There are various ways to treat and modify preexisting wood paneling in a home. Although potentially time-consuming, an easy option many lean on is painting over the paneling. While painting will bring life to what might be outdated wood paneling, it is important to note that the results are permanent. This fact might put a sour taste in peoples’ mouths because they know that they could easily want to update the walls again at some point in the future.
This might prompt some to look into decorating wood paneling without painting. If this still doesn’t line up with your visions, consider removing and replacing the wood paneling with modern wood wall paneling. After all, modernizing old wood paneling is rapidly becoming a popular decorating technique.
Wood paneling was an incredibly popular stylish choice during the 1950s through the 1970s. While it might be outdated now, if done correctly, it has the power to bring a new level of depth and warmth to a living room. Depending on how it is modified, it can create the sense of a more formal living room or a rustic wood cabin. The options are truly limitless, depending on the desired outcome.
While modernizing wood paneling might not appeal to certain homeowners, properly decorating preexisting wood paneling in a living room is a viable option that can yield wonderful results if it is done correctly.
Here are some ideas for decorating a living room with preexisting wood paneling:
Make a Statement
Wood panels, when decorated correctly, can be chic and elegant although there might be a stigma surrounding paneling. After all, when most people hear of wood paneling, they instantly picture a house straight out of the seventies that is outdated, ominous, dark, and gloomy.
It doesn’t have to be that way. A space with wood paneling can be modern, elegant, inviting, warm, and the talk of many conversations at your next gatherings.
Feel free to think outside of the box. Think about incorporating a statement piece into your living room. Play around with the furniture and decor in the room.
The key here is to incorporate pieces that make a statement and capture the attention of anyone walking into the room. By pulling the attention to that object, the wood paneling blends into the background, becoming a complementary stylistic choice to the statement piece.
Add a bold art piece to your wall, or multiple interesting works. Build a collage of photos or opt for a vibrant-colored and textured couch. You could even incorporate a statement coffee table or corner chair into the room; a faux plant is another option to consider. Some people also choose to install shelves into the wood paneling and create a mini library.
As you can see, the options are endless. Have fun and play with ideas around colors, textures, and items. The bolder, the better.
Amplify It
If you don’t want to incorporate bold statement pieces into your living room, consider leaning into the wood paneling. Add decor and furniture that compliments the wood paneling. A brown leather couch can help tie into the overall aesthetic and color palette of wood paneling or incorporate a coffee table or shelves that are made of natural wood.
If you can’t cover up the wood paneling, bring it to the foreground and find ways to create a perfect balance in the room.
Light It Up
Add warm light bulbs to your lamps and lighting fixtures. The warmth found in these colors will amplify the warmth found in the wood paneling to create a warm environment. It will instantly brighten the room, and take away any cool tones that might create a dark and outdated feel.
You might want to consider adding more light fixtures to the room. If your budget allows, adding recessed lighting can help brighten the space and add a livelier ambiance. If this is not feasible, adding lamps is another way to go.
