We are officially on our search for our new dream home. Just turns out, the exact house we are envisioning is that brand new, 3000 square foot contemporary home on a two acre lot with mature trees next to a grassy dog park. So we’ll have to make just a feeeeewwww concessions. While the potential concessions vary from house to house, Raj’s (and my) clear aversion to wood paneling and late 70′s wallpaper sparked a spiraling argument which included the word “embarrassing” referring to both what our family and friends would think (Raj) and my public outburst at this statement (also Raj). However, I knew he had a point. We were used to an updated home and he couldn’t quite picture us living in a space that seemed rough around the edges. Of course, I was more excited about the actual amount of space and glossed over the labor involved in taking down either paper or paneling. (The places were affordable partly because of this pain-in-the-butt wallpaper – shouldn’t we look at this as an opportunity?!) 
Well it is certainly doable. It is also possible to remove the paneling however, it would likely require hanging new sheetrock and removing/replacing the trim if not more extensive efforts if the paneling was glued directly to the wall (rather than nailed to the studs). But painting it is quite a process – and this is not including the steps to fill in the gaps to ultimately make it appear as though it is simply basic drywall. Check out the steps to repaint wood paneling on the diy network.
Sherry at Young House Love makes painting wood paneling and brick look beautiful and sound quite simple (she doesn’t insist upon extensive sanding or prepping). She is a woman with extensive experience in handling a renovation so I don’t feel quite so equipped. Check out these samples of her handiwork – it looks so elegant you must see the before photos on her blog.
So what are our thoughts going forward? First, avoid paneling if at all possible. Even painted paneling is not something we’d love to have in our finished dream home. From there, weigh the cost and labor involved in painting/replacing it into our overall decision. It’s not necessarily a deal breaker, but unfortunately those houses that have wood paneling seem to have a host of other age-related issues that would require much more attention. So for now, we’re leaving that lovely house with all of the space, great yard and the rockin bar in the basement for someone a bit more handy around the house… in the meantime, for anyone who dares to paint, Sherry makes it all seem doable and, based on her incredible results, I’d follow her advice!
Do you have any tips for updating paneling or wallpaper? Please share!
Country Living, Apartment Therapy, and Young House Love photos.
