Carmen Blake
Keep reading to find out how to make wood paneling look modern – without painting it! I am all for updating those laminate countertops, hiding those popcorn ceilings, ripping up the wall-to-wall carpeting and other things of that nature.
In the Jungle Room, or the den if you want to be so boring as to call it that, we kept the original wood paneling. However, budget and seeing a friend’s updated 70’s paneled walls in action helped to change my mind and give it a whirl.
I first saw painted trim paired with paneling at my friend Kellie’s house. She had paneling in much of her den and kitchen and had painted the trim in those areas black.
Side note: I am planning to paint these red, which I think will look even better in the jungle room. Once more, to make the paneling seem like more of a backdrop, I created two different focal points when you first walked into the room.
By painting the fireplace a solid black, it actually stood out more, rather than blending into the paneling as it did before with the reddish bricks. There, I used the ledge above the sofa to place a vintage brass lamp, the Ocean Avenue art, a family picture and antlers on the wall. On the fireplace, I used a traditional piece of art, this cheetah print, and something a little non-traditional, but that grabbed the eye’s attention – those little red cowboy boots. Also along the fireplace mantel is a framed record, mine and Grunt Labor’s song, and some DIY text art that also snags the eye with it’s red hue.
Not only did this final trick help to make the jungle room a tad more cozier, but it also brought in other elements that worked well with the paneling – texture and pattern. The pattern and texture of the zebra print rug worked well to bring the eye to the floor. The malachite side table brought in more color, which the room needed, as well as pattern.
I also used the snakeskin lamps, green throw pillow and black and cream pouf that you saw in earlier photos above to bring in more texture and pattern. You’ll find us here flying our freak flag in the jungle room clad with 70’s wood paneling – and loving every minute of it. Share your tips for how to make wood paneling look good in the comments!
The 70’s Landing Pad Home Tour – we embraced the split-level and went 70’s style – with a touch of glam for good measure.
