How to Cover Fake Wood Paneling: 4 Simple Methods

Say goodbye to your fake wood paneling with one of these creative solutions

Bedroom with painted paneling
Photo: Perry Mastrovito / Image Source / Getty Images
Bedroom with painted paneling
Photo: Perry Mastrovito / Image Source / Getty Images
Sara Coleman
Written by Sara Coleman
Contributing Writer
Updated March 8, 2024
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Even though it’s no longer the hit it once was, fake wood paneling somehow continues to be everywhere. Fortunately, you can erase this passé trend from your abode with a few tools and materials and a couple days’ time—no need to hire a pro unless you don’t feel like putting in the work. Use this guide to learn how to cover fake wood paneling with a more aesthetic solution.

1. Spackle and Paint

This four-step process takes a bit longer than some of the options on this list, but painting wall paneling produces the most consistent results.

The Tools You’ll Need

  • Drop cloth

  • Painter’s tape

  • Paintbrush

  • Roller brush

  • Spackle

  • Putty knife

  • Sandpaper

  • Acrylic paint

Clean the Panels

Wipe down the panels to remove dust and debris before doing anything else. This will ensure a smooth, uniform finish. Let dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Cover the Grooves With Spackle

Use the putty knife to apply evenly spackle over the grooves. Take this opportunity to also cover up any scratches or holes from wear and tear. Let the spackle dry completely before sanding. For a bit more texture, coat the walls in a layer of plaster in between this step and the next to create a fabulous faux finish.

Sand It Down

The amount of sanding that you do depends entirely on your preference. The smoother you want the finish, the more you’ll need to sand. If you’re trying to achieve a textured, gritty appearance, you may not even need to sand at all.

Primer and Paint

Use a vacuum to suck up any remaining dust from sanding. Use a roller brush to apply primer all over. Let dry, then apply the paint color of your choice.

2. Shellac-Based Primer and Paint

Using a shellac-based primer to cover fake wood paneling eliminates the need for any spackling or sanding. Though a bit more expensive than traditional primers, you get what you pay for because it does a better job of hiding the grooves and dries in less than an hour.

Clean the Walls

If your walls have come in contact with any kind of dirt and grime, then your first step should be to wash your walls. Use a mixture of dish soap and water or a heavy-duty cleaner specifically for removing grime, smoke, or other types of deposits.

Apply a Shellac-Based Primer

Once the walls are clean, apply the primer with up and down strokes and let it dry for at least an hour. Ensure it’s completely dry before painting. Shellac-based primer will speed up your project because you won’t need as many coats of paint to cover the faux wood.

3. Caulk and Wallpaper

Billiards room with wallpaper
Photo: Paul Viant / DigitalVision / Getty Images

If you’d rather avoid doing any extra painting, wallpaper is another great alternative for covering up fake wood paneling

Fill the Grooves With Caulk

The catch is that wallpaper on its own is not thick enough to fully conceal the grooves underneath. Using caulk to fill the grooves is a quick fix for this problem. A putty knife will help you easily apply caulk to the numerous grooves.

Sand It Down

When the caulk has dried, sand it down to add enough texture for the wallpaper to adhere to.

Hang the Wallpaper

Once you’ve sanded, hang the wallpaper as you normally would in your home, either DIY or by hiring a local wallpaper pro to speed up the project.

4. Wall Liner

Wall liner is a thicker, more adhesive alternative to wallpaper that will cover the grooves in your paneling, so you can skip the caulk entirely. 

Install Wall Liner

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and adhere the liner to the wall. Think of it as applying a smooth canvas that will let you start fresh with the decorating.

Apply Paint or Wallpaper

Once the liner is in place, add a coat of paint for color or a layer of thin, decorative wallpaper. There are plenty of great styles and textures to choose from. 

Cost to Cover Fake Wood Paneling

The cost to cover fake wood paneling depends on what method you use to cover it. If you choose to paint over the paneling, hiring a painting professional costs an average of $1,100 for labor and materials for one room. If you choose to DIY, the cost is around $150 for materials.

The average cost of installing wallpaper for one room is $560, depending on the height of your ceilings, room size, and wallpaper selection.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

You can save a substantial amount of money by choosing the DIY route for any of the methods mentioned above. Instead of paying for the labor costs of a professional to either paint or hang wallpaper, you would only have to cover the cost of your materials.

However, depending on the size of your room, the ceiling height, and how much prep work is involved, hiring a professional can save you an enormous amount of time and deliver quality results.

Audrey Bruno contributed to this article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can paint over fake wood paneling, but it will take a bit of preparation before applying the final coats of paint. Start by making sure the walls are completely clean, either with a heavy-duty cleaner or soap and water. Once dry, apply a shellac-based primer, which is the only type of primer that adheres to fake wood paneling. Let it dry before applying one or two coats of paint.

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Learn more about our contributor
Sara Coleman
Written by Sara Coleman
Contributing Writer
Sara is a full-time writer with work appearing in BobVila, JoyWallet, and Wayfair. Prior to writing, she worked in the appliance industry for over 10 years as a sales representative for a major national manufacturer. She’s passionate about making a house a home through both big and small details and even on a shoestring budget.
Sara is a full-time writer with work appearing in BobVila, JoyWallet, and Wayfair. Prior to writing, she worked in the appliance industry for over 10 years as a sales representative for a major national manufacturer. She’s passionate about making a house a home through both big and small details and even on a shoestring budget.
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