Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

What have you done and how did it work out? TIA!

ETA: What color paint have you seen work well? TIA!

Message edited 10/7/2011 2:14:13 AM.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

My parents painted over their paneling years ago, and it came out very nice. I don't know if you can wall paper it if it's not completely smooth.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

The family room in our house had painted paneling when we bought it and it looks fine. Just wish they would've left some extra paint for touch ups.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

I've seen it painted over and looks very nice

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

we had it throughout our entire house. we took it all out and replaced the drywall.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

I have one room in my house that has painted over paneling. I was always going to gut it oneday, but odddly enough I got so many compliments on that room it is not even funny. I left it for now.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

we painted over paneling in my mom's house and i thought it actually looked nice, the wall had a nice texture to it!

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

I have paneling in 2 bedrooms. We painted over it and it looks fine.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

when we bought our house...the foyer had panted panelling...it looked okay. we gutted it last year and replaced with box moulding and crown moulding...it looks one million times better.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

I'd either paint over it or take it down. I've seen it painted over and it looks good. Guess its more your personal preference. If I had it I'd prob take it down before I painted over it though.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

I just painted my paneling and I LOVE it... here's some inspiration for you:





And this is the color I painted it...I wanted my house to have a bit of a organic country feel anyway and I feel like the painted paneling really added to it:

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

I think painted paneling can really change the look of a room. You should also look into skim coating. I was skeptical at first, but we did it in my family room, and it came out great! Looks just like sheetrock and has held up well for 3 years now (no cracks). Just make sure you get someone who knows what they are doing! But it's a lot easier than tearing down the walls and re-doing the sheetrock.

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

We painted the panelling in 3 rooms of our house because the panelling was glued onto the sheetrock and re-sheetrocking would have been such a big ordeal. I am happy with how it came out. My bedroom especially is kinda a "shabby chic" look and so the painted panelling looks great!

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?

my mom painted over all the paneling in her house when she bought it years ago and it looks fine. if you really don't like the look i would just get a really thin piece of sheetrock and put it over it. you don't know how the paneling was put on, with nails, glue or even both and if you pull it down it will ruin the walls! good luck!!

Re: Paneling - Paint over, wall paper over or gut?