Because
I painted out the wood beam in the lakehouse living room, I've had a few readers ask me if I recommend painting wood beams out as a rule. That's a
good question! For anyone who is on the fence about painting a wood beam - or keeping it natural - I rounded up a little inspiration, and share my two cents, below.
When we moved into
the lakehouse, it
was very woodsy: wood ceiling beam, oak trim, oak cabinets, more oak cabinets, pine panels flanking the fireplace, and, oh hey, okay,
more oak cabinets...
I am not opposed to wood tones and although I've long loved teak and walnut, I find myself appreciating wood grain more and more, thanks to the influence of my woodworker Father-in-law and grain-loving Hubby. I was slow to make peace with
the wood kitchen cabinets in the townhouse, but here in the lakehouse I've even
added wood, like the
walnut bathroom cabinetry,
pine-topped Ikea fauxdenza hack, and
DIY solid maple wood kitchen counters.
So, if I had to pick, I'd pick "team wood," but I think that -
in the eye of the beholder - there can be good wood and bad wood. I appreciate the hardwood floors the former owner installed because the stain is beautiful and works so well with the teak and walnut I love. That, in my books, is "good wood". However, the skinny, cheap oak trim purchased at Home Depot in the late 1990s is "bad wood," in my purely personal assessment. Painting the skinny trim was no question because I didn't want the eye drawn to it. The 1990s
oak cabinetry was similarly easy to paint (no regrets!). Painting the sauna wood
flanking the fireplace helped modernize the whole wall and I like the quiet texture the painted wood panels now add to the room without screaming, "I used to be a cottage".
Why I Painted the Wood Beam in the Living Room:
The wood ceiling beam made me pause, though. I kind of liked it, but
ultimately decided that it clashed with the flooring and all of our teak
furniture. For a few days, I actually did consider leaving it
unpainted (true story!) but, in the end, white paint won out. I have
no
regrets because painting the wood beam makes the 13 foot tall ceiling
feel even taller, but doesn't draw the eye up toward our popcorn
ceilings. When the beam was natural, the ceiling felt a lot lower and the eye definitely traveled up there - even more once the walls and trim were white.
It wasn't a solid beam - it was just wood strips, laminated together - so it truly wasn't anything
super special, although I'm sure it cost a pretty penny when the house was built. As my Mom pointed out, if I ever have a strong desire for a wood beam, I can clad it in walnut veneer (drool), which I think is a genius,
incredibly tempting suggestion!
The Case for Keeping Wood Beams Natural...
If it's solid wood and complements a home's aesthetic, then I'd be tempted to keep a wood beam natural. Ultimately it's a matter of personal preference, but I think that wood beams work especially well if the decor has a mix of wood
tones and lots of textures, so the beams don't stand out and draw
attention away from other design elements.
Even if the decor
doesn't boast a generous mix of wood tones, wood beams can work if the same tone is picked up elsewhere, like in this mid-century influenced home. The wood beam looks great with the wood kitchen cabinetry and looks like a thoughtful detail. That was the problem with my beam: I was slowly and purposely eradicating anything in that orange wood tone.
I can't even imagine this home - which boasts one of my favorite kitchens of all time - without wood beams because it just suits the rustic feel so well!
The Case for Painting Wood Beams...
White painted wood beams - along with white ceilings - do wonders for making a space seem brighter and airier. Once painted, beams no longer draw the eye, which is perfect if you have other, more beautiful, elements to highlight in a room. Paint can also help modernize a rustic-looking space, especially if the wood beams are weathered or worn and that doesn't complement the decor style. If an airy vibe is what you're after, painting out wood does wonders, while still offering more visual interest than a plain ceiling:
Ultimately, you can't loose! After years of DIYers painting every piece of furniture they could get
their hands on, wood is newly appreciated and natural wood is definitely
on-trend again, but I am a firm believer in turning a blind eye to trends and following your gut to create a home you love. Beams look gorgeous either way - painted out or left au naturel - and any homeowner or renter is lucky to have them. There are even tons of DIY tutorials and products for adding faux wood ceiling beams to naked ceilings!
If you're faced with this decision, the best thing to consider is whether the wood complements your design plans and whether it's irreplaceable (like a 200 year old solid piece of lumber). It's far easier to paint later than strip primer and paint from a tall ceiling, so if you're on the fence at all - live with the wood for a bit!
What are your thoughts on painted wood beams?
