Many people hate wooden paneling in their home, it looks so old and dated. However it's very expensive which prevents most people being able to replace it. You will find yourself getting to a point when you just can't bear the ugly paneling any more. Lots of people have even considered selling their home just so that they can get as far away as possible from the paneling! There are millions of people that have wooden paneling in their home but wish that they didn't. There are some simple ways to prevent this being such of a problem.

The list below looks at a few possible suggestions which can be used to draw attention away from the wooden paneling.

Painting

One of the easiest methods is to paint the paneling. When you are painting the paneling it is important to note that you can't just coat it in paint and hope it to look nice, just slapping paint about will result in tacky results. The paneling will need several coats to stop the wood from showing through. Ensure that the paint matches all drapery patterns, furniture, and floor coverings.

As always the key here is to prepare before starting work. It's important to prepare the surface, start by cleaning the paneling with household cleaners to remove any dirt and grease. You should also use a gloss removing solution which should be applied in small areas. Now you are ready to apply the primer over all of the surfaces, if the wood is still showing through then you should let the base coat dry and put another coat of primer on.

Wallpaper

Another option is to buy some wallpaper which can be painted. Most of this wallpaper is textured which will give a nice unique look to your wall. It's a good idea if you can choose a color to banish the dingy wooden paneling from your room forever. It's possible to add more than one color to make the effect 3D. You should start by cleaning the wall with a degreaser. Use caulking to fill all of the gaps so that the panels are level. Then use primer so that the wallpaper can easily stick to the paneling. Read the directions on the wallpaper packet so that it is installed correctly. You should start by soaking the paper in water for a couple of minutes and then sticking it to the wall.

Glazing

Yet another possibility is to make the panels shiny with the use of a glaze. You first need to degrease the panels and then add the color that you want. Allow it enough time to dry and then coat it with a glaze. Make sure you read the instructions carefully so that you mix everything in the right proportions. When you have finished you should clean your brush using mineral oils and then let it dry overnight before you put them away.