You must let the paint dry between each application. Usually three coats of paint are necessary to completely cover the paneling. Paint over the paneling once the second coat of primer has dried.Use real reclaimed barn boards or opt for faux barn boards from your local hardware store. Again, due to the glossy finish, a good quality primer is necessary. Barn board is a classic choice for wall paneling and for good reasonits perfect for a rustic farmhouse or cottage design where natural wood is prominent. Since most paneling has a glossy finish, you will probably have to apply a second and thicker coat of primer to hold the paint. Sand down all the paneling lightly to remove any grease. A satin paint finish is the all-around best paint finish to use for wall paneling.Make the compound smooth and level with the panel. Scrape and sand down the excess compound after the compound is dry.Fill all the grooves in the paneling with a thick, uniform layer of compound.If you're using pre-mixed compound you can skip this step.

Mix the joint compound with water, as per packaging instructions.

Clean the walls thoroughly with a soapy solution to get rid of any dust and grease.

Check the walls for any protruding nails.

Remove all the plates on the switches and outlets.

If that's problematic, move the furniture away from the walls and cover it with plastic drop-cloths.

Remove all the furniture from the room.

If you have a handy side (maybe you’ve put together DIY kitchen cabinets or are not afraid to use a power tool), we have projects for you too: painting a hand-painted mural is a fun way to give your favorite room some life or maybe you’re game to try putting together your own TV cabinet like Sarah Sherman Samuel did (PS: she saved thousands in the process).Įxperts, we’ve got you covered too: from learning to tile and grout your own backsplash to painting your cabinets without a hitch, we have plenty of DIY kitchen renovation ideas to keep you busy. Maybe you’re just dipping your toes in the world of do-it-yourself, in which case we recommend starting small: try your hand at making your own speckled candle holders, for example, or give your greenery an updated home with pretty stacked planters. Learn how to fill in the grooves and cover with a fresh coat of paint. Anita Yokota shared her best trick for a $20 bathroom renovation, Jessica D’Itri Marés shared her favorite spray painter, and Jenna LeBlanc showed us how to give wall-to-wall storage a custom touch. No need to tear down that dingy 1970s paneling. So naturally, we had to dedicate an entire section of SemiStories to celebrating our design community’s ingenuity, from DIY kitchen ideas to thinking of smaller details like rattan glassware and easy-to-make wall hangings.ĭon’t just take it from us: we’ve tapped the best in the business. After all, that’s where the idea for making doors for IKEA kitchen systems came from. We are no strangers to DIY home renovations at Semihandmade. It’s a weekend project that will personalize and transform this feature into one you’ll love. Note: If your beadboard has any holes or defects that need filling, such as from old nails or hooks, you should fill those with wood putty before priming. The good news is learning how to paint wall paneling is easy. If you plan to paint the trim and baseboards to match the beadboard, don’t forget to prime those as well. Move the brush up and down for vertical paneling or side to side for horizontal paneling. Start by priming inside the grooves of the beadboard with a 2-inch angled sash paintbrush. We used Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer since it does all of the above and dries within an hour. It’s also important to choose a primer that is labeled as “stain blocking,” especially if your beadboard is real wood since it will hide any knots that could bleed through the paint. This is a good time to seal them with acrylic latex caulk.

Not only will it help lock out moisture, but it also ensures better adhesion without needing to sand (an unnecessarily tedious step). Paint will make any joints and open cracks between the paneling and trim (or ceiling) more noticeable. Even if your paint already has primer in it, we still recommend giving your beadboard a mold and mildew-resistant base coat, particularly in high-humidity or splash-prone areas like a bathroom or kitchen.

Paints that cover wall paneling good