Is it crazy to paint wood paneling?

[AmbitiousHalibut]

Hello,

We're looking at buying a lovely period property but I can see from the photos that it has lots of rich coloured wood paneling throughout the hallway and stairs. I think it's going to make the house potentially really dark. It's a great house in all other regards. Would I be some sort of monster to consider painting the paneling a lighter colour?!
We are planning to make this our forever home, so I'm not massively concerned about the resale value, but equally I don't want to ruin something. I just don't want to live in a really dark space - or rule out a lovely house - if a lick of paint is all that's needed.
Thanks!

Is the house listed? You might not be able to paint the panelling if it is.

It doesn't say so in the estate agents brochure but thank you, it's certainly a question I can ask. If it's not listed, what do you think?

Definitely paint it! My mum painted loads of panelling at our family house growing up and it looked fab. Completely transformed a very dark hall and sitting room.

if it’s not grade 1 listed go for it.

If it isn't listed, I would go for it. It will look lovely.

And people won't weep and call me a philistine?! I've got lovely ideas about pale greys... Haven't even bought the house and am following all kinds of Instagram accounts for period decor!

Have a look at homefunkyhome on instagram. She painted a load of original panelling and I was thinking she was a bit of a philistine before she did it, but actually it looks amazing and I've changed my mind..

I am all for period features, but I think panelling looks even nicer painted :)

It depends which period the house is, some panelling would have been painted, some not. If it's 16thC linenfold panelling then you are a philistine, if it's Georgian it would have been painted traditionally so fill your boots!

someone somewhere will weep, but they won't live in the type of house you like, each to their own, if it feels too dark I'd definitely paint it, it'll look lovely.

My aunt had it in her hallway she painted it, it looked great!

Thank you all very much! Much appreciated. I shall cross fingers it's not listed and go from there.

I mean, I'll obviously also actually check it's not listed (!), but still, in the meantime I'll adopt the crossed fingers approach.

The website of the local council should show whether it’s listed.

Painted labelling in a colour that fits the period of the house looks more 'period' anyway, in my opinion. What period is the house?

Labelling??? PANELLING!!

@Bluesheep8
It's 1930s. I assume that still counts as period?! To be honest, we're having a bit of a hard time with the estate agent so not sure it's going to work out, but I'm telling myself all the clichés about "what's for you won't go by you" and so on!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts though. I really hope I get to post again in future as the owner of some painted wood paneling!

I have a panelled hall and stairs in my 1930s house and it's on my list to paint it. It is sooo dark. A neighbour (identical houses!) has hers painted and it's beautiful. My dad's horrified I want to paint it, someone always will be!

We're looking at doing it to our Victorian wood panelling! Have a look at pictures of (or the real thing if you're nearby!) Blackwell House near Windermere in the Lake District - they have a gorgeous room which is all painted wood panelling!

1930s? Unless it's a Lutyens or Lloyd-Wright you'll be fine.

1930s paint paint paint! (I am a period house purist).

Paint, but please not grey. It's such a "fashion " colour, but last year and the year before.