Best Colors for Painting Wall Paneling

Updating dated or dark wood paneling with a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room. But choosing the right color for your wall panels can be tricky. The color you pick can enhance the wood's natural beauty or overwhelm it. You'll want to consider factors like the room's size and light as well as your overall decor style. With the right hue, painted paneling can feel modern, cozy, or bold - whichever you prefer.

From light neutrals to punchy shades, there are lots of ways to use color to highlight those handsome wooden panels.

Prep Work for Painting Wood Paneling

Before choosing a color, you'll need to make sure your panels are properly prepped for painting. Start by cleaning the wood thoroughly to remove any dirt, grease or existing finishes. Make repairs if needed to any cracked or damaged areas. Then sand the panels lightly to rough up the surface so the paint can properly adhere.

Priming is a crucial step with wood paneling. The best primers will block stains, seal the wood, and prevent your topcoat of paint from getting absorbed unevenly. An oil-based primer formulated for wood is ideal. Apply a minimum of one coat of primer and let it fully dry before painting.

As for paint, a high-quality latex paint is recommended for ease of application and cleanup. Matte, eggshell, or satin finishes tend to work best on panels. The condition of your existing wood will determine how many coats of paint color you'll need for full coverage.

Choosing Paint Colors for Wood Wall Panels

When considering paint colors for paneling, take into account the size of the room and the amount of natural light it gets. Small spaces with minimal windows will benefit from light, bright colors to make them feel more open and airy. Large rooms can handle deeper, more saturated hues without feeling closed in.

You'll also want to factor in the existing style of your space. Cool-toned grays and blues complement contemporary decor, while warm earth tones enhance rustic or farmhouse styles. If your paneling has detailing like raised edges or grooves, a semi-gloss or high-gloss paint will accentuate the textures.

Try picking a color that coordinates with your existing trim or can be used on accent walls to tie everything together. Greens, blues, grays and tans tend to pair beautifully with golden, reddish, or dark brown wood tones.

Lightening Up Dark Wood Paneling

For dated, dark wood paneling, light paint colors are the obvious choice. They instantly brighten up a room and make the space feel larger. Clean whites, very light grays, and soft cream colors are safe bets. Just steer clear of going too stark white, which can end up looking clinical.

If you want more color, soft sage greens and light sky blues are lovely options. Subdued mint green or a blue-gray hue can give a subtle pop of color without overwhelming the wood. Pastel yellows and peach tones will also lighten up a dark room beautifully.

Updating Golden Oak and 80s Paneling

Warm medium-toned grays are perfect for toning down the bold orange-brown hues of golden oak paneling. A gray with just a hint of greige or taupe will give an updated modern feel while still complementing the wood tones. Cooler grays can come off sterile, so stick to grays with beige, brown or tan undertones.

For a bolder update, navy blue makes a dramatic and stylish alternative to dated golden oak. It highlights the wood's grain while feeling sophisticated. Soft sage greens also give a refreshing modern twist.

Avoiding Clashing Colors with Dark Panels

While white and light neutrals are safe color options for dark wood, some hues can accentuate the darkness too much. Going for a paint color that's equally as deep and intense as your existing paneling can end up feeling oppressive and closed-off.

Colors like black, charcoal gray, burgundy and dark browns are not ideal picks when you want to lighten up the look of your wood walls. Even some medium tones like terracotta, mustard yellow or forest green might clash with the richness of the wood.

Avoid choosing a cool paint color in a similar depth to your warm wood stain. For example, painting over reddish panels with a deep eggplant purple or navy blue could create a jarring, mismatched effect.

Paint Color Ideas for Wood Paneling in Living Rooms

Long expanses of wall paneling are common in living rooms. When painting these high-visibility spaces, you'll want a color that complements the wood's natural pattern and texture.

For a relaxing, inviting living room, soft cool-toned greens like sage work beautifully. A light sky blue is another option that pairs nicely with warm wood. If you prefer to keep things neutral, a medium-toned beige-gray is an easy pick that fits with any style.

Creamy off-whites that aren't too stark can make a dark-paneled living room feel fresh and bright. For something more daring, go for a deeper hue like navy to really make those panels pop.

Small Living Rooms with Paneling

Small living rooms with lots of tall vertical panels will feel more spacious painted in lighter colors. Try a light gray-green or very pale blue. For a small room with golden oak panels, paint over them with a warm white or greige to open up the space.

Large Living Rooms with Paneling

Big living rooms can handle bolder, richer paint colors. Navy blue or emerald green will make a stunning backdrop that highlights detailed or textured panels. Even a dark charcoal gray can work well in a large room.

For a two-tone effect, paint the walls and vertical panels one color and use a different hue on horizontal paneling. A light blue-gray on the walls with crisp white panel accents is a great combo.

Best Color Options for Kitchens with Oak Paneling

Kitchens often contain oak cabinetry and paneling, which can start to feel dated over time. Luckily, oak takes to paint beautifully for an affordable makeover.

Painting oak kitchen panels white is a foolproof option to create a fresh, clean look. Go for a warm antique white for a subtle update or bright white for maximum contrast. Soft grays are another versatile choice that complements both modern and farmhouse kitchen styles.

For something more colorful, sage greens, sky blues, and muted yellows inspired by nature are perfect for kitchens. Turquoise is another fun retro-inspired choice for updating oak. Just stick to paler versions of colors to avoid overwhelming the existing woodwork.

Small Kitchens with Oak Paneling

To make a small kitchen feel more open and spacious, bright white painted paneling is your best bet. White reflects light and makes the room appear larger. For a softer approach, try a very pale gray or light yellow.

Large Kitchens with Oak Paneling

Big kitchens can handle bold, dramatic colors like navy, emerald, and mustard yellow painted on the oak panels. Even a deep charcoal or black could work well to define a large kitchen. Just paint any oak cabinets a lighter color so it's not too overwhelming.

No matter the size of your kitchen or style of paneling, carefully prepping and priming the wood before painting will help ensure your color looks its best. And be sure to get samples of a few different hues to see what works in your specific lighting.

Wood paneling can feel tired or outdated over time, but a fresh coat of paint is an easy and affordable solution. The color you choose can completely transform the look and feel of a room with dark or golden wood panels. Light, bright colors open up small spaces, while bold hues make a dramatic statement.

When selecting a color, factor in your existing decor and the ambiance you want to achieve. Cool grays and blues work well for modern spaces, while earth tones enhance farmhouse style. Make sure to properly prepare panels before painting for the best color coverage. With the right prep and paint color choice, you can give tired wood walls new life.