Here’s a question I receive over and over again! I thought I’d bring in a real estate expert to chime in as well!
Q:
The woodwork in my home is stained. I look in all of the design magazines and see painted woodwork. I’m inclined to paint all of my trim but I’m afraid that I’ll lower the resale value of my home! Please help!
A:
The Real Estate Expert
Debbie Teague
The Janet Jones Co.
I think painting the 1970s and 1980s style stained wood trim and doors is definitely a more updated look and actually helps homes sell faster. In some cases mahogany, cherry, and maple in an office are still seen as a value. Homes that have a kitchen with Maple cabinets and lighter granite or marble counters are still considered acceptable. I would say that most of my clients do prefer painted with maybe the accent of an island in wood.
I have had the same debate on my house and probably need Tobi to help. I have lighter wood floors and maple cabinets then dark granite. I am considering painting the cabinets because the wood on wood effect with the dark counters presents the kitchen in more of a country light. Before I bought the house I showed it to several clients and the kitchen was the hold back.
The Designer
This is one of those questions that has staunch supporters on both sides of the fence. The question of “to paint or not to paint” your wood trim is rooted in many people’s long standing personal convictions. From looking at my portfolio, you can tell I’m a huge fan of painted millwork! I feel that it provides a very clean look. That doesn’t mean I never do wood trim either.
In a vintage home (ie Arts & Crafts bungalow) the stained woodwork is an integral part of its historic charm. After the woodwork has made it untouched for so many decades, it can be daunting to lift a brush and start to paint. Other homes from a more recent vintage (1970s/1980s) seem to have miles of stained woodwork. So will it affect the value if you paint? Many new construction luxury homes today have painted trim these days. It’s a perfectly accepted finish in today’s marketplace.
One of the designers in my office lived in a house similar in style to yours when he lived in Pennsylvania. The 100 year old home had miles of original stained woodwork. Although, he loved the look, he did feel he needed a break. He ended up painting the trim, windows, doors and beadboard wainscoting in the kitchen and bathrooms. This provided a relief from all the wood and a few areas to break up the look. Perhaps this is an option for some of you. Just a little painted trim can make a huge difference.
For myself I love painted woodwork (except in a library or man’s office) however I have been seeing more and more baseboard painting the same as the wall color.
I still like the contrast, and after all think of all of the historical homes painted woodwork is found.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
LOVE the Question-Answer sessions! I’m with you on this one; like painted woodwork (contrasting!) franki
Good Q&A…I lean toward not painting wood trim. The reason being is first, I really like the wood in our house. Second, I can’t help but wonder if painting wood millwork is just another of those fads. Basically, the decision to paint or not paint is a personal preference for you to make. Though I can’t help but wonder if in 10 or so years, people will want to return to the original woodwork in some of these homes. Basically, the decision to paint or not to paint is a personal preference.
For those who really enjoy restoring wood to its natural state, I see job opportunities in your future removing formerly painted trim.
I can’t imagine painted woodwork ever going away! I saw a post on the elegance of painting doors and woodwork lacquered black. I won’t be proposing that anytime soon, but it looks so dressy/elegant!
Guys especially seem dead set against painting wood (including brick). Again it depends on what color scheme and character or period you are trying to portray.
If the wood is ratty and looking too tired, my tendency however would be to paint it out to match the walls.
Painted millwork is a personal choice for sure. But, in no way is it a fad. My grandparents built their home in 1933 in the deep south. It is now considered a historic district. The millwork was painted white from the start and remains that way today. I’ve never been to a really upscale home (either historic or new) that had stained woodwork…unless, as Tobi mentioned, it was a craftsman.
I agree, most of the time painted woodwork just looks better and more upscale-with the exception of craftsman, and an occasional exception. One of the times I think it’s a tougher call is with some mid-century homes. With many homes of this vintage, the quality of the wood isn’t so great, so for me the decision to paint is easier. But I’ve seen some nice-to-very nice wood-still too often it’s just way too much, and dark. I’ve been selling real estate in Seattle for 27 years-and at the end of the day I tell my sellers that I sell & market Light for a living, they all agree. I always get a list from buyers of the ‘must haves’ in their new home. It’s rare that lots of light isn’t on the list. It’s not a nice feeling (exceptions, of course) to have a gorgeous sunny day and walk into a house that is dark. But besides helping a house to feel more upbeat and light-filled, I find that wood trim and features can give a really chopped up feeling unless the design and placement is exceptional, and really makes sense in the house.
Hello Tobi,
I am in desperate need of you help. My husband and I and our two children live in a small house in Denver.
We have not changed much since we moved in 5 years ago. The paint colors are those of the previous owner. We have inherited many beautiful, antique pieces. I need help making our house “ours” with new paint and a fresh look to add to our antique furniture. I love the black and white you add to your rooms. Please help. I feel like I am living in my grandmother’s house!
Pingback: Will Installing Granite Sell your House Faster? | Maria Killam
Pingback: Will Installing Granite Sell your House Faster? | Maria Killam