Software
Houzz Logo Print
amber_gaffney

Paint trim white or keep natural oak?

8 years ago
I just bought my first home and we close next week. The house has oak trim throughout the house and it looks good, but really is not my style. I'm thinking of doing the whole house white, but am concerned about how it will look with wooden ceiling in living/dining room. Iv added some pics of house from listing. We will be painting the house in grey, neutral colors. any advice would be appreciated.

Comments (26)

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I hate oak it is everywhere and not usually good quality so I would paint all the trim and the cabinets and leave the ceiling.

  • 8 years ago

    start with the trim. start in an enclosed room ( like a bedroom) so you can get the hang of it without having a giant half finished living space, work from there. you might like your cabinets more if there isnt so much oak trim other places.

  • 8 years ago

    congratulations on your new home - how exciting is that.

    You could paint the ceiling white also if you wanted - after doing the trim.

  • 8 years ago
    I have to agree with everyone here! That's a lot of oak(not my favorite)! It may just be the photo but the floor and ceiling seem to be very different in tone. I would paint the ceiling; you would still have the wonderful texture of the wood but it would lighten this space. Then painting the trim will make more sense. The kitchen looks like it's in good shape but painting it will modernize it considerably. Congrats on your lovely new home!
  • 8 years ago

    The ceiling has a "heavy" look to me. I agree with painting it.

  • 8 years ago
    All white! You won't regret it because you can play with the greys and browns of furnishings. Good luck!
  • 8 years ago

    Since I love oak and have a house full of that and other wood, I'm definitely not speaking as someone against wood. But that ceiling is a dreadful thing to behold. It falls right on you! Please make it white. Please?

    As lynartist says: the floor doesn't fit with the ceiling nor the kitchen. So you better paint both of those last two quickly.

    Wonder how good that kitchen would look in a lighter mid grey. Or even a darker kind of teal blue?

    Have fun!

  • 8 years ago

    That house looks nice but I wouldn't paint it all white. Its not my style either but It looks great as it is.I would keep the ceiling as it is but maybe try painting the kitchen a darker/lighter color.

  • 8 years ago
    Is it me? I don't see any oak trim in the photos. The only unpainted wood I see is cabinets, floor, and ceiling. Where is the trim? I don't understand how anyone can advise you on whether to paint it or not if they haven't seen it.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Not just you. None is pictured

  • 8 years ago
    unfortunately, the pics are from the listing so I am limited on what I could post to show trim. this is the only other pic they have. I think I will go with the white and maybe do ceiling at a later time depending on how it looks. kitchen cabinets are a option though I'm not sure what color.
  • 8 years ago
    What do the interior doors look like? Painting trim white is unlikely to be a disastrous choice, but probably not a good idea to make the decision based on advice from people who haven't seen the trim.
  • 8 years ago

    There is trim, the poster said so, the picture proves it.

  • 8 years ago

    Well we've seen the ceiling and it needs to be painted.

  • 8 years ago
    the doors are the same color as the trim/cabnet/ceiling. We would probably paint those too if we did trim. It's such a hard decision to make.
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I can decide without seeing trim, paint all of it white. It is overpowering and not in a good way. But agree to start in a small space and then work from there. BM Oxford White would work well in your space I believe.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    If you think painting is too much, consider a white wash on the woods, and see what that does, but the ceiling is just so heavy. I would feel crushed by that myself. Having said all this, you are buying it, so perhaps you love it all? If so, move in and see how it feels and make decision in small steps. Once you get a feel for what appeals to you, then the rest will be easier.

  • 8 years ago

    Yes on white trim, absolutely no doubt. Wait to paint anything else until that's done and you've lived with it for awhile. Maybe consider white washing the ceiling so some character of the wood remains. I personally love wood clad ceilings. Painting cabinets is much harder to do than it looks and have a good finish that lasts in high use areas like kitchen and bath. Those would be my last choice to paint. Updating the hardware is a really easy way to update the kitchen, and I would also consider taking out the small scale, dark tile backsplash. You can do way better than that. And, if you're not an oak fan, I doubt you'll have tons of oak furniture like the sellers did. That will help a lot too. So do take your time. You might end up liking it once you've been there for a bit.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    leave the wood ceiling, it's very pretty, and paint the trim. Paint all the trim/baseboards and kitchen cabs in the white. leave the ceiling for some nice wood contrast. you can always go back and paint it at a later time. if you do leave it, pick a warm toned gray for the walls. a blue/gray will fight the warm wood tone.

    I'd also replace that flooring before I painted the ceiling. The ceiling is the only thing that's positive in that entire space (color/looks-wise)

  • 8 years ago
    I don't think the ceiling is oak, is it (I like it)? What material is the floor? I tend to agree with Beth that the floor isn't great, but it could just be the photos. Obviously I'm in the minority on this, but I don't think very specific advice is appropriate, given the quality of the photos you have provided. If you had just asked general questions, and provided NO photos, I wouldn't feel this way. So maybe I am being silly, but I think you should take all of this advice with a grain of salt. Painting oak trim is kind of a no-brainer, but it's still something you can't undo.

    I think if you can wait, wait. But you may want to paint before moving in. Since there is a lot of competing wood going on, it seems like painting the trim a white is. It a risky proposition. Would you paint the doors as well?
  • 8 years ago
    There are a few things to consider. What style is the house overall, is it contemporary outside as well.
    What look are you going for? What style is your furniture, or are you buying new.
    My opinion, paint the trim white, not a blinding white.
    I can't find fault with the ceiling or the floors.
    One more thing, I hope you don't use any oak furniture!
  • 8 years ago
    I have the same situation. I am currently painting my trim. I started in a bedroom as one person suggested above. I love it. Slowly moving room to room. I have a wood ceiling but only half of my level (in the kitchen is wood) similar layout but flip flop of yours. I am leaving the wood ceiling. Someone mentioned character or a differentiator. That's how I see it. It's different and adds a unique touch that not everyone has. When I'm done with my projects and kitchen- the ceiling will be the only "oak" or "wood wood" look to our house. I have searched high and low for ideas in to paint or not paint the ceiling. I have settled on not to paint. I plan on possibly doing white beams like in these pictures. Isn't that beautiful!?? Keep it!!! :)
    Paint the trim, walls and maybe get new floors (darker) before even thinking of starting on the ceiling!!!!
  • PRO
    8 years ago
    Go ahead and paint. I also noticed the floor is different and would look good the same if you decide to keep the ceiling as is. Are you painting the cabinets also?
  • 8 years ago
    It's hard to tell from the photos but it appears the ceiling is pine, the floor looks like cherry and the cabinets are oak. That's a lot of competing wood!
  • 8 years ago

    If the ceiling is pine, be aware that painting it requires some prep work as pine will bleed through the paint.