Should I paint the paneling in my 60s fixer upper or cover it with drywall to modernize the room?
Asked by Lucas Lam 
4 weeks ago
Last Updated: August 21, 2024
So, my husband and I moved into this 60s fixer-upper about three years back, and we’ve been procrastinating on this particular part of the renovation. The downstairs room is the only one in the house with paneling and a textured ceiling. I just mailed off a sample of the ceiling material to check for asbestos. If it’s all clear, I’m thinking of sanding it down to make it nice and smooth. But then there’s the paneling – has anyone had success painting over it? I’m also considering covering it with 1/4 inch drywall, but that’s definitely going to cost some extra money. Any thoughts?
Just drywall it and you’ll thank me later…🤣
Is that genuine knotty pine? Painting it would almost be a crime! I would recommend painting all the trim in a light color, and perhaps opting for lighter colored flooring to see how you like the overall look.
Consider using 1/4 inch drywall as a cheaper alternative, especially since there is already a solid wall.
Painting it could be a more cost-effective option than using drywall. For the back wall in my den, which was wood like yours, I used Kilz primer followed by flat latex paint.
You have the option to paint the paneling. Once painted, it will resemble painted paneling. If that works for you, great! I’ve painted paneling before after filling the grooves with easy sand mud. It looked much better than the dark paneling, but still clearly paneling.
If you’re not a fan of the grooves, you could consider using paintable wallpaper. It’s thick and can cover the grooves without needing to fill them in.
Painting it will definitely be an improvement. Some people might not even realize it’s paneling.
I saw a designer painting black on the fireplace and leaving the paneling as is looked fantastic
‘t hesitate to paint that paneling!!
Could you share which kit you used to test for asbestos? 
Hey , I found this one on Amazon with good reviews: https://a.co/d/eXrAgRX
Hey , just wanted to say thank you! I might need to get one for myself too. Hope it comes back negative for you!
If the paneling is of good quality, you can start by priming it with a high-quality primer. Fill the grooves with joint compound, sand it down, prime once more to cover the compound, and then paint over it.
My amazing husband meticulously applied sheet work mud to every line, sanded the paneling finish, added texture, knocked it down, and painted our walls. It’s hard to distinguish between the drywall and the paneling. The Sheetrock is on the right side while the paneling is on the left side.
Haha, can I borrow your hubby? This is so cool!
Wow, he is truly amazing !
I personally think painted paneling can look great! It can give the room a cozy cottage vibe if that’s the look you’re going for. If you’re not a fan of the painted look, you always have the option to cover it with drywall! 🤗
Keep the paneling as is and consider painting the ceiling and door black.
I personally like the classic 70s look of the paneling as it is.
Before you start any renovations, pull off a piece of door casing or duct cover to see what’s underneath. I was surprised to find unfinished drywall behind the paneling in my 1971 house.
Love the idea !
I’ve painted paneling before and never had any issues with it.
If you want to paint that paneling, make sure to wash it first with tsp to get rid of any waxy residue from cleaning products. Then use a good primer.
Saw this cool ad for tile panels that can give your ceiling a coffered look!
Our dining room has paneling that we painted over instead of drywalling, and it looks fantastic! We used a high-quality paint with primer, and it’s been holding up well.
Thinking about going with this for the sake of saving some money, !
That’s exactly the reason we went for it! And we’ve always been pleased with the outcomes!
I filled the grooves with mud, lightly sanded them, thinned the mud, and rolled it on like thick paint before painting. It turned out great!
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I discovered that this was the most budget-friendly option, even though it took a bit longer. But it was definitely worth it!