I like the idea of putting in a nice blue and white wall, but using strong black accents. Maybe ditch the dark blue curtain for some black sheers, and use a paint colour like BM Tidewater (more an aqua or greenish blue) to give it a little vintage-esque feel.....

44G3-8PLQ-4HJ9
PF-35 Tidewater

ANd BIG art. Small spaces need big art to keep them from feeling twee.

Why not add a white curtain, several large, white minimal canvases (or other white based artworks) and a few well selected (clean lines, minimal clutter) white objects or pieces of furniture.

I see: a lower platform bed, white curtain, white Tulip side tables, white flokati, a Franz Kline-like canvas and a few calagryphic ink scrolls and no clutter (ie: clean that end table and get rid of the black metal tower thing)

Get where I'm going...

You have SO much texture with the floor and walls being wood that if you introduce any more in the form of fabric, object or art you'll overwhelm the eye...

If you were to make everything in the room clean and based off a white or very light palatte you would be able to ofsett the dark wood.

If you must paint then go for it but I would like to think that you could take this curveball and spin it into a homerun...

Why would you take the time to fill in each groove of the paneling and paint it, when you could just remove it? (I assuming you own your house, not rent.)

I think your first step is some DIY home renovation, THEN decoration. I think you could remove the paneling with a prybar and some muscle. Then you'd patch any holes in the walls with plaster, or have them skimcoated by a professional, then paint.

Why keep the paneling when it sounds like you really dont like it at all?

Go hunting for bed linens before you paint. You want something that incorporates the navy, a neutral of the same intensity as the bed frame and nightstand, and a third color that's fresh enough to stop the navy from jumping out, yelling, "I'm a spot of dark color in this otherwise light room!" Yellow would work. A fresh, bright green would work. So would an airy lilac if you have a bold print rather than a water-color print. Maroon or kelly or forest green would be too much like the navy.

Pick up the colors in a valance (doesn't have to matchy-match), in your BIG ART (as Rachel says), and very sparingly in your accessories, keeping most of those neutral (because the bed, the window, and the ART are big chunks of color).

Paint in either the neutral from the linens or a light version of the fresh color (paint chip strips are your friend here). I'd stick with ivory like the nightstand for storage -- the space will look larger if all the bulky storage pieces are a single color that's low or medium contrast with the walls.

It may just be my monitor, but the way the light is bouncing off the wall and the fact that the door is also covered in the paneling makes me think that it is actually that vinyl wallpaper stuff in a wood-paneling pattern. is it actual wood planks attached to your walls, or some other kind of wood-esque wallcovering?

You could always play up the paneling instead. Ditch the cheap IKEA stuff, replace it with cheap unfinished pine stuff, stain the pine stuff a dark color that matches the darkest color in the paneling. Paint the door trim the same dark color as the ceiling edging. The room will always look poorly with the overhead light on. You need more indirect lighting than that tiny lamp on the nightstand. Dark red duvet cover and curtains, white sheets and pillowcases. You might want to do sheers with opaque panels: The sheers will let light in, and the panels can be shut to darken the room at night.

That is some really strange paneling you have there. It looks like a floor escaped and ran up the wall. And the fact that even the door is paneled makes it yet more claustrophobia-inducing. I agree with Me that it would be much better to take down the paneling rather than painting it. If you're willing to do some filling and sanding, you should invest that energy in the underlying wall. Or you could repalce the current panelling with something like beadboard if the underlying wall is too much to deal with. Definitely take the paneling off the door, whatever else you do. and if you don't want to take down the paneling for some reason, don't bother filling the gaps in the paneling, because it's never going to look like a normal wall. Paint it now and plan to take it down later. You might want to put new casing around the doorway--what's there now looks a bit basementy.

Light colors, big art, white curtains. what they said.

This cabinet might work in the corner:

http://www.homedecorators.com/P/3889630/420

I would think about using a lighter colored curtain. I agree with the big art comments too.

Liming. One answer is liming...or the frenchy-name-for cerusing-type process. If the paneling has any real wood at all it might be a nice solution. If it is a printed wood pattern...then...not so good.

You can lighten the finish and change the coloration.

Take off the top finish and apply a diluted white paint and wipe. Then, put the color you want on type. Seal...and you're done. Might be nice in a driftwood-y color.

Lots of work but lots of result.

Cheers!

P.S. One easy thing you can do to heal the room right now is move the bed so the foot points to the door. I would go crazy trying to sleep with the door right next to my head. Moving the bed would put the headboard in front of the window, but it would also mean room for two nightstands and two lamps.

We had faux-wood vinyl paneling just like this in a rental when I was growing up. My reourceful mother painted right over it so the grooves were just a texture. It actually looked pretty good. She used a soft white but I think color would be fine.

Come to think of it -- we had painted-over paneling in our home office in Troy. The prior owner's choice of dead white wasn't a hit due to the limited light, but when we redid it in a pale yellow, it looked fine, stripes and all. (We weren't about to take it down for fear of what we'd find behind it. The paneling on the basement stairs hid plaster that had given way for large portions of the wall.)

Use a thick roller so that roller nap gets into the grooves. Speeds things right up.

If you paint the paneling a creamy white (don't fill in the grooves), I think you'd have the bones for a slightly mod beachy/seaside room.

Your existing bed provides the 'mod' aspect.
To replace the black thing, I think you are looking for an "etagere" or maybe a tall-skinny lingerie dresser drawer. I'd try to find some hip-teen galvanized metal storage piece to echp the metal of your bed.

Add a sisal/natural fiber rug (also creamy/pale in color).
Replace curtain with something canvasy (maybe with some stripes along a border).
And some smaller beachy colorful lamps with white shades would add color.

pbteen.com might provide some inspiration.
pier1 might be a good resource, too.

I agree with "me", even if you have to patch plaster or completely replace drywall, it will be a much better end result than puttying up the panelling. I had a friend that did exactly what you're talking about before I could convince him to just replace the drywall. It took more time than drywall, too.

Hey everyone, thanks a lot for the quick responses! Why is my submission titled "Difficult Questions" intead of "Good Questions"? So unfair! :)

I have zero tolerance for the paneling. Like some of you said, it doesn't even look like real wood, and patterns are just too busy. "Floor ran up the wall"...haha...that's funny. So I'm definitely getting rid of it. I wanted to paint it first because I read several articles about how much work it takes to remove paneling and do drywall, and how much easier to just paint over it. But maybe filling the grooves would not be worth it. Instead I'll just do what wende said, paint with a thick roller. If it doesn't turn out nicely, then off the wall they go.

I wanted a much lighter and airy curtain. But my brother-in-law who sleeps in there picked the navy one because he wanted to shut off light completely. What Jeffery suggested about opaque panels with sheers is definitely a good idea.

Oh, and Jeffery, you mean head next to the closet door drives you crazy? Hm...never occurred to me. Head under the window is no problem. The problem is there is a heat outlet below the window, so during winter, you will be basically hair-blowing all night long......

I like big art too. Now just need to go find one.
Have no clue what liming is, but I'll look it up. So the basic idea is lighter colors. What kind of paint gives more light to the room. Because I know some white-ish paint could still make the room look dark and lifeless.

agree with Wende who warns about what might hide under the paneling. In our case, it was another layer of paneling! And even if you find a fairly sound wall under all of it - you still have to rip out the furring strips to which the panels are nailed and patch those holes. And paint. Painting the paneling is the best solution unless you want to have it removed and drywall installed. But that's a very dusty affair and much more expensive than primer and paint.

I tried filling the grooves at one point, too. No matter what material I used, they telegraphed. It's simply not worth the effort. Btw, I never comment here because I am in awe of people who know so much about design - but had to write this hoping you would not have to repeat my nightmare :)

I agree with the idea of painting the panelling white--this room does have good potential. For inspiration, I would suggest looking in one of those design books about small spaces (I can't remember any specific titles, but I picked up a great British one at the Library the other day).

So: walls white. Opaque white shade over the window, maybe decorated with a red stripe. No curtains. A white duvet with a small red pattern (I like small, delicate florals, but I'm afraid to say that here), then a sisal rug like JenPDX said, cheery red accents around the room (maybe paint the black storage shelves a fun red) and maybe some nice white accents, too, like milk glass vases. This may sound too martha-y for this space, but that's what I'd do, and I like a lot of Martha's sparser rooms.

I think you have lots of options. If this room where in my humble little shack and I do mean shack 15’x 25’; I think that I would pay homage to the 50's paneling by stripping if from 3 of the 4 walls and definitely off of the door. Leaving that fourth wall with the paneling I might sand it down and stain it a deep dark color, dare I say black, I just did. I know it would seem contradictory if the desired effect is to "enlarge" the room, so the solution for this might be to paint the 3 now bare walls, white, eggshell or something that isn't glossy and reflective. It could be a good look.

How about upholstered walls? Fabric over batting. It would be luxe and at the same time sound reducing. But whatever you do or don't do, replace the door.

It really has that vintage Unibomber shack feel, doesn't it?

I like Julian's solution, I'm feeling a creamy white working well in the smallish, darkish room. Even if you are painting the walls, a minimal bed is the way to go and I love the idea of tulip bedside tables!

I also like a pair of wall-mounted swing arm lamps by the bed - you definitely need lighting other than the overhead source. Pottery Barn has a couple simple ones:

http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=shpclgtwalrea%7Crshop%2Fshpclgtwalrea%7Crshop%2Fshpclgt%7Crshop&pkey=clgtwalrea&gids=p6515&gids=p6515

http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=shpclgtwalrea%7Crshop%2Fshpclgtwalrea%7Crshop%2Fshpclgt%7Crshop&pkey=clgtwalrea&gids=p5855

I suggest a ceiling track-mounted drapery, which spans the entire window wall - Rose Brand has Kirsch track, but it's available other places as well.

I'd go all the way to the floor with the drapery, coz the "highwater" navy drape is bothersome. Smith & Noble can do a custom drapery for you; blackout/light blocking if need be. I also know of some seamstresses that do a great job for less $.

Also, it appears that the black etagere is just there to house some picture frames. I'd put the frames on the wall, and lose the piece altogether - although I thought the corner unit that Cindy suggested was nice looking.

I think given the size of the room, the less furniture, the better. I know this is dicey, but in this situation, maybe a captain's bed with the drawers built in the base would suffice. That way you'd hve your platform bed and additional storage without crowding up the room.

I actually rented a "shack" once in college (sight unseen - never again). That summer, the only length of time I lived there, I took the time to paint ALL the walls plain, old, white. It worked. It doesn't even take that long - the paneling - it's too depressing for words.

Once it's white, you'll see, almost anything looks better. In fact, dare I say, I would crackle paint the industrial bed to soften it, like it came actually from an abandoned insane asylum or hospital. I know this sounds weird, but instead of hanging a curtin or roller blind, get the Dignitet hardware set from Ikea - string it up wide from wall to window wall, hang it from the ceiling or walls, with a support in the middle, hang a floor-to-ceiling curtain. Splurge on the fabric for this item and the duvet cover. Try to avoid patterns unless monotone or very subtle, but get something with texture - silk dupioni, linen, even velvet... just something that is neutral, and warm, and get two wall-mounted lamps beside the bed - you can turn the shades or lamp up or down to create an effect on the wall.

For clothing storage: Linen cupboard LEKSVIK from Ikea. Cheap, tall, skinny, and has a mirror, and locks if you need to store something sacred. Put it in the corner somewhere. Plus, you are not spending too much money on a smallist, maybe temporary room.

With the art, I agree with the comments above - big canvas saved another one of my tiny apartments from actually *feeling* small. Pick the color you like, and get something that compliments your duvet and curtain. I recommend standard canvas mounted to wood frames, not glassed, matting/framed art as much in small rooms, unless you do a series of little ones. Then, make them plain black frames and white matting.

Last but not least, add a throw at the end of the bed. Splurge on a Suzani coverlet - the richness and ethnicity of this piece or type of piece will enrich the room with the large curtain wall, and provide a tempting "retreat" from the rest of the house. It should feel funky and sophisticated at the same time. And classic.

okay, you hate the paneling so rip it out (can you test a small area first, to see what *is* under there?) or paint it like wende said, without filling in the grooves.
BUT
my first reaction was to work it like that super cute bear room in the east village -- one of the finalists in the smallest coolest apt contest. If you can get past the hating, and get a big old piece of art to block a big old part of that wood...what a fun room that could be!

All your furniture is pointing in a different direction from that, but . . . it's just a thought....
bear room!

check out both sides of the bedroom on this link to jane and darko's thicket
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2006-entries/13-jane-darkos-cozy-thicket-007003

The floor-to-ceiling curtain---that's exactly what I was thinking of! It's just the right kind of BIG statement the room needs, plus it would give the room texture, and you could tie it in with any color scheme you want.

If it were my room I would:

-> go with white walls and dark wood theme

-> start by painting the walls white (leave the panels as is)

-> order the the west elm dresser for the corner

-> put up natural grass or bamboo blinds on the window with sheer white curtains on top

-> throw out that black metal shelf

-> paint the bed frame white

-> use simple wall shelves to place plants or lamps (west elm chocolate chunky wall shelves) http://ww1.westelm.com/cat/pip.cfm?template=8grid&pkey=cwllshe&gids=p193&cid=wllshe&area=shp

-> get white, beige, or off-white bedding.

-> a beige or white shag rug wouldn't hurt

-> if you can't decide on large art, consider a large mirror. this one is pricey, but the frame is beautiful http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1420&f=5114&viewall=1

-> if you choose color, go with a soft green or a turquoise, like in this photo: http://a1412.g.akamai.net/7/1412/8802/0001/image1.styleinamerica.com/weecimgs/images/products/200617/0001/img66m.jpg

Here are some good rules.

1. Start with a picture/painting/poster you like. Use those colors (and the artwork) in the room. Isolate two primary and two secondary colors. You can use a patterned rug instead of artwork.

2. Put the bed on the longest unbroken wall. In the Living Room, put the sofa against the longest unbroken wall.

3. Balance the room. Place the largest piece of furniture, or a window, or fireplace opposite the bed or sofa.

4. Find a focal in each room. Fireplace, window. Can be ceiling high plant or large armoire.

5. Don't put anything in the corners of a room. It makes the room look smaller. It is important to be able to see completely through the room at some point. Chairs, loveseats, and tables with legs that you can see through are good in small rooms.

6. Light the room. Think of the room as a clock, and put light at 2:00, 6:00, and 10:00.

Don't fill the cracks in the panelling, just paint it. It will end up (after about 3 coats, and you will have to use a brush in the grooves - no roller will cover that well) like there is just real wood under there. You will be suprised how great it will look. It will only take you a weekend.

Matches.

I wanted to address your questions directly about this room. I would paint it. Use Benjamin Moore. Use an indoor/outdoor primer to seal without sanding. Because you have fake boards of varying widths, I would consider not caulking them. I would paint the walls white, and then I would do a sponge finish with one of my primary colors. Be careful to just sponge the top. Leave the grooves white. You don't have to use a glaze if you don't want to. Just a light color like celadon. You could get a great whitewashed wall for cheap. If you want to keep the silver bed, then silver must be one of the chosen colors. If you want to paint it, Benjamin Moore has a product that will make the bed look like wrought iron. (The paint has metal flecks in it, so I stir it as i paint.)

If the bed is black, that is good. EVERYROOM SHOULD HAVE ONE BLACK OBJECT.

Go online for draperies. You can get great stuff at 10% off retail.

If you want really MODERN and simple and love your silver bed, consider a whitewashed wall, whitewashed nightstand, and get an old chest or armoire for the wall opposite your bed, and whitewash it. (Paint it white with a brush, and then sponge on white, either glazed or not. If you are not afraid of glaze, consider sponging EVERY OTHER BOARD with glaze. It will blow you mind, and look really expensive.) Find beautiful silvery white draperies or silvery sheers over white, and you are done. Leave you stand black, and move it opposite the window, even if you have to hang it.

Draperies are 10% OF retail online.

When painting with Benjamin Moore, ONE COAT OF PAINT ONLY PLEASE. And lightly sand between the first and second primer coats. You will not have that built up paint thing.

Tha room has a lot of potential. Good luck. And consider a silver whitewash for your room. It could be outstanding. Practice on the back of your night stand.

Echoing what Team Decor says... good primer will save you a lifetime of hassle. Especially if that *is* real wood.

Thanks chzpic-But even if it is not wood, it has been sealed with a poly, and can't be painted without primer unless you like chipping paint.

Picture of painted paneling in a dining room, yummy:
http://tinyurl.com/k7xgf
It gives you the tips to paint it properly.

Next, let's check out that seaside look: AW, GEEZ, they've "disconnected" that area. The above section, the Decorating Center with the Gallery of Rooms, I get a "Page not found" when I click on the main Gallery of Rooms link. I'm upset. And I browsed through everything I could find and can't find the picture I'm thinking of.

Nevertheless, I still have a couple ideas that I found along the way, Master of Moxie:
http://tinyurl.com/e8dbc

And Go With Style:
http://tinyurl.com/hbhdw

The color scheme of the Master of Moxie. And consider the wall arrangement in Go With Style...which can be done with IKEA items, shelving and wall-mounted shelving, with the headboard in the niche.

Use those wall mounted swing arm lamps, just like in the BHG picture for reading.

You could wall mount shelves above, or even kitchen cabinets, that will provide a clean, neat look, protecting the contents from light and dust. Because, uh, seriously, who wants to stand on the bed to dust the shelves above?

PAX wardrobes have a ton of door options, start browsing here:
http://tinyurl.com/q7cve

They even have mirrored doors that could be on each side of the bed, reflecting light.

Depending on how deep they could be, you may switch to bookcases instead of the wardrobes. Whatever will fit in that niche next to the bed and closet door. If bookcases are still too deep, then you head over to the bathroom cabinets, like the VATTERN series, which can be as shallow as about 9".
http://tinyurl.com/ewyqh

You can match up the side units with cabinets to go across the top of the headboard area, and there's even a glass door that has silvery trim, that would match up to the bed. You could do a white and silver color combination. Maybe with these lights?:
http://tinyurl.com/f7fns

Or these: http://tinyurl.com/j2bdd

And for the wall at the end of the bed, this:
http://tinyurl.com/egtzd

That thing is HUGE. It's over six feet wide. It turns a too-close wall into an expansive view. It totally fools the eye into believing that there is an infinite sea at the end of the bed rather than a wall.

Yup, I'm a total IKEA fan! hah!

Mimi,
I actually just saw pictures of paneled walls that were drastically changed with white washing.

You can find images of the before and afters here http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/main-pages.php?page_id=main/home_mods/virtual_tour.php

I thought it was a great example of how much of a change painting over it could make and I could also publicize this great organization.

If you want something to look like a wood paneled room them paint away. Filling up the grooves won't result in anything nice - just, unfortunately, bumpy walls.

To really get the look you want, you would have to spend a massive amount of time filling and spanding that you are better off taking down the paneling. Putting up new drywall is a lot scarier then it sounds and it's a good long term invest for your home.

The short term solution might be priming and painting the walls until you are ready to take the next step.

You could use mirrors to make the room feel bigger - try a narrow floor to ceiling mirror that butts up against a corner. The adjacent wall will look longer, but the room's resident usually won't see too much of themselves.

It is hard to suggest the best corner just from the pictures, but the narrow bit of wall behind the display stand and next to the window looks like a candidate.

Mimi!

Congratulations! You're the next victim of my attempts at using Painter. I really don't know how to do what I want to do in the program. But I'll try to tell you what I tried to do.

I used the VATTERN with the glass and metal-looking doors on each side of the bed. Those things that look like white stripes going between the two cabinets are supposed to be shelves. Really. They are supposed to be shelves! There are two vases on them from IKEA.

I used the first lamp that I suggested in my first post, that's what the blob on the left side of the bed is supposed to be. There would be two, one on each side.

I added a seaside picture, also from IKEA, between the two lamps. I forgot to do a frame, but a silvery one would be swell.

I've painted the ceiling sky blue, in the same color range as is in the picture on the wall behind the bed. I added white crown molding between the wall and ceiling. The walls are not completely white, they are more of a sand color. Which ties into the overall scheme of "seaside".

For the window area, I'd use these style of curtains, with the same silvery rod:
http://tinyurl.com/zp2lo

They look vaguely seaside without screaming "Ahoy, mate" and demanding nautical flags. They may not completely block out the light. I'd do a layer underneath that is more light/sound blocking, like this: http://tinyurl.com/kt9jd

That gives him several window options, having both closed for maximum sound and light control. Shade open, drapes closed. Drapes open, shade closed. Shade can be part way up either with the drapes open or closed.

There are off-white and beige for the shade color choices and brown, beige, and bleached for the curtains. I think the beige over off-white might be nice, as well as the bleached over the beige.

A light like this one where the current shelves are:
http://tinyurl.com/n3plz

Last thing from IKEA (hey, I filled up the room already) is to mount a hook on the wall below that lamp (which is next to the window) and hang this up:
http://tinyurl.com/n5jrg

In grey- blue. It provides an additional spot to sit, put on shoes/socks, and is out of the way when not in use.

IKEA also has under-bed storage that can be used for clothing (out of season) or shoes. Freeing up the closet for only the current things in use.

Even if the bed was eventually removed, the decor would work for a great home office, just tuck the desk in the headboard niche. Or a small media room. You have LOTS of options. And great suggestions from a lot of people to choose from!

Oops. Link would help.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96179754@N00/

Here's another way to treat the bed and lighting, check out Melanie and Doug's here:
http://tinyurl.com/lncr7

Clamp on lights that can be adjusted up or down. And a pair of pictures. Looks good!

Even though you say you want to make the paneling go away, I kind of agree with Jeffery-- what appears sort of scary now could be a really great feature. BUT I'd:

Remove the paneling from the back of the door
Move to an upholstered headboard.
Get BIG art.
Lighten up (and lengthen) the drapes.
Cover the hardwood floor.
Use white-painted wood furniture.

Could end up looking very "Fire Island Summer Share".

(of course, that advice is null and void if the rest of your home leans more toward the silver/metal vibe your pieces here may seem to indicate.. unless you want this room to be a real departure from what you have going on elsewhere...)

I had panelling in my bedroom as a pre-teen/teenager and we painted over it--it looked decent. I think filling in the holes would be a nightmare. Thick nap roller is your answer. When you're ready, I don't think putting up drywall would be too hard...I've done drywall before. It takes some work, but it's not as difficult as you'd think. But, for now, I think painting it would be a good solution.

(not that this matters, but I think this is the kind of "paneling" that is actually big sheets of printed/veneered masonite... but that may effect paint prep/application. It ALSO may mean you will have the issue of remnant construction adhesive if you take it down...)

I had a similar problem with paneling in a converted garage. I painted it glossy white (BM Atrium White), and the non-paneled walls got a BM Historical Color that'a a soft turquoise blue (don't have my color chips here, so I can't confirm the color..is there a Coventry Blue?). Wide-slat wood blinds with 1950's pattern ladder tapes. Looks great.

Some things I learned...fill the seams at the ends of the planks, but don't bother with the groves. Apply a stain killer like Bin -- two coats -- first. Apply two to three coats of paint with a thick roller.

It is more work than I was ready to do to remove the planks. Odds are that you will have to replace the wall board if you do that.

I saw an interesting solution for paneling in a very dark, 100-year-old cabin (redwood planking everywhere, which had aged to a deep purple hue). The owner covered the top half of the walls with fabric, with padding behind it and tacks spaced in a large patern to create tufting (shallow tufting...don't think upholstered van here). A chair rail ran around the room, and the bottom half of the wall acted as wainscoting. It looked cozy, and it softened the feeling of being in a wood box. It's not modern and sleek, but it was attractive. ANd easy to do yourself.

Pat,

where did you see the solution? magazine? online?

thanks,
Heather

This isn't the first time this issue has come up. I'm pretty sure I told about this a year ago, but my sister's first house had this stuff, except that it really was real wood and she had such a battle with herself about hating the idea of painting over real wood.

So, she compromised and put in a chair rail, and only painted above it. She used a light grey paint, and it looked really nice. Before that, it had looked like a tomb. WAY too dark.

I agree with all who say that regardless of what you do to the room, the door just must be replaced. OR... if the OTHER side of the door is working really well in the context of whatever corridor space that it shares with other doors, then please, please, please yank the panelling off THIS side of the door, and then do what you have to do to sand off all the glue and re-finish it.

I kind of agree with Jeffery about the possibility of salaving the look of this wood-esque thing if you went with that darkest brown as a stain for a VERY chunky new bed. Shaker quilts tend to be a certain kind of traditional and yet very modern in their simplicity and yet would brighten up the place without going cutesy.

That kind of depends on whether you're needing to continue welcomign the guy you mentioned that was staying there or whether you're needing to make him KNOW that it's not really for him.

I would paint the wood paneling a white, or a cream color - it'll freshen up everything significantly. I'd open up the windows as well and let some decent light in. Depending on your budget, you might want to keep some or no furniture in the room. this looks like an ikea bed to me - which is a decent bed, esp for a guest room. But the cheapest way to get this spruced up is to paint over the depressing wood color. Prime it first, then paint.

Am I the only person who really likes the paneling? I don't like the bed or the lamp. ;)

I saw the wainscoting solution when I was house-hunting. It really looked nice. Not cute or stuffy at all. Kind of country house sophisticated.

what is worse than paneling? Painted Paneling.

I kind of second Julian's ideas. There are many things in the room currently competing for visual attention, the wall and its texture, the joints on and nail/screws/dowels on the panelling, open shelves loaded with stuff, etc.

Don't paint over the walls or fill the joints. If the current colour on them is deepened by stain, I would recommend sanding them down and just adding a clear finish over them. The distraction of joints can be minimised with wall coverings (use lighter colours). Accessorise using lighter colours and adopt minimalistic themes, unless you decide on one or two busy objects you want to retain as focal points.

Hide the clutter (not recommended - get the clutter organised instead with small containers, trays, etc within closets) with closets/cupboards.

Try and replace the bed with something a little more simpler and lower. Bed coverings and curtains should preferably have single, bold, light colours.

IKEA, while cheap, does not have to be bad. It is just a matter of looking around for things you like. IKEA used to have thin tall closets that you could store coats in, along with shelving lower down.

It's hard to let the Fire Island Summer Share Meets Lumberjack Casual fantasy go, but since it looks like the paneling will soon be history . . .

If you do a window treatment with floor-length-ish sheers and opaque panels (careful about the heater below the window), the room and the window will look taller and larger. I would do the panels and the duvet cover in the same color, but the sheers and sheets in white. Cooler colors--blues, greens, grays, whites--would make the room look larger. I'd paint the paneling a silvery gray lighter than the bed frame but dark enough to make any white furniture pop. I would paint the trim, ceiling and any doors decorator white. I would move the bed (if possible) and put a white nightstand with drawers and a lamp on both sides. The drawers would be good for storage without bringing in a chest or dresser (check out IKEA's Malm series in white). Lamps with slim bases in brushed steel or something reflective will add a little zip without looking heavy. I would go with open, wall-mounted, shallow shelving (white laminate shelves and wall brackets are dirt cheap at any decent-sized hardware store). I think big art would make the room seem smaller, but one or two small pieces would add a nice something.

be careful painting paneling...it has an oily surface that must be removed first or the paint won't stick

Wow, so many good ideas! I love AT, hoho... I really appreciate the help from each of you.

So let's see:
- Definitely remove the panel from the closet door.
- Opinions are half divided between painting and tearing down the paneling...to maximize my chances, I'll paint first (no crack filling, of course) and then see whether to tear down, because there is no way to try paint once I tear them down.
- Replace curtain with lighter sheers (floor length) over shades, or maybe shade alone. Floor-to-ceiling curtain sounds tempting...although I am worrying whether it would feel suffocating with so much fabric in the small room...and if I have to leave the entire wall alone for the curtain, will it look bland?
- Better lighting, such as wall mounted lamps. I think wall mounted is good choice for this room since it saves square footage for other stuff. Although one thing I don't like about wall mounted lamps is that they always remind me of hotel rooms, and that wiring might be visible. What do you guys think about pendent lamps? Maybe two skinny ones, one on each side of the bed? (but then closet door might slam into one of them)
- White furnitures. The picture doesn't show the nightstand much, but it is white already, with two drawers. Jeffery's paint color suggestion is awesome, pulls together both the silver bed and white furniture. I'm gonna try that.

I'm not into metallic furnitures. In fact, the only two metallic furnitures in the house are both here, the bed and the black stand. I will replace the black stand once I find a fitting, white tall narrow dresser to put against the wall next to window. The wall opposite the bed has no room for any furniture. But definitely good place for wall art.

I actually like floor mirror better than smaller wall mirror, but don't see a good place for it though. Probably will end up having a mirror on the wall next to closet door, or on top of dresser.

Thank you all again for all the great ideas!

Oh and I posted too fast, just wanted to thank Andree. I can't believe you actually re-drew my room, hahaha, Must have taken quite some time.
I don't think it will be too hard to insert some seaside feeling if I am going with white furnitures and light airy scheme.
Too many people to thank, so thank you all!

Mimi:

In case you ever come back here, I finally found the picture I was looking for before:
http://tinyurl.com/r5uxg