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erin_maxted

Knotty pine trim EVERYWHERE - send help

2 years ago

The new house we just bought is wonderful. Our first major change will be to pull up carpet and linoleum, and replace it with hardwood or laminate in the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom. I'd love to put in warm, rich wood floors with lots of character. However, the problem I'm having, especially in the living room, is the knotty pine trim that makes up the baseboards, window trim, sills, and doors. In a 2300+ sf house, it's a lot. And it's aged (though well for pine) into an orangey/medium brown kind of color in most areas. Some areas, like the downstairs and master bedroom, have some sort of engineered hardood or laminate already that (in my opinion) doesn't match the trim. Since we live in the west, knotty pine is unfortunately common for small builds, especially in the early 2000's. While I don't mind it in some cases, my whole life has been spent looking at aged log cabins with knotty pine wall to wall to ceiling, and I feel like I have a trigger reaction to not like it anymore. For the love of god, how do I work with this? Painting everything would be a monumental task, as would staining, and I just can't make myself love a light colored floor in this huge space.


For reference: Pictures are from the sale of the house. The furniture and decorations are the previous owner's. For the basement, I plan on keeping the existing floor, but change the trim somehow. Don't worry - the wall colors are also changing to some more modern tones.




Comments (16)

  • 2 years ago

    The easiest way to change it is to paint it. ripping it out would be more work and more expense.

  • 2 years ago

    I think the most displeasing thing about the trim is that it fights with the light green paint. It shouldn't but it does, probably because the green is a cold shade. We also bought a house with knotty pine - on all the floors, the living room walls, the cabinetry..... so I can relate. I think your two good choices are to put in wood flooring that is in the same tones as the trim, or to go a different directions with the flooring and paint out all the knotty pine.

    My cabinetry guy warned me that if I have the living room wall painted, it would be a challenge not to have the knots coming through the paint color. For right now I'm embracing it, but my backup plan is to do a finish like shown at this link, after the stark whitewash (which I don't care for): https://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/get-inspired/tips/2017/06/02/paint-it-whitewash

    Erin Maxted thanked Jenny
  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Paint the trim.




  • PRO
    2 years ago

    I agree with the above comment. Painting is going to be the easiest of the options and I'd just take it room by room, probably starting with those big beautiful windows in the living room. For all of your other spaces I'd add curtains that cover the sides of the window trim and that alone will go a long way. Just keep in mind, you're going to see it and be triggered by it so much more than others.






    Erin Maxted thanked Cassie Gaffney Interiors
  • 2 years ago


    Wow you have some incredible views. Congratulations on this beautiful home. Painting the pine trim and putting in a wood floor throughout that you love will dramatically change this space. And if you look at images you can find 100s of white trim houses with beautiful views.


    But...... you could embrace the pine. Maybe paint some of the trim white but keep some of it to add some warmth. Embrace that pine and create a space that is unforgettable like your views. What style do you like? Any inspirational images?


    If you decide you just have to paint... A great article on HouzzKnotty to Nice


    If you like scandinavian, contemporary or modern even Mid Mod you might be able to keep the pine and work with it. Here are some images that might give you some ideas.


    Two sisters · More Info



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    TETON | VALLEY HOUSE · More Info


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  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Paint it! The windows and doors are already white, the wood trim looks cheap and skinny (sorry). Paint all the trim white and put in the warm wood floor you want.

  • 2 years ago

    The kitchen matches the trim.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Replace the carpet with real hardwood flooring, site finished so you get the color you want.

    Then paint the walls and trim the same color, but keep the ridge beam as is.

  • 2 years ago

    @dan1888 I know.... cringe. If its real maple or oak I'm going to stain them a darker color. If it's veneer then I'm going to paint them a similar color to whatever the walls in the living room will be. The kitchen walls will stay a neutral white. I've used Chantilly Lace and White Dove before and loved them both.

  • 2 years ago

    @Diane Bier we don't have the budget for on-sight finished hardwood, or else I would! But hardwood or engineered is definitely going in, just pre-finished.


    I've seen trim the same color as the walls, but have been hesitant to commit to it. But it would let the scenery be the statement and not the windows themselves. Thanks for the tips! 

  • 2 years ago

    @Jenny - I know! The views are what really sold us. I hate the green but can't figure out why. Incidentally, I'm thinking of painting the walls another shade of green: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Magnolia-Home-Magnolia-Home-by-Joanna-Gaines-Cabinetry-and-Furniture-Paint-Satin-1905-Green-Cabinet-and-Furniture-Paint-Enamel-1-Gallon/5014814077


    Though hopefully with darker floors and nicer trim it will make the space look inviting instead of expansive and off-putting. My style tends towards the eclectic/industrial/cottage core side of things. I like scandinavian design but it's a bit too simplistic.

  • 2 years ago

    Your unusual style description makes me think you might appreciate these photos.






  • PRO
    2 years ago

    First off, we think the paint and the knotty pine seem to be competing for attention. Perhaps look at painting the space another color entirely. Maybe try looking at some bright white paint. See these two designs of ours for color ideas:

    Suncadia Mountain Retreat · More Info


    Cascade Mountain Home · More Info


  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Have you considered just painting the walls and leaving the rest as it is? Here is a mountain retreat we did for a client which we think might interest you.

    Mt. Washington Ski House · More Info


    Mt. Washington Ski House · More Info


  • PRO
    2 years ago

    I agree strat the p[inting of the trim in the living space that is all seen together . I do not think the beams need to be painted but when choosing the floor do something that works with the beams to you eye. I very often paint the trim the same as the walls but satin for the trim and I do it because often the trim is not woth highlighting. I ahve a 1956MCM ranch the trim is not worth accenting so all the same as the walls and I love it