Easy paneling update

If you live in a house that was built before 1980ish,

chances are that you have wood paneling in one or more rooms in your house.

I know some of you may cringe at the sight of paneling, 

but I believe that what is an eyesore for some, 

can be updated for very little money and time.

You have probably have heard of painted paneling,

but here are some tips, ideas and projects to turn paneling into something beautiful.

Let's start with our main bathroom.

Project here

This paneling was the "old" kind, 

somewhat glossy.

BEFORE

I washed it with water (you won't believe how dusty walls can get...paneling or drywall alike).

Then I used a 

high bonding primer such as Zinzer, 1-2-3 primer and so on. 

These kind of primers will stick to anything.

I then picked a color for my room (I suggest you go with a light color for the paneling).

If your paneling is dark, as most are, then it will take 2 to 3 coats of paint.

The here is what we did in what once was the girls bedroom, now a homeschool room.

Beadboard wallpaper over wood paneling.

Follow the steps below to do this.

Project here

Lately I painted the "half wall" paneling in our landing area.

This was a newer kind of paneling...which did not seem to be real wood at all.

In fact, I know it wasn't real wood.

For this project I used a high hiding primer mixed with plaster of paris.

Kind of like a homemade chalk paint.

Then I gave it 2 coats of off white paint.

I finished this up with a paste wax for high durability and little shin.

This is the same product we used on our kitchen cabinets. 

Highly recommend this, and inexpensive.

paste wax used

Finally our bedroom walls were done the same way of our bathroom.

Project here

And that's all the paneling we have. lol

Projects on a budget.

Stay Frugal,

Daniela