If your home feels like it got suck in the 70’s because of the wood paneling on the wall, you have probably had several dreams or ripping it out. However, that can get quite pricey. Luckily for you, there are a few ways to make your home fresh that don’t involve quite as much work.
Paint or Whitewash
One of the easiest ways to freshen up any room is a good coat of paint. Many design experts agree that by painting your wood paneling white you bring new life to your room. It also gives it that cottage- feel that so many homeowners are after. If just plain white paint sounds a bit boring you can also opt to whitewash them. To create this look all you have to do is water down your paint. This causes the wood grains to show through and give a nice modern rustic feel.
Turn the Wood Panels into Regular Walls
So instead of ripping out the wood paneling to replace it with regular drywall, you will use drywall to disguise your wood paneling. This process requires a little more work and patience. If you get some drywall compound at a local home improvement store, you can use it to fill in the cracks your wood paneling creates. Once you sand, prime, and paint you should end up with walls that don’t remind you of wood paneling.
Cover Up & Hide
Another great solution to updating your wood paneling is to simply cover them up with art and shelves. By creating a gallery wall, with art hung salon-style, large mirror, and/or sculptures can distract from the wood paneling. You can also cover up your walls with shelving, bookshelves, or ceiling to floor curtains can also get the job done.
At the end of the day, there are several ways to get the look you desire!