Page 31 - Indulge December/January 2015
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ITALIZING
PANELED ROOMS
Paneling is a low-cost way to cover problem walls. lieu of tearing
In the 1960s and 1970s, paneling was very popular. down the walls DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015 • INDULGE | 31
Sold in large panels, paneling was relatively easy and putting up
to hang, and quickly became a staple of dens and new drywall, the
finished basements. liner will cover
imperfections. Many
But few of today’s homeowners are enamored with of these products can be painted directly
the look of faux wood paneling. Those who purchase and may not require priming beforehand. This
homes that have paneling on the walls often search can be great for homeowners whose goal is to cover
for ways to transform the look of rooms in which the paneling quickly and easily.
walls are covered in paneling. While paneling does go
up quickly, removing it may not be as simple. Explore Those who prefer a patterned look on the walls
these options for giving paneled walls a new look. can opt to cover paneling with a printed wallpaper.
However, depending on the thickness of the wallpaper,
PAINT OVER THE PANELING this may be a two-step process. You may need to fill
in the creases between the panels first, or first use a
The fastest way to breathe new life into a paneled thick wallpaper liner to create a seamless surface.
room is to paint over the paneling. The texture of
the paneling will show from beneath, giving the CUT THE PANELING
room appeal without the dark hue of the wood or
veneer panels. Consult with a paint store or home If you desire a cottage or country look in a room,
improvement center to determine the most effective remove half of the paneling, leaving the bottom
way to cover up paneling with paint. Sometimes it portion intact. Then place molding or a chair rail
is wise to lightly scuff the paneling with a fine-grit where you made your cut, creating a wainscoting
sandpaper so that the paint will adhere. Shiny or effect. The top portion of the wall can be painted,
glossed paneling can be dulled with a de-glossing while the bottom portion can be left as the wood color
product. Sometimes a combination of a thick primer or painted a complementary color.
and color will grip the paneling and reduce the
number of coats needed to cover it. Also, invest in a REMOVE THE PANELING
high-quality, professional-grade paint. It may cost a
bit more, but such paint will be well worth it when it The most labor-intensive way to give a paneled
glides over the paneling, covering it completely. If you room a new look is to remove the paneling. Pry at a
don’t want the grooves showing between the panels, portion of the paneling in an inconspicuous spot in
fill them in with spackle and sand down to create a the room to determine which method was used to
smooth surface before painting. install the paneling. Some people only tack it into
place with small, finishing nails, while others glue
COVER THE PANELING the paneling to the wall for a secure installation. Glue
will be much more difficult to remove and could
Covering up the paneling is another tactic. further damage the walls and paneling in the process.
Rather than coating the wall in paint, consider a If the paneling is too difficult to remove, covering or
wallpaper liner. Liners are essentially a thick, plain painting it may be a smarter option. Small nails can
be removed by pulling at the panels. Spackle holes
wallpaper that is applied on top before painting over the walls.
of the paneling or used when
dealing with damaged walls. In — Metro Creative Connection
...few of today’s homeowners are enamored with the look of faux wood
paneling. Those who purchase homes that have paneling on the walls
often search for ways to transform the look...
PANELED ROOMS
Paneling is a low-cost way to cover problem walls. lieu of tearing
In the 1960s and 1970s, paneling was very popular. down the walls DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015 • INDULGE | 31
Sold in large panels, paneling was relatively easy and putting up
to hang, and quickly became a staple of dens and new drywall, the
finished basements. liner will cover
imperfections. Many
But few of today’s homeowners are enamored with of these products can be painted directly
the look of faux wood paneling. Those who purchase and may not require priming beforehand. This
homes that have paneling on the walls often search can be great for homeowners whose goal is to cover
for ways to transform the look of rooms in which the paneling quickly and easily.
walls are covered in paneling. While paneling does go
up quickly, removing it may not be as simple. Explore Those who prefer a patterned look on the walls
these options for giving paneled walls a new look. can opt to cover paneling with a printed wallpaper.
However, depending on the thickness of the wallpaper,
PAINT OVER THE PANELING this may be a two-step process. You may need to fill
in the creases between the panels first, or first use a
The fastest way to breathe new life into a paneled thick wallpaper liner to create a seamless surface.
room is to paint over the paneling. The texture of
the paneling will show from beneath, giving the CUT THE PANELING
room appeal without the dark hue of the wood or
veneer panels. Consult with a paint store or home If you desire a cottage or country look in a room,
improvement center to determine the most effective remove half of the paneling, leaving the bottom
way to cover up paneling with paint. Sometimes it portion intact. Then place molding or a chair rail
is wise to lightly scuff the paneling with a fine-grit where you made your cut, creating a wainscoting
sandpaper so that the paint will adhere. Shiny or effect. The top portion of the wall can be painted,
glossed paneling can be dulled with a de-glossing while the bottom portion can be left as the wood color
product. Sometimes a combination of a thick primer or painted a complementary color.
and color will grip the paneling and reduce the
number of coats needed to cover it. Also, invest in a REMOVE THE PANELING
high-quality, professional-grade paint. It may cost a
bit more, but such paint will be well worth it when it The most labor-intensive way to give a paneled
glides over the paneling, covering it completely. If you room a new look is to remove the paneling. Pry at a
don’t want the grooves showing between the panels, portion of the paneling in an inconspicuous spot in
fill them in with spackle and sand down to create a the room to determine which method was used to
smooth surface before painting. install the paneling. Some people only tack it into
place with small, finishing nails, while others glue
COVER THE PANELING the paneling to the wall for a secure installation. Glue
will be much more difficult to remove and could
Covering up the paneling is another tactic. further damage the walls and paneling in the process.
Rather than coating the wall in paint, consider a If the paneling is too difficult to remove, covering or
wallpaper liner. Liners are essentially a thick, plain painting it may be a smarter option. Small nails can
be removed by pulling at the panels. Spackle holes
wallpaper that is applied on top before painting over the walls.
of the paneling or used when
dealing with damaged walls. In — Metro Creative Connection
...few of today’s homeowners are enamored with the look of faux wood
paneling. Those who purchase homes that have paneling on the walls
often search for ways to transform the look...
