I'm with feeny. I love it, and would leave it as it is.

Wood ceilings do make rooms dark, but in addition to the fact you love it, this is clearly a design feature - especially as it wraps all the way around and looks very nicely made - so it would be a real shame to paint it. Definitely don't paint just the slats and not the beams - this can look good when you have big old beams mixed with new wood, but that isn't the case here.

Try a few lamps that cast light up in strategic places. . . maybe on the ledge to the right of the fireplace, between the couch and the chair. . . . if light is thrown onto it it'll create warm light and draw attention to it, as well.

you are right its dark. . .you should do smt to lighten up. .

The ceiling seems so low. I think painting it would brighten the space and make it seem higher

maybe paint the walls a softer color, so the contrast between walls and ceiling is less stark and add better light as suggested?

I think you're putting way too much emphasis on the ceilings. Replace the counters, kitchen floors and backsplash and leave the ceilings as they are.

See HGTV "Jennie Garth" episode…#2? Ceiling exactly like yours…stripped off old finish (if there is any) and bleach (wood bleach). It's messy work but worth the effort and much easier to "change your mind" than paint. CAREFULLY CONSIDER PAINTING.

I am a fan of painting wood, generally, especially if it will help the space feel brighter and more spacious. That being said, I really DO NOT think its necessary in this case. Choosing a paint color that is lower contrast to the wall, while still being bright/light. In addition, remove other wood items in the room that only draw your eye towards/enhance the dark color of the wood. For example Replace wood coffee table with glass or metal with mirror top to reflect more light and add some shine to the space. Choosing new accent colors for area rug/pillows can also lighten up a space tremendously. If you go with a beige and sage or robins egg blue (or all 3) and mix in some golds with metal accent furniture, candelabras, and even textured pillows etc, you can vastly change the feel of the room to feel brighter without breaking the bank and loosing a beautiful feature in your home.

If you are thinking about painting any wood in this area, it should definitely be the kitchen cabinets.

I'm with the people who suggest painting the walls. Possibly a warm gray that's a shade darker than the upholstery? Then I'd get lots of up-lighting; chandeliers or torchieres. Ilana's suggestion to replace other wood objects with something else is interesting!

Embrace the wood ceiling! you can make the room more spacious with less bulky funirutre. maybe some track lighting as well

Love the wood, paint the kitchen cabinets instead.

Some examples

HI -- Love that ceiling . Maybe beef up the lighting to LED , to take care some of the dark . Lighter toned furniture and maybe adding some white furniture . Maybe painting all and any of the other wood like the trims and maybe the kitchen cabinets but leave the ceilings as the only wood feature in the room.

We use wood ceilings in many of our projects. I am always careful to up light the wood with lighting, so that it adds a glowing wood color and feeling to the space. In the attached photo from our Lake Forest Park project, you can see how the up lighting of the wood ceiling works.

white wash the ceiling, and maybe paint the beams a solid white.

an example.