Today, while many homeowners have phased out the dark and dreary feature in favor of neutral or brightly painted drywall, paneling remains in plenty of homes that haven't been remodeled in decades. ... If, however, the walls are covered by sheets of wood-look panels, pull them off now!

Is wood paneling making a comeback?

Bringing the natural world indoors, wood paneling is making a comeback. ... In the '60s and '70s, wood paneling, often made in plywood-sized sheets, was popular in home decor. But like avocado-colored refrigerators, the look didn't last. Now refreshed, wood paneling is returning to designers' playbooks.

When did wood paneling go out of style?

1970s: Wood paneling

Wood paneling was popular from the 1950s through the 1970s for being low-cost and easy to install. Like the ranch house, it fell out of popularity when it became too common, but now it's back on the scene.