Wood Ceilings – To Paint or Not To Paint?
It's a never-ending debate; should you paint your natural wood ceilings white or leave them natural? There are numerous reasons to argue for either side. White ceilings make the room feel brighter and calmer. Natural wood ceilings offer an organic element to the space, and once painted, you can't get that organic element back.
We have been a part of a number of projects on both sides of this debate. Below is an example of painting a 2-story wood ceiling at a Muskoka cottage. The owner had gone back and forth about whether to leave the ceiling alone or paint it white, landing on the latter. This stunning Muskoka cottage hadn't been touched by paint in over 20 years and was getting a full paint job, head to toe. The eventual decision to paint the ceiling came down to one simple concept; did the natural wood add to the space or take away from it?
While in many cases, natural wood can add charm and and character, in this case, the orange hued wood made the grand living room feel heavy and dark; especially when the focal point of the cottage is the stunning lakeside views of Lake Rosseau. After even just one coat of primer, the whole space felt larger and lighter. When the focus of the space is either intriguing furniture, art, or in this case, the view, a monochromatic aesthetic on the ceiling and walls ensures nothing is in competition with each other.
One of the primary arguments for leaving wood ceilings natural is the fact that you can't go back. Once you commit to painting the wood ceiling, you'll have to look elsewhere in your home if you want that organic element back. A key difference in the decision between the first project and this next one is the fact that in this new-build home, the wood ceilings were created for the home and made to be one of the key features of the project. The soft hue to them allowed the ceiling to feel light and expansive, rather than heavy and dark. The organic wood element adds depth and texture to the already stunning grand living room and draws your eye up the custom fireplace to the 2+ story high vaulted ceiling.
Another stunning example of a natural wood ceiling adding to the space rather than taking away from it is this remarkable Muskoka cottage. In a juxtaposition to the first Muskoka property showcased, the natural wood ceiling in this newly renovated cottage increases the calming presence of the Scandinavian aesthetic. Again, the light hue of the natural wood blends into the neutral palette of the entirety of the home rather than pulling your focus strictly to the ceiling. The lake front views of Lake Joseph maintain to be the focal point of the cottage with floor to ceiling windows, but the interior of the space maintains it's own beauty with the organic wood ceiling adding immensely to that beauty.
At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer to this age-old debate. The condition and quality of the natural wood and the aesthetic of the home are key factors to think about, but beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.