How to creatively cover wood paneling on a wall?

Question

we're moving into a rental that has a brick fireplace that reaches the ceiling. Then on both sides of the fireplace is dark wood paneling. If worse comes to worse, we can just paint it, but that's a little boring. Is there such things as faux stones or tiles on a panel that I could post up on both sides or something to that effect? (Ease is key) Maybe wall paper? Might not be a good idea on paneling.

Answer 1

Maybe you want to consider just removing the paneling.  Sometimes wood paneling is just nailed up to regular wallboard.  If that was the case, then you'd could take it down and then have bare walls.  Those walls would need to be sealed with something before you applied paint or wallpaper, but you'd have fresh, updated wall area.

Of course, you'd need to check with your landlord if this would be okay.  S/He might be glad to have that old dated dark wall paneling removed.

Answer 2

around a brick fireplace one thing I've seen that has a nice look (kind of medeteranian), is stucco.  You'll just want to check with your land lord before doing anything that won't just come off.  Stucco is pretty easy, just make sure you don't go for only the top coat, you'll need to make sure you have your wood paneling good and roughed up before you do a base coat.  Stucco is pretty easy to put up, but it can be messy.  As far as roughing the wall up, a wire wheel in a drill works pretty well on wood paneling, but the cleanup isn't overly fun.