Painting wood paneling is a common way to refresh your space, but the paint hides the natural texture and charm of the wood. When the paint chips or peels over time, it's challenging to restore the wood's original wood. So, how to you make wood paneling look good without painting? This article suggests 9 creative tips to transform the wood easily. Check it out now!
1. Add Lights
Lights can brighten your space, especially when you use dark wood paneling. The contrast adds depth to the space, allowing both the lights and the paneling to shine.
WoodyWalls offers indoor accent lighting kits to assist you with this task. Our LED strips are stick-and-peel for fast installation with their 3M adhesive backing. You'll also appreciate the great illumination with 480 LEDs per meter. Plus, you can choose from three color options—warm white, cool white, and natural white—to create the perfect atmosphere for your space.
2. Install Wainscoting
Wainscoting adds a classic touch and breaks up the wall, making it feel more inviting. It works by covering the lower portion of the walls. When seated, your eyes naturally align with the wainscot's height. You will feel like you are surrounded by the texture and color. You can learn more about wainscoting and its impressive benefits.
Wainscoting allows you to customize your decor with molding, caps, and trims. Otherwise, keep it natural for a rustic feel. You can also change the height. While traditional wainscoting covers the lower third of the wall, feel free to adjust it for a modern or dramatic effect.
3. Try Shiplap
Instead of decorating or painting old wood paneling, you can use shiplap wall panels as a fresh alternative. As the shiplap already looks fun and attractive, you don't have to think about how to enhance its appearance.
Shiplap has overlapping boards that have a clean look. You can install a horizontal shiplap to make your room feel more expansive or go vertical for a taller effect.
Vertical wood boards also help establish a more elegant atmosphere. Learn how to install vertical shiplap.
You can use vertical or horizontal shiplap
4. Create Geometric Patterns
A plain wood wall may seem dull, but you can use the wood panel to create geometric patterns to break up the uniform look. The unique patterns then serve as a unique design element, making the wall engaging without needing paint.
You just need to cut the panels and attach them to the wall. Then, feel free to experiment with different patterns until you find your favorite. For a modern look, try herringbone patterns. And if you prefer a timeless feel, consider a chevron parquet.
5. Cover with Artwork
Photos, paintings, or prints add color to your space. Large statement pieces act as a focal point in your living room. You can also add more artwork pieces to form a gallery wall right in your home.
To style the artwork, choose the one that complements the wood paneling's tone. For example, bold prints contrast beautifully with dark wood, and soft pictures enhance the warmth of lighter panels.
Add artwork to your space
6. Use Wall Decals
The best thing about wall decals is their ease of installation. You can add decorative elements in a few minutes. The variety of designs, colors, and sizes is another plus, offering various ways to refresh your space.
To use wall decals effectively, you should apply them sparingly to create balance. It would be best to mix patterns with blank spaces to complement the wood paneling's texture.
7. Add Plants for a Natural Look
Plants have natural beauty and greenery that match the warm tones of wood paneling perfectly since both come from nature. When you use both for your space, you can immediately feel cozy. This tip is best for rustic and farmhouse interiors.
You can mix leafy greens with flowering plants to add different styles to the space. Also, use floor plants and hanging plants together to maximize visual interest. Another interesting idea is to place small potted plants on desks or shelves to further enhance the space.
8. Line the Wall with Shelves
The shelves pop up so your wood paneling wall doesn't feel empty. In this case, the wall acts as a background for the shelves to stand out. This combination works best when both come in different wood color shades. For example, if you have wood paneling in a light tone, the shelves should look dark.
If you can't fill the shelves with your books, consider candles, records, or plants. Mixing different objects and textures can create a stunning display while making the space more dynamic.
9. Keep The Paneling Clean
If the paneling on your wall starts to look drab, all the cleaning products in the world won't help it. Ducted dust, dirt, and grime can gather over time. The wood can also discolor, ruining the wall's appeal. You need to dust the wood paneling once a week with a microfiber cloth to keep them clean. Harsh chemicals will tackle stubborn stains well, but they can harm the finish. So if you decide to use this method, try it on a small area.
Keep the wood paneling clean
No Paint? No Problem! Try WoodyWalls
As you know how to make wood paneling look good without painting, you can easily upgrade the wall while maintaining the natural beauty of wood. Remember to keep the wood clean before experimenting with any decorative method.
There are many creative ideas to consider, but you should start with stunning wood paneling. Once you have a visually appealing background, you can easily decorate it. Explore high-quality wood wall panels at WoodyWalls and find the perfect design for your own space!