Wood paneling needs to be softened to be comfortable.
Wood paneling can render a home dark and cold if precautions aren't taken. Ensure that your home doesn't become too uninviting by decorating around the paneling. Assuming that painting or wallpapering over the paneling isn't an option, there are still a myriad of options to soften a room with wood paneling.
Instructions
1. Maintain a fairly neutral palette throughout the room to keep it crisp. Focus on whites, grays and creams.
2. Hang fabric made of a soft material over a wall. Use clear thumbtacks to attach the fabric to the wall along the top. Another alternative is to install several curtain rods along the top of the wall and hang the fabric. Drill two holes in the wall at each end of the curtain rod to secure the metal curtain rod hanger to the wall. If you are using more than one curtain rod, remember to leave enough room between the curtain rod hangers for the finials.
3. Place a large couch with soft, comfortable cushions in the room. Pull the couch away from the wall about 6 inches to make the room appear larger. Toss on plenty of throw pillows in different colors and textures.
4. Place a large piece of bright or light-colored art over the fireplace or in a central area of the room. Light and bright colors contradict the darkness of the paneling and help warm up a room with wood paneling.
5. Soften the room with a large area rug placed in the center of the room. Choose a rug in neutral colors, such as beige, gray or off white. The color and the fabric of the rug counteract the coldness of the wood paneling.
6. Set up several bookcases of varying heights along one wall for storage and to break up the monotony of the paneling.
7. Place plants such as dracaena, orchids, begonias and hostas in decorative pots in strategic places such as near a fireplace, near doorways and in corners.
Tags: room with, along wall, Place large, room with wood, wood paneling,