Dark wood throughout house, keep or change?

4 years ago

Hi there, I've posted some questions on here regarding our living room, but before we proceed with anything I'd like some opinions on our dark wood/mahogany woodwork. As you can see from the pictures, apart from the bedrooms and bathroom, the dark wood is throughout the house! We're wanting to paint the walls of our living room (keeping the green smoke feature wall) and keeping the India yellow feature wall in the dining room, but painting the rest of the dining room walls. So my questions are; would you keep any of the dark woodwork? Or change it all throughout the house? And what about the mantelpiece? I don't want to change that to white as it will be a huge job and probably won't look great. Any input would be really greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

arc3d

4 years ago

Black or dark grey will look great too,. There are lots primer products that help block the dark stains and varnishes and lots of youtube tutorials on how to paint over dark wood in case you decide to go white.

I would agree with Sonia in that you should divide the project up. Maybe forget about the rest of the house and just focus on the fireplace as your only project. Seeing a complete project is always good motivation to complete another.

Regarding the burgundy tiles. Although I don't normally recommend painting tiles, if they are in a low "traffic" and low moisture area then painting them is an option.

It doesn't look like your fire place is used to light fires? If not, another option is adhesive vinyl tiles, bear with me!

We put down wood effect vinyl tiles in the front entrance a while back as a temporary measure. The previous owners had cream coloured carpet! I couldn't stand it, so I used vinyl tiles as a quick cheap solution, but I've been really impressed with how they look and how durable they've been. Now I don't have any plans to change them. They come in so many options from wood to marble to Victorian tile. And best of all its a very DIY'able project, its cheap so if you don't like it just peel them off. They are rigid enough that the grout lines from your tiles wont show through. I've attaced some examples of the many many options available.

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Comments (16)

Helen
Original Author
4 years ago

Landing · More Info

Off cloakroom · More Info

Hallway · More Info

Hallway · More Info

Hallway · More Info

Dining room · More Info

Living room · More Info

Living room · More Info

Living room · More Info
Helen
Original Author
4 years ago
The living room feature wall is Green Smoke, it's not teal as it looks in the picture 😊 we're wanting to paint the other walls a light grey
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arc3d
4 years ago
Hi Helen,

I thought the living room would be done by now!

Just kidding. My personal preference would be to paint the wood white, especially in the narrow hall with the many doors.
Daisy England
4 years ago
Get rid of the dark wood. We had dark wood when we moved in this house almost 30 years ago. It has now all been changed. It’s so much lighter and cleaner looking.
Sonia
4 years ago
Dark wood was popular in the 80s and 90s and it really dates a home. I’ll be honest and say I never liked that look even then. I know you’ve posted on here a while ago and I can only repeat what I said then. Paint out all the dark wood. You can paint it white but there are lots of soft neutrals you could use like taupe and off whites. Painting a fire surround isn’t that much work - light sand, 2 coats of primer and two top coats. Just make sure you let paint dry thoroughly between coats. It will look great, I promise you!

i would tackle one room at a time, have a rest for a few days or a week before tackling the next room. I would be overwhelmed too if I had to paint so much woodwork in one go! You could always paint the woodwork the same colours as the walls but obviously with eggshell or satinwood rather than emulsion. If budget allows you could always employ a decorator to do it for you when lockdown is over.

Remember it’s only paint my dear and can easily be changed.
Helen thanked Sonia
Helen
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks arc3d, Haha! I wish!😆 the only place I'm really reluctant to paint white is the mantelpiece. Daisy England did you attempt this? I'm thinking perhaps a black or dark grey mantelpiece would be easier to cover the dark wood, and it'd still look good. The hearth is tiled burgundy which we won't be able to change
Helen
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Sonia, we were wanting to go with your advice to change the living room woodwork but thought it best to get a vote on the rest of the house as what we do in the living room has a knock on effect, I'm sure the work will pay off 😊
Helen
Original Author
4 years ago
What an amazing idea arc3d! I'll look these up, thank you 😊
minnie101
4 years ago
I would keep the stairs but paint the rest of the wood. For the living room have you considered inchrya blue on all walls? I've attempted painting the fireplace in it and leaving it in wood in the other (I had to use a similar'ish Crown colour btw, well it looks similar on the fireplace wall anyway!). I would paint the skirting board the same colour to give more height and might be tempted to do the cornice too 🙂 If not paint the ceiling a different colour (maybe a nude?) to highlight the cornice which looks really nice. If in budget, I'd fit a cupboard and shelves in that alcove then move the sofa along so the arms aren't crossing
Helen
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you minnie101 , these ideas are great! We plan to paint the living room walls French Gray or Blue Gray, I've considered the idea of painting the chair rail the same colour as the wall, would you mind putting that together with white skirting boards so that I can visualise it please?
minnie101
4 years ago
I wish I could help but that's way beyond my ability I'm afraid ☹️

I just use crown paint visualiser which doesn't allow options for skirting etc plus if walls are dark to start off with they don't paint them properly!
Helen thanked minnie101
Sonia
4 years ago
Grey walls with white painted woodwork. I rest my case! 😊
Helen thanked Sonia
arc3d
4 years ago
Come on Helen! You can do it!
Helen thanked arc3d
Helen
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks everyone! Paint has been ordered, looking forward to getting started now 😊
Sonia
4 years ago
Yay! Can’t wait to see it when it’s done 👍😊