That paneling doesn't look so bad, as paneling goes, I think. Even though I'm not usually the biggest MCM fan, I think that look would be the most appealing in this space. The big corner windows and wood tones remind me a bit of the interior at Fallingwater--I'd look for pictures of that space and go from there.

White bookcases in front of it, curtains, and a huge painting, tapestry, or series of photographs. You don't have to cover it all, just tone it down. I even once hung a nice sheet to cover a bad wall in a place I was subletting for a couple months - made a huge difference.

Wow, that reminds me of Finland with the wood. I would suggest getting a hold of some BIG frames or canvases (4-5), and picking two or three Marimekko patterns and making a series out of them. Hang them on the big panelled wall, and the white wall too.

If that is the bedroom, you can flank the walls in luscious curtains to create a moody, comfortable escape. :)

Laura
http://www.grafxnerd.net

Are you sure you can't paint over it? Have you asked? And if so, please pick up the molding while you're at it. If not, a friend of mine once tacked light-colored, neutral fabric over a wood-paneled wall. The fabric needs to be pretty thick to work. It was very labor intensive, but it did look nice.

fabric and corn-starch! google it.
plus, it's nice and easy to take down when the time comes.

cheap sheets just staple them or velcro them. also luan sheets just nail in with really small nails you can paint the luan anycolor. just go to lowes or homedepot you can get so many ideas, and fun ones.

fabric. cover the walls with curtains or tapestries or some expanse of fabric.

or those strawpaper panels from ikea for a grasscloth-ish effect.

What's wrong with living with paneling?
Sure beats plain ol' sheetrock.

you should leave it as is! with bookcases, standing lamps, bed, etc in front of the walls, it should break them up enough.

just do something with the white accent wall to draw attention to that. the white draws too much attention to the other walls. Maybe try putting the fabric on the white wall instead.

the wood panelling is beautiful!!

If you can't beat 'em join 'em. First thing you need to do is wash the paneling. Murphy's oil soap and a sponge mop will do the job. When that's done and dry, a clean white cloth and lemon oil will bring out the richness of the wood. If it's not real wood, you are done after the washing. It's amazing what fresh and clean will do for any surface. Curtains are going to make a big difference here. West elm has great, inexpensive white linen floor to ceiling curtains. Textured fabrics and attractive lighting will help as well. You're lucky this is a bright room and the paneling looks in good shape. Also the blue rug works pretty well. Keep what you add simple, white, cream, khaki and you could have yourself a pretty great space. Good luck!

If you don't like the paneling, cover it as much as possible with tapestries, art, etc. Even a pretty quilt/blanket can work as art to cover it up.

If you like it, join it - get furnishings that match the era.

Cover all the walls with fabric, using one rod at ceiling height, or shirred on curtain rods at ceiling and floor levels. Modify this to expose the windows, but use the sheets to make window curtains, too. Sheets are big & inexpensive if you buy them at a discount store. Coordinate the sheeting/walls with the other furnishings - make pillows from the sheets, or buy a bedspread in the same or coordinating fabric. I've seen pics of rooms done like this. It looks exotic, warm, cozy. You might like it so much that you move it to your new home.

I agree that the wood panelling doesn't look that bad... just clean it up and try to draw more attention to the white wall... can you paint the white wall?

Starch and fabric for sure! I have done this over my own paneling, as well as helped a friend do it in her apartment for an accent wall. It takes a few hours, but is less labor intensive than painting. Plus, it's totally interchangeable and the fabric can be washed and used again.

http://uberchicforcheap.blogspot.com/2009/01/diy-home-edition.html

Definitely simplify what you add to the room. Think about making the panelling feel intentional.

If you can paint the drywall at all, I'd recommend darker, more desaturated colors. A dark gray would anchor the room, allow the panelling to feel "warm" and frame your "almost" corner window nicely.

The hues you've just inherited are the warmth of the wood tone and the blue in the carpeting. Think carefully when adding additional color to those two key players.

I'd need to know more about floorplan and furnishings before advising on which wall to anchor what to. You definitely have wall space, which is great.

Not to second guess, but did you ask your landlord if you can paint it? Maybe if you offer to give them approval of your paint and color, they'll let you. Can't hurt to ask!

We painted the paneling in our living/dining room and I think it came out cute. But it was real wood paneling, not the fiberboard stuff from the 70's.

Before:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanawaters/2393281440/in/set-72157604071941318/

After:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanawaters/3022449356/?edited=1

How long are you going to be there for? If 1 year maybe try something that is cheap and will look good for short term, like wrapping paper. If you are crafty you could even do something like butcher paper and stamp it.

i bet everyone else already said this (too lazy to read other comments), but the quickest fix is to hang beautiful, sheer fabric across the walls. buy two of these:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60075295

and hang them from the ceiling. choose something sheer and white so that light will come through on the windowed wall. this will also double as your window treatment! and another plus: the fabric will hide any wires or extension cords you use.

if you keep everything light and simple, it will look FABULOUS.

It looks like a lovely room, really. I would suggest putting the head of your bed against the windowless paneled wall. I think that will really draw attention away from the paneling and toward the windows. Plus, that way you have the best view from the bed - As it should be. I would not use a large headboard of fabric treatment at the head of the bed. I think if you cover the paneling opposite the window, the space will look too boxed in. Though, something light colored that allows the paneling to show on all sides might be nice. Maybe a mirror to lighten up the space even more.

I do not recommend putting the head of the bed against the white wall. I'm afraid that would really make the walls feel like they were closing in on you.

I think you'll be surprised by how well you can make the room work once you get your things inside.

Good luck!

Maybe you could invest in some of that re-usable wall paper....so you can take it down when you move. If not....lots of great fabric should do the trick.

I had the same problem in one of my old apartments...I learned to live with it.

Wash and polish it, while you're figuring out what to do with it.

Paneling isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the fact that it's never cleaned and polished makes it look impossible.

i think if you just painted the molding some nice blue color to accentuate the rug, it would work wonders. ask your landlord if you can paint the trim. so much less work!

Maybe try talking to the owner again and discussing the paneling. It's possible he/she doesn't really like it that much, but doesn't want anyone to touch it in fear they'll come back to find it a brilliant blue or horrible shade of green. Since paneling doesn't look good, maybe ask if you can whitewash it at least.

This is kind of wacky, but what popped into my mind is to paint the non-paneled wall baby blue and then paint over it in white glaze and use a wood grain painting tool to created a painted grain. I love brown and baby blue together the idea of using more fake wood to combat the fake wood appeals to me.