Design Dilemma - Wood Trim - To Paint or Not To Paint

Yes, that is the question! There will be strong opinions in this area, I'm sure. Over the years, my opinion has changed and as an interior designer I recognize that it all depends on the look and feel you want your home to exude and how much of the true original character of your home's style you want to keep.

That said, this blog is not to tell you what is right or wrong, but to show you how painting or not painting impacts your style. You can then make a judgement on whether to preserve that style or not.

There are various classical styles that raise natural wood to the highest level - Craftsman, Mid-Century, and Tudor to name a few. The stain can range from very dark to very light. All of these do not favor painting your wood trim.

I've seen a whole lot of builder basic wood trim from 70's through the 90's (and I'm sure beyond!) I don't feel badly about recommending painting your basic thin baseboards for an up to date look unless it is so extensive and cost prohibitive to paint it all. In the project below, there was some elevated wood trim combined with the thinner baseboard trim, but it extended throughout the home. My recommendation was to keep it stained and paint the walls of the main living and entry areas as well as to remove the thin 1980's look on the soffit midway up the wall. Adding stained wood to that soffit gives the room a more cohesive modern craftsman look.

Now let's go to the side where painting makes your space look clean and crisp. There are a few ways to go. Paint the woodwork a contrasting color to the walls for a jolt of energy. A current trend is color drenching a room where the walls and trim (and ceiling) are all painted the same color giving a cozy vibe that can feel like a warm hug or set a moody vibe. 

Hey, let's throw the trim out completely for a Scandinavian vibe!

No baseboards - Scandinavian style

If you are torn between painted wood and preserving wood in your home, there is no reason why you can't have the best of both worlds. Choose an element, such as baseboards, or doors, or window trim. Keep one of those elements stained and paint the rest. Just be consistent throughout your home. 

One more tip - If your home is looking a bit cluttered or busy and you want to calm down the look, eliminate contrasts wherever possible.

Add a comment to this post to tell me what side you're on - paint it or stain it or a combo. And it's okay to change your mind over the years. I recommend following your heart over following trends. Have a wonderful summer!

My summer happy place!