Wood trim around doors and floors: Do you prefer wood trim to be painted or natural wood?

Question

If you like painted trim, what color do you prefer (white, beige, etc)?

I have hardwood floors throughout the house, except for the kitchen.

Answer 1

Unpainted wood can be very beautiful and unexpected, its earthy and nature. However, this "ages a house" in that most people have the impression that if the trim isn't painted then the maintenance upkeep on the house is lacking. Most people prefer white trim. If you are planning to stay in the house do what you want, but if you are planning to sell this house a few years from now, my suggestion is to you to paint the trim in white, not colors, and use a highly scrubbable paint, so that cleaning and touchups are easy.

Answer 2

Leave the wood unpainted. The previous owners of my house painted the trim in the living room, dining room & kitchen white. It's a natural cherry stain throughout the rest of the house. I wish they would have left the trim as it was original to the house. I've attempted to restore it back to the wood, but it's really so much work to do that, and it will never look the way it did when the house was built.

Answer 3

wood trim doors floors prefer wood trim painted natural wood

Answer 4

I think it depends on the style of the house. wood floors that are 'rustic' sometimes look nice with freshly stained trim. More modern houses look nice with painted trim. I think that the color can change in different rooms (assuming they have a door seperating them) but I think white is best in the common areas. But i have seen black trim before with non white walls and that looks cool too, although if you're looking to sell, that may not appeal to everyone.

Answer 5

In this day and time --No one wants wood trim to be anything other than white. Paint the trim a shiny gloss white for all your doors and trim.

Answer 6

The door frame and door are traditionally painted or stained the same color as they are architectural focal points of the room. The framing accentuates the doorway and keeping the colors consistent helps the eye transition from one room to another. When the frame and door are two separate colors the door will appear smaller. If you like the thought of having colors on the door, but don't want to take off all your old frame moulding then you can paint the door and frame in a creamy white (not bright, ceiling white) and if you have the six panel door you can paint the inner panels in some colors to match your decor. This will draw the eye to the panels themselves but because the moulding & background door color is the same the door will not appear small. Hope this helps but don't worry - the great thing about paint is that it's just paint!

Answer 7

This is exactly my dilemma we have wooden doors and trim and have wooden floors,I would like to change doors and trim to a white ,but I know its a big job,I just think it brightens up a place..Then I change my mind because I feel that wood is never out dated and adds character

Answer 8

It depends on your decor and your lifestyle.

If you have small kids you may want an easily washed (or touched up!) painted trim.

White certainly gives a crisp clean look to any color you have on the walls; once you start getting into beiges/tans/etc., you have to be more conscientious about the colors (walls, carpets, doors, etc.) around it.

The bottom line, of course, is what YOU like.

Answer 9

If you have good wood trim it should never be painted. You may want to stain it, and rub the stain in to bring out the grain of wood, BUT don't paint it unless it is the cheap stuff! Save yourself the trouble and buy the cheap stuff already painted and ready to install.

Answer 10

i have a preference for painted trim but sometimes wood tones are nice too