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Paint Design Dilemma dining room

Should I paint real wood paneling?

6 years ago

My dining room has three walls with wood paneling in a rather blond color and one wall is all brick. I am thinking about painting over the wood to get a lighter look. I am hesitant to paint the wood since there is no going back. My kitchen opens to the dining room and it is painted and an olive green and the sun room off the dining room is Sherwin Williams Cottage Cream on one wall and the trim around the sliders is also the wood paneling. Should I paint over the wood and if so what color would you recommend?

Featured Answer

phuninthesun

6 years ago

Either remove the wood or paint it. The natural wood look really dates the house.

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Comments (16)

PRO
Paint sales at Home Depot
6 years ago
The room is definitely OD'ed on wood!
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Should I paint this wood paneling?
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I can't tell from the photo but if that is good quality paneling original to the house I would leave it alone and let the buyer decide what to do with it. When you show the house maybe put white wicker furniture in the solarium room with some bright colors for accents. If that is cheapy paneling from the '70s, can you remove it without doing damage to the walls? Be careful with this one though......Sometimes paneling was put up to cover water damage or to cover wallpaper. Ask you real estate agent about removing the dry bar. In some neighborhoods a rec room with a dry bar is a plus. Personally I would remove it. Or let buyers know you are willing to take it with you or leave it for them so they don't assume they are stuck with it and the task of hauling it out if they don't want it.
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Thank you for the input. It looks like a split decision - so I could cut the panel in half and do cherry and SS - just kidding of course. I do appreciate the feedback and lots of pearls of wisdom. Badger - since we still have a punch list - the kitchen is not finished, so doesn't qualify as a remodel yet... Good to hear from my internet sister. Andrea, Spanish, MGoBlue, Anna, and others - the DW is a Miele and the rep said it should last 20 years (LOL) and it is now 3-4 years old. The good news is that I can just take off the SS panel and store it for future use if needed. The KD is coming on Friday to help resolve the punch list issues (not all her fault that this is taking long - I kept running away for consulting gigs and visiting DM). When she comes, I can ask about color change - I also still have the sample cabinet piece, so can see how it compares. GW - love the color of your cabinets - and nice DW picture! Palim, Sparkling and any one else that I missed - thanks for your input. Stay tuned :-)
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My living area is exposed with 1x10 planks. I painted them white, but no caulk. I plan on caulking, filling knot holes, etc. and repainting to make it look more "refined." Expansion/contraction is always present in wood, but should not be a huge concern in a conditioned space. You mentioned panels: Is this solid wood or plywood? Plywood is even less likely to be an issue. Lastly, as mentioned, use a high-quality caulk: Price is proportional to quality. Some sealants allow for 150% elongation, which is insane for interior applications. And, don't forget to prime the joint BEFORE caulking. Good Luck!
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I would not suggest chalk painting anything. Don’t destroy those pieces. If necessary, sell them - and get some unfinished and/or cheap pieces to chalk paint, etc. or get some pieces that are more in line with your current style. And yes, a more minimal approach to the China/crystal display would be more in line with your style. I grew up in New York City, in an 8 bedroom house, built in 1910 - house was full of antiques from all over the world, some of furnishings were shipped from Italy, etc. My father was in shipping. My mother was an artist, from Australia - and she actually grew up on a farm. I say all of this to say: Unless you happen to live on a farm that is very interested in maintaining a more meager + rustic sensibility - don’t be so limited in your thinking that you would pass on and/or consider destroying quality heirloom pieces for a design trend. For I can tell you that the pieces that you have would surely be considered treasures and held in high esteem by many real farmers in actual/real farmhouses.
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D M PNW
6 years ago
For me, the scalloped valence and the wall to wall carpet are more dated than the wood walls.
torreykm
6 years ago
Paint it.
acm
6 years ago
Another vote to paint it. It will really brighten the room, and the panelling doesn't look all that spiffy, so I wouldn't feel too guilty. Enjoy!
PRO
Paint sales at Home Depot
6 years ago
You could also paint it and then put a light glaze over it to add interest.
groveraxle
6 years ago
I agree with Diana. This looks like it could be a cool mid century modern house. The brick and the wood are the best things about it.
groveraxle
6 years ago

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phuninthesun
6 years ago
I agree with Diana Mears re the valances. I would remove them from all of the rooms. Also, a shaded dining room lamp as groveraxle shows would really update the look.
cpartist
6 years ago
The wood is luan which is nothing special. Paint it.
lefty47
6 years ago
HI -- The wood has been there for a long time ... it has done it's time and is now very out dated . Removing it is the best thing to do . Then paint the room a nice creamy white.
niecie
6 years ago
Paint it! I painted over 40 yr old yellow pine in a SW cream color (can't recall the color sorry) and it had a cottage look and was beautiful, didn't reget it at all.

Agreed, the valances look a bit outdated, I would remove them. Love your plantation blinds, they're a keeper!
A V
6 years ago
I vote no to painting. This house seems to have modern looking wood panelling. I actually like it. I would modernize the furniture, window treatments, etc instead.

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pat1250
6 years ago
Work with the wood walls......no paint.
Vickie
Original Author
4 years ago
UPDATE We did it! Painted out the old paneling. The balances are gone and the rooms are SO much brighter and airy.
Vickie
Original Author
4 years ago
Forgot the after photos

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