Smooth might give you the most versatility once this Fixer Upper Joanna Gaines trend is over.

(Actually even she is moving away some from the whole farmhouse look in some of her recent designs)

smooth

Clean white look is so “in” right now...smooth clean beams on ceiling paired with rough fireplace beam. Adding a little character, not everything has to be so “matchy”.

Yes, much easier to later change a mantle than change a beam if you get sick of the rough

You can have distressed and interesting beam and mantle without the rough sawn look

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You could tack some rustic over the smooth if you didn't like them, but you couldn't pay me enough to abrade rustic into smooth.

I would go with smooth beams as they seem to look more modern and easier to both clean and paint should you desire to do that later. Good luck... we have similar decision to make with our design rep for our builder. We have decided on smooth beams - knotty alder. Now having difficulty deciding on stain color. We're wondering if beams should be same color as built-in cabinets (reclaimed wood color), or should we have ceiling beams stained in walnut or caramel color (see inserted pics for example of walnut and caramel color). Our wood floors will be a light French oak color. Any thoughts?

I wanted smooth too but my builder is not loving that idea. He said the other is more forgiving and that he would sand the “hair” down.