skip to main content

living room Paint

Paint paneling trim a different color or same color for entire room?

5 years ago

We just bought a house and I'm trying to decide how to re-paint the wood paneling in the living room. I know I want to use BM Intense White on the main part of the wall (and throughout most of the main living areas) but can't decide whether the entire room should be one color or I should paint the trim BM Decorator White to break it up a bit. The previous owners painted the trim a darker color than the wall and so its difficult for me to picture the opposite! Also, paint fireplace or leave it alone? I'm leaning toward the latter.

Featured Answer

Lil S

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I would paint the walls one color and leave the fireplace.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

cat_ky
5 years ago
Leave the fireplace. It fits in the room. Is that actually paneling, or did someone just frame in parts of the wall over the sheetrock? If that is what was done, I would consider removing all that trim on the walls, fill in the nail holes, sand it and prime it and paint the walls, all a solid color. All that trim and framing are way too busy. Once you get furniture in the room, it seems to me, it would look over busy and not very nice. Nice sized room. Nice fireplace and floors.
Juniper L
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for your response. It's actual wood paneling, so can't remove it (and I actually like the two dimensional look) but your comment about it looking busy as is makes sense, especially since there will be a very colorful Persian rug on the floor. I think I'll just paint it all the same, light color. That'll definitely make it easier to paint as well. Thank you!
Related Discussions
Keeping paneling; What color to paint trim?
Q
Comments (4)
Is it light or dark paneling? We had "pickled gray" in our bedroom here, but when we were taking it down so we could rerun some wiring (we were going to put it back up and paint it) we found mold behind it from water leakage. So we did the "plywood paneling" thing instead, and painted that white. I think the lighter paneling could support beiges and lighter earthy tones where the darker would be more chocolates and deeper colors. Our neighbor's house has REALLY dark walnut like faux paneling, and I can't imagine many lighter colors would compliment it at all. Their place is pure 1970's so everything is oranges and browns with it now. Personally though, if it was a rental I was looking to get tenants for, I'd paint the paneling to give the place a more updated and fresh feeling. Most people equate the sheet paneling to old and dated and worn, and it might effect the rent you can get, or maybe just the tenant base.
...See More
Paint ceiling/walls and trim same colour but flat or eggshell?
Q
Comments (3)
Not weird at all. Actually gives just the right amount of subtle variation. Walls: flat or sateen/velvet(depending on how a paint company calls it) or eggshell(depending on the room-kitchens/bathrooms/kids' rooms/dens are doing better with higher sheen level). Woodwork: semi gloss. Ceilings: flat (you can go also high gloss if you wish and if the architecture supports it but it should be done by highly skilled professional, and usually is prohibitively expensive)
...See More
Different trim/door color in different rooms?
Q
Comments (5)
The one thing I know about Pro Classic is it is best to let a professional painter use it. My painter was telling me that it dries so fast, that going back to touch up a missed spot is almost impossible. He thinks it is the best paint for cabinets and trim, but you have to work fast and know what you are doing. Put it on eBay….someone will want a $70.00 can of paint at discount.
...See More
Red Brick, White Partial Paneling/Trim - Need Help with Paint Colors
Q
Comments (6)
Yes to removing the shutters. A house in my neighborhood had red brick similar to yours with white trim, I was amazed how good it looked when the white was painted a light tan (or beige). If you don't want to paint the columns and gutters, how about a color that echos the roof?
...See More
cat_ky
5 years ago

All the same color should work just fine. It will stop it from looking so busy and allow you to use a lot of colorful accessories.
Juniper L
Original Author
5 years ago
That's a gorgeous room! Makes me consider using super white paint. In any case, using one color and not painting the fireplace is going to make things a lot easier, so I'm glad that's the consensus!
Debbie Downer
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Another vote for paint out the wall trim (include door and window trim) and leave the fireplace. Youll still get some architectural interest from the door /wall/window trim, itll just be more subtle & less in your face.
Terri Lewis
2 years ago
Do you have a photo of the finished product? I’m trying to decide what to do with my paneling trim as well.
Izzy Mn
2 years ago
Add a white mantle to the fireplace to break up the brick. Or a stained one, depending on your decor. One can be attached to the brick.

Related Stories

PAINTING Knotty to Nice: Painted Wood Paneling Lightens a Room's Look

By No. 29 Design

Children ran from the scary dark walls in this spare room, but white paint and new flooring put fears and style travesties to rest

REMODELING GUIDES Tongue and Groove Wall Paneling Joins the Comeback Club

By Rachel Grace

Try this smooth architectural move to give your walls a streamlined appearance that conveys quality

DECORATING GUIDES Beautiful Details: Wainscoting and Paneled Walls

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Paneled Walls Add Substance and Style to Both Modern and Traditional Homes

How to Update Cozy Wood Paneling

By Natalie Myers

See how to give fresh life to once-retro woodsy wall coverings

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Ways to Paint Your Trim Fantastic, From Classic to Fearless

By Samantha Schoech

Give your rooms an edge with a trim treatment that shows attention to detail

DECORATING GUIDES Hand-Painted Wallpaper Brings High-End Artistry to Rooms

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Exquisite papers painted in glorious detail turn blank walls into expressive canvases conjuring luxury

COLOR Paint Your Bookcases to Transform Your Room

By Laura Gaskill

Give your shelves some color for a whole new look. Here are 10 examples, from subtle to bold, and some styling tips to try

COLOR 8 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Trim Black

By Mitchell Parker

Hide imperfections, energize a space, highlight a view and more with a little bit of darkness that goes a long way

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS Room of the Day: A New Art Studio Paints a Perfect Picture

By Mitchell Parker

After painting in spare bedrooms and garages for years, Elise Marshall finally has an art studio that inspires her

TRIM What Color Should You Paint Your Trim?

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Learn the benefits of painting your trim white, black, neutral, a bold color and more

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Exterior paint ideas needed

1

Need Advice on Stair Tread and Railing Color

0

Color Search between BM Vanilla Milkshake and BM Dune White.

2

Help me choose a white BM paint color for my neutral bathroom please!

2

opinions on two tone exterior

1