If you want keep the wooden color for a rustic room, but don't want the space to feel too dark or dated, use your accessories wisely: A small gallery wall and a large, show-stopping mirror gladly take the attention away from the deeply stained wood.

Here, a deep navy paint is strategically placed on paneling the homeowners don't want to stand out. Because the white accessories, shelving, and appliances take the emphasis off the ridges, helping them almost disappear.

If the paneling is the thin plywood variety that was popular in the 1970s, you have a few more options: You’d be surprised how far a nice, light paint color can go in updating the look of wall paneling.

Follow these steps to resurface plywood paneling: If you’ve come to the conclusion that all that filling and sanding is a lot of work, you may want to skip redoing the paneling in favor of a permanent fix.

This light pink wall features floral patterns (thanks to some serious stencil work) that help distract attention away from the panel's lines.

It kind of reminds us of a dollhouse, and might be the perfect solution for a little girl's room.

If your paneled walls' main flaw is their dated color, a fresh coat of paint may be all it takes to give them a new look.

The paneling's grooves and texture will still be visible, but a change in color alone can make a significant difference.