Do you have wood paneling in your home, but arenโt quite sure how to make it look better?
Maybe youโve thought about painting it, but werenโt sure how to even start.
Iโve got good news, friendโwith a little DIY, you can completely brighten up your space in no time. And the best part? This is a budget-friendly update that doesnโt require ripping anything out.
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Why We Chose to Paint Our Wood Paneling
When we first moved into our 1960s home, we immediately knew one thing, our space needed to feel brighter.
The wood paneling made everything feel dark and dated, especially in our hallway. Replacing it just wasnโt in the budget at the time, so painting it became one of the very first projects on our to-do list.
And honestly? It made a bigger difference than I ever expected.
๐ ๏ธ Step 1: Sanding Your Wood Paneling
Because we had so much paneling, this part was very time-consuming, but itโs also one of the most important steps.
Most wood paneling has a slick, almost shiny finish, so if you donโt sand it down, your paint wonโt stick properly.
We used:
- 120-grit sandpaper
- An inexpensive orbital sander
This helped rough up the surface just enough for the primer to really grab onto.
Just a heads upโthis process is messy.
Likeโฆ dust everywhere.
Hereโs what helped us:
- Opening doors and windows for ventilation
- Using large plastic drop cloths to cover furniture, TV, etc.
- Taking breaks (because it will wear you out)
Once we finished sanding:
- We vacuumed up as much dust as possible
- Then used a damp mop/cloth to wipe down the walls and floors
Make sure everything is completely dry before moving on.
๐งฑ Step 2: Priming Is SO Important
If thereโs one step you donโt want to rush, itโs this one.
The primer we used for this project was Valspar Interior/Exterior Bonding Primer, and weโve used it on multiple projects throughout our home (even our countertops!).
For our paneling:
- We applied 2 full coats of primer on the walls
Our trim was darker than the paneling, so:
- We did 3 coats of primer on the trim
This made a huge difference in coverage and helped block out the darker tones underneath.
Make sure to let each coat dry before applying the next one. It takes time, but itโs worth it.
๐จ Step 3: The Fun Part โ Painting!
This is where everything finally starts coming together.
What we used:
- Purdy Premium 6-piece paint kit
- 3โ Purdy angled brush
- Painterโs tape
- Extension pole (not necessary, but super helpful)
Originally, we chose Agreeable Gray for our walls.
Itโs such a beautiful neutral and worked really well with our home decor at the time.
For painting:
- We applied 2 coats of paint on the paneling
- For the trim, we used a semi-gloss white and did 2โ3 coats depending on coverage
Honestly, when it comes to painting paneling, you really canโt go wrong with an extra coat if needed.
๐ Real-Life Update: We Painted It Again
Okayโฆ real life moment.
After living with Agreeable Gray for a while, I started wanting something even brighter.
So yesโฆ we painted it all over again ๐
This time, we went with Alabaster White.
For the doors and trim we used Accessible Beige.
And Iโm not even kiddingโit completely changed the feel of our home.
It made everything:
- Feel more open
- Look cleaner
- Reflect light so much better
If youโre debating between a darker neutral and a soft white, I will say from experienceโฆ I personally love the brighter look now.
๐ก Step 4: Enjoy Your Painted Wood Paneling
Once everything is dry and cured, you can finally step back and enjoy your work.
This is one of those DIY projects that:
- Makes a HUGE visual impact
- Costs way less than replacing paneling
- Gives your home a fresh, updated feel
And the best part? You did it yourself.
๐ Quick Recap
Prep:
- Sand paneling (120 grit)
- Clean thoroughly
- 2 coats of primer (3 for dark trim)
Paint:
- 2 coats on walls
- 2โ3 coats on trim
Let everything dry completely before decorating.
If youโve been thinking about painting your wood paneling, this is your sign to go for it.
And if you have any questions, feel free to leave a commentโIโm always happy to help ๐ค
โจ Before and After
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