Update your paneled walls with a fresh color scheme.
Wood-paneled walls were a decorating staple of the 1970s but can look dark and dated now. If removing the paneling or painting over it is not an option, you can work with your walls to create a warm, inviting look to your room. Lightening the color scheme, bringing in a few touches of bright color and creating a contemporary country look will all work to bring your room out of the '70s and give it a fresh, welcoming style.
Instructions
1. Look for upholstered furniture in soft tan, blue or green. Heavy fabric will create a textural contrast with the wood walls.
2. Warm the floor with a rug in braided wool, a contemporary pattern or a subtle Oriental design in blues, greens, browns or reds.
3. Light your room with a Tiffany-style hanging fixture, a white or wicker ceiling fan with a light kit or a rustic chandelier.
4. Brighten your couch with toss pillows in cheerful colors that play up the colors in your rug.
5. Create a display of framed artwork on the wall over the couch. Use pictures with a related theme or color scheme, and frame with bright frames that complement the colors in the pictures.
6. Hang curtains with a colorful pattern that match the color of your rug and sofa.
7. Mount a large framed mirror on the wall opposite the sofa. It will give the room a more open feel and give a counterpoint to the wood paneling.
8. Place a plant stand near the window that receives the most light, and fill it with potted plants in colorful pots.
9. Display treasured collectibles in a cabinet or hutch. A collection linked by theme, material or color makes an interesting display that attracts the eye and breaks up the solid feel of the wood-paneled walls.
Tags: color scheme, your room