How to Paint Natural Wood Paneling Using Behr Paint

Huge thank you to Behr Paint for sponsoring this post!

When we moved into our home five years ago, we felt comfortable buying it because it was a one owner home built in 1985 and they had maintained the property great. However, other than the updated tile in the master bath, it appeared they had never updated anything else. Most everything in my home was natural honey oak. The doors, trim, baseboards, cabinets and mainly my ENTIRE living room. I loved the picture frame molding but hated how dark the wood paneled walls made the space. It needed an update badly and I did just that with Behr Paint.

My husband, being a carpenter, loved them. They were real wood and someone spent a great deal of time installing them. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate the beauty of natural wood, just not when it’s on every single wall of my home! For years it was a bit of an argument when I reminded my dear husband to mentally prepare himself for the paint that would one day go over those walls. I just felt like I was living inside a very outdated library. Also, the molding is difficult to decorate around because for balance reasons, you have to hang any wall hangings in the center of those frames. Which in turn, makes my walls feel like an art display at a gallery.

One of the most inexpensive updates you can do to your homes interiors is to paint it. Through the years I’ve learned that with paint, you get what you pay for. I used to try and find the cheapest paint I could find thinking “I don’t need name brand paint.” But I am here to tell you, using quality paint makes a world of difference. I’ve been wanting to lighten up the space so I decided on white. While at Home Depot one day, there was a paint rep for Behr Paint. I told him what I was planning to do and showed him pictures of the space. He knew I wanted white but sometimes with white, it’s not pigmented which then requires additional coats for the best coverage. It was then that he mentioned using “Cameo White” in their Marquee line.

 It has great pigment and coverage that on most walls, all you need is single coat. That equals less time and less product.

Behr Paint Marquee Cameo White

These walls were covered with a very thick lacquer so I knew I would need to take a few extra steps to make sure the paint adhered properly. I took a fine grit sandpaper and quickly went over all the walls. You don’t need to spend too much time or elbow grease doing this. Five minutes a wall or less. This step is only to give that slick surface some “tooth” to help the paint have something to grab on to. Clean the wall really well with a degreasing cleaner, especially when working with wood. These walls I’m sure had been polished over the years.

After that dried I decided to prime the walls. Again, when painting sheet rock, this step isn’t needed with the exception of the already existing wall color. If painting white over a dark wall color I highly recommend priming.

When the primer dried, I set to work applying the Behr Marquee “Cameo White.” Again, because of the pigmentation and coverage, I only really needed a single coat. In some areas I had to do more than one but that was due to having to hand paint around all the picture frame molding. When painting a large surface area like a wall, a roller works best for even and better coverage.

Behr Paint Marquee Cameo White

It took me the weekend to complete the room, but once done, I was so mad at myself for not doing it sooner. I completely transformed and updated the space. It brightened the room and just made it look and feel more modern and clean. It also helped soften the picture frame molding which I loved. I used pure white indoor gloss paint on the baseboards and door trim to make them pop a little more. That also makes for easier cleaning. I have 3 dogs, a five year old and a husband. Need I say more?

I’ve heard painters recommend using caulk to fill in the gaps that might exist around the molding but honestly, even if they exist, you can’t really see them. If you’re a perfectionist then you may want to take this extra step prior to painting.

That’s it! If you have any questions leave me a comment! Also, if you’ve ever painted natural wood paneling and did it different let me know!

I also used this amazing paint on the shiplap in my master bedroom and you can read all about that by clicking this link!

Thanks for stopping by friends!

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