Stained wood baseboard/trim to match floors or painted base?

11 years ago

We uncovered and refinished the oak floors throughout the lower floor of our new home. They were stained with a 1/2 part golden oak so they are more brown than orange (don't like orange oak!). Need to switch out the trim around all windows and doors, was thinking of keeping the window liners as they are nice oak boards (might mean going to a darker brown stain to save me on too much sanding as I am about to have a baby).

This is in the dining/living area. It has a few large windows, a bay window, front door, and patio doors that all need updating.

I am leaning towards keeping wood, reframing the windows with a more period style (1930's). I love wood and have only lived with painted wood! The other option is wood windows with painted baseboards, or go all painted.

Trying to not spend a fortune but also wanting this project to look really good as we plan to live here a long time. Someone told me that wood trim makes a space look smaller and I don't want that. Help!

Featured Answer

jhmarie

11 years ago

If there is no other painted trim, and you do not plan on painting any of the trim, then stain the baseboards - similar to old houses and craftsman style.

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Comments (15)

gtcircus
11 years ago
If you want the space to look grounded, go with something greater than 3 inch baseboards. I would suggest 5-6 inch baseboards and you can stain. To get the room to look more balanced, try a warm color which will compliment the wood like a green or a grey green. As far as paint or stain, it depends on the look you are going with. Stain will be more rustic. If you paint the baseboard then pain the rest of the trim, otherwise it will look too much like an Easter Egg.

Good luck
PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
11 years ago
I prefer the look of painted trim/baseboards. I always feel exposed wood looks like there was never enough money/time to finish the paint job. But that's just me.
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PRO
Flo de Bretagne
11 years ago
I agree with the comment above. Paint the trim / baseboards.
David H.
11 years ago
Beefy baseboards stained slightly darker than the floor will provide contrast, make the room look more substantial and you will never have to repaint the baseboards. This is especially helpful if you have a tendency to bump the baseboards while vacuuming/cleaning.
PRO
Johanne Blansche Designs
11 years ago
Paint the trim and baseboards, it always looks so clean and fresh . Your house will look less dated in the future.
Tina
11 years ago
Paint the trim and baseboards.
PRO
Flo de Bretagne
11 years ago
I like the 3rd pic above!
printesa
11 years ago
Given the color of your wood, I would do white trim. For me, for a wood trim to work, it needs to be dark and with nice details
lebotanica
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for all the thoughts and advice!

Love how some trim can be plain and have a sleek or rustic look, but I agree that it would need to be all over the house. I am realizing that the rest of the house short of the kitchen has the original painted trim.
We have removed all baseboards on the bottom level so I was looking for an opportunity to change it up. The house is more towards plain though, no cool craftsman details to work with unfortunately.
phillippower
10 years ago
If you paint the wood baseboards and trim, you may as well buy a composite wood or even a plastic material. You'd be spending the money on the value of the wood and giving it away. In my opinion, painting wood should only be a last resort if refinishing the wood is too difficult and the wood is too far gone. I anticipate in 10 years there will be throngs of people regretting their decision to paint wood for the sake of aestheticism.
PJ Paden
10 years ago
Agree with above! We bought a home built in 1898 and are currently working on stripping paint from wood trim. The trim is beautiful underneath the paint! Thanks to the person that posted the pictures above. I plan on something like the Atlanta Bungalow with my baseboard, door and window trim a bit darker than the floor.
derk5
10 years ago
Floors look great. I would add stained wood baseboard to match the window and door trim. Personally, I love stained wood trim everywhere!
Gabriela Barragan
4 years ago
Hi do you have a update picture of youro proyect? we are thinking about to paint just the baseboard white. Advice Advice, please please!
Victoria Tablizo
last year
Beautiful floors and window molding. I love how the window molding is slightly darker than the flooring. (Or so it looks in the photo!!). Personally if the budget allows I’d do stained baseboards with a wider profile. .I love them stained as you never see dirt and cleaning them is a breeze. Happy decorating.