If you think wood paneling is old school or just a passing craze, think again! When done right, wood paneling can look highly stylish and add unlimited texture to your rooms, giving them a cozy and comforting feel. After all, any trend, new or old, can be made trendy and contemporary with the right attitude, professional help, and a keen eye for design. 

Based on how you intend to utilize your space and whether you want it to feel bright and airy or warm and inviting, there are a lot of lovely ways to use wood paneling to upgrade your home. Whether you’re updating existing walls or adding wood panels to your home for the first time, here are ten fantastic ideas to elevate your home decor to the next level.

Top 10 Wood Paneling Makeover & Maintenance Ideas

1) 3D Decorative walls

Combining wooden wall panels with architectural wall panels requires careful planning. You not only need to come up with a detailed strategy to avoid over-decorating, but you must also select suitable materials to match your unique needs.  Acrylic, gypsum, MDF, metal, glass, and resin are some of the materials you can choose from.

Traffic noises coupled with the loud construction projects in your neighborhood and the general clamor of modern life make soundproofing a top priority for both your home and office spaces. Fortunately, high-quality acoustic fiber and felt can offer robust noise-dampening solutions and allow you to enjoy a peaceful life.

However, soundproofing interior wall panels doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. In fact, you can make a subtle yet memorable design statement by combining acoustic designer wall panels with dated wooden wall panels. Moreover, acoustic 3D wall panels are usually available in a wide variety of colors and have a wonderful texture that appeals to both your visual and tactile senses.

They come in geometric shapes and can be easily mounted on existing wall panels without any demolition or surface preparation. Furthermore, they are inexpensive and easy to maintain. Clearly, choosing acoustic 3D decorative wall panels is a win-win situation on all ends.

2) Apply a Coat of Varnish

If you feel like the wooden panels in your house have seen better days, don’t be alarmed! You can breathe new life into them by following a few simple steps. First, use a wood cleaning solution to clean them, and then wipe them dry with a soft cloth. Now, sand it down and use a soft brush to remove the dust. After this, you should wipe down the panels with mineral turpentine to eliminate any remaining dust or residue. After the panels are completely dry, don’t forget to apply a coat of varnish. In fact, if needed, apply a second layer too.

3) Apply Compound to the Joints

You can make your old wooden panels look better by filling in the joints and cracks with a compound. There are numerous joint filling chemicals available on the market. Although black-colored compounds provide the best contrast, you can also use different colors. 

First, wash the panel with a wood cleaning solution to remove dirt. Then, using a fine-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the grooves and wipe away the residue with a soft cloth. Apply the joint compound and sand it smooth once again. This will give your old wooden panel a fresh new look. You might also use colored ropes that are the same size as the grooves to add a stylish, new element to your old wooden panel.

4) Add Marble

Adding a marble detail to a section of the wooden panel gives it a more luxurious feel. Marbles can also be used to replace a section of the panel. This way, the marble detail will become the focal point, and you can use it to tie your home decor together, giving your house a more harmonious look. This can also be done with faux agate, which will result in an exceptional wall panel owing to its remarkable construction style.

5) Make Sure Your Wood Panels Are Clean

If you’ve recently bought a house with wood paneling that is over 50 years old, there is a high chance that though the panel is still functional, it looks worn out and dusty. Fortunately, you don’t have to dismantle and redo everything. Instead, if you know the right way to clean wood panels, you can have them looking bright, shiny, and new again in no time.

As mentioned above, always choose a wood cleaning solution over a dishwasher or detergent when cleaning wood panels. Dissolve the solution in a pail of warm water and begin scrubbing in circular motions. Wash the walls twice to remove all the dust and residue that have accumulated over time. However, do not leave the panels wet for an extended period of time. Wipe them down immediately with a soft towel and restore the panels to their former glory.

6) Use White Paint

White is a classic color that can bring any wood-paneled wall to life. White painting can add a timeless elegance to any beadboard wood paneling. It also gives you the freedom to be more daring with the color scheme on the other half of the wall or to go all out with a beautiful wallpaper. 

A coat of white paint on fully paneled walls can rapidly transform your walls into something resembling stylish shiplap walls with rustic farmhouse or beach cottage vibes.

7) Details Should Be Preserved

Paneling with knots is a good choice for whitewashing. If the wood is of good quality, keeping the details will make it more aesthetically pleasing.

8) Embrace the Cottage Style

White-painted wood paneling can offer a rustic yet chic appeal to your cottage decor. If you want a more boho vibe to your space, try adding patterned cushions to the decor. White paint will also make it easier for your to customize your home to match your style.

9) Make It Darker

If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can paint your wood panels in a deeper hue to make them more eye-catching. But avoid going overboard with the colors. Grey and grey-blue paint work best with wood paneling. 

10) Contrasts

If you have built-in bookcases in your home, painting the back wall can give the shelf a more modern look. You can even coordinate the color to complement the decor on the shelves. You can also include an accent color behind the shelves and match it with similar colored wall paint and interior decor elements that will tie the whole look together.

If you’re looking for expert help with painting wood panels, contact the team at Bob Kunst Painting today for professional services you can count on.