Wood furniture: paint it or leave it?

Question

I'd like to start a discussion here on HT for a little 'research'. The question is: 'If you had wood features/items would you paint it to suit your taste or not?' You might begin with something like 'I would paint/not paint because_____________' 
 Let the fun of researching the 'why' behind the 'to paint or not to paint' dilemma begin. :-)

AvonelleRed · Answer

I would paint it if it painting it would better fit my decor, unless it was a very valuable antique. Most antiques are really not as valuable as people think they are, so unless I knew for a fact that it was worth thousands upon thousands of dollars, I say almost anything can be painted if you would prefer the way it would look. I love the look of stained wood, so wouldn't paint it unless it would better work with the rest of the room or if painting it would improve its appearance.

AvonelleRed · Answer

By the way, that table looks gorgeous painted, whereas before it was just nice.

Darla · Answer

Most of the time I would not paint it, because I like the look and idea of the wood grain showing through. I might sand, strip and stain it a different shade, though.

Shari · Answer

If it works better in my home painted, I'll paint anything without one second of hesitation. Anything! Even great, great, grandma 'Mary's' whatever. I don't care how old it is. I 100% agree with AvonelleRed's comment that most antiques aren't as valuable as people think they are. The majority of wood furniture will likely never attain priceless status and for that reason, I'm not going to worry about what it *might* be worth *someday* or who might not like it painted 'x' number of years from now. (If someone doesn't like it later, that's what they make paint stripper and sandpaper for.) If you like/prefer wood, fine--don't paint your wood. But I cannot wrap my head around people who live with wood they hate but they won't even consider painting it because it's wood. Wood is not sacred. I am a strong believer that life is too short to have anything in our homes (our havens) that we hate, especially when it is something that could be changed easily and affordably with paint.

Darla · Answer

Connie - If the paneling is old wainscoting or carved panels of nicely grained real wood, I'd leave it alone. That nasty pressed board paneling from the '70's - paint it! 
If the wood floor is in good condition and looks nice, leave it alone. If it's in bad shape or a strange color, paint it if you want. Of course, it's your house so do whatever you want! Personally, I like oak, but not everywhere.

P.j. C · Answer

My daughter & I both believe that those who feel the need to express themselves so bluntly &/or chastise someone for painting her own possessions probably own similar furniture that they are apparently happy with stained. But why these people hang out on a website that features people restyling furniture is a mystery, unless they just like to irritate people--especially from a distance. My daughter has a theory that many grew up with only hand-me-down furniture (post Depression era to post WWII era), which was often painted. They now have the impression that ANY woodgrain furniture is valuable, even though most of what we see on HT is mass produced & far from being priceless antiques.

Carole · Answer

I would paint if the piece is something I picked up cheap and had no real antique value to it. Beautiful wood seems to have gone a bit out of fashion. A lot of things that are painted nowadays are painted to suit the owners home décor or for resale and there is nothing wrong with that at all. I have done it myself. I have also French polished a chair at a furniture class and have experienced first hand the enormous amount of work involved in that process. It does beautify the wood and make it look as good as new again, but if that is not the effect you want then it would be a waste of time to go through that process. I believe it is all a matter of taste and there is no right or wrong way to go. There are some beautiful examples of painted pieces on this site. Painting can bring something deemed old fashioned up to date and allow it to fit in with a persons home and décor. It can therefore prolong the life of a piece that might otherwise be discarded so that is a good thing in my view. It can also produce a one of a kind piece and allow the person to express their creativity.

Luann · Answer

Is there any one who can tell me the process in making a table look like this?  What is the base paint? water base?  then what is the accent?  and is it dry brush or wipe off or ??? I love it .. want to recreate it

Darla · Answer

PJ- I don't know who you're referring to; no one on this thread was chastising anyone, just answering a question about opinions. If there is only one acceptable answer to the question, why ask it?

Jeanette S · Answer

My rule...it belongs to you...do with it what you wish. There are old classic pieces a hundred years or so old and mid century modern that I don't like to see painted unless they are heavily damaged. But that is just my choice...I pair old with overstuffed comfy chairs and sofas...even have an antique goose neck rocker I overstuffed which is a favorite! Old oak pieces depress me! And I don't usually care for their shape so I would not bother with them at all! It is just a matter of taste.

Redo Your Room Online - Julie Jamison · Answer

I would for sure paint! Why not update what you have to suit your taste?!

CK · Answer

Jeanette has said it all very well. 'If it belongs to you, do what you wish.' Or as our son used to say when he was about 4 years old 'Mine. Not yours!' ;-) We don't need to have anyone upset over comments here. This discussion was posted by me to entertain all kinds of opinions. There are lots of right answers to the question 'to paint or not to paint'...and it really does depend on so many factors. There are some pieces I've had for years where I've left them their original wood tone. Other pieces were bought with the intent to paint. And like the tables I pictured above, I loved them when I purchased them nearly 28 years ago but a couple years ago decided I wanted a new look. As my dad said 'They don't owe you anything'...meaning they have served me well and if I want to make a change in their look, that's OK :-)

HT has some wonderful ideas on many topics and when I see them I like to compliment the person who shared their time and talent. Sometimes I see things that I don't particularly like and then I don't comment...or if I see one thing in the photo I DO like, I'll compliment on that and not criticize the others. I'm glad we have differing opinions on this 'paint or not paint' topic because anyone who reads these posts will get lots of ideas for their own projects. So we're all helping someone, right? :-D

I think I'll show some pics in another post about a piece everyone will be surprised about :-) Stay tuned................ and remember 'When it's right, it's right.' :-)

GR · Answer

I have a business refinishing furniture and I have been involved in the antiques trade for over 15 years. Two things that people on this site seem to disregard when 'valuing' wood furniture is that no matter how old it is or how reasonable its condition, if it is neither desirable nor rare, you will never sell it for big money no matter what the 'experts' tell you. An unappealing, unfashionable piece of furniture won't sell at any price and something that you can find in any thrift store will always be cheap. If you are a wood lover none of this should matter anyway, it's a personal preference, but nor should you reprimand people who paint furniture on the grounds that they have devalued or destroyed it. Actually they have usually taken something inexpensive and unpopular (sometimes even rescuing it from the garbage) and created something that they love or can sell for considerably more money than they paid for it.
I have restored furniture and I have painted it and economically speaking there is no competition. Restoration is lengthy and expensive, often needing specialist materials or skilled professional work and rarely gives a good return. This is fine if it is a treasured family heirloom that you want to keep, but for a business it's disastrous.
I have seen pieces on here that have been stripped and then had gel stains and poly applied to them, sadly they 'ruined it' as far as any antique collector is concerned as they have destroyed the original patina, they might as well have painted it orange with purple polka dots! I have also seen pieces where the veneer has been removed and the wood underneath has been 'restored', the problem is that the carcass will be made with the cheapest wood available and the veneer will be the expensive wood, so again it's been devalued.
My point is that you should do whatever makes you happy or will sell, depending on your circumstances. If you love wood and want to spend hours refinishing it that's fine but please don't think that you are preserving it any more than the person who paints it sympathetically and sells it to someone who otherwise would never have considered purchasing it. As many people on this site have pointed out, if fashions change paint can always be removed!

Chris aka monkey · Answer

@CK i never have a problem with a persons opinion if it done in a polite manner i would be upset with a person say that ugly wood piece needed painting not restoring just as much as i would with a person saying you have ruined that piece by painting it.. i just do not for the life of me understand why anyone would read a post when they don't like it cripes you can get lost on HT for hours and hours enjoying things you love thanks xx

Kimberly Schoffler Boynes · Answer

love it

Lee Cunningham Green · Answer

My perspective on painting and not painting is this. it's your piece in your house if you don't like the way it is there are only a few choices you can a. get rid of it. b. put it in the garage and pretend you don't own it. c. Give it to someone or d. change it into something more suited to you, I always pick D. myself :)

Porta Verde Studio · Answer

I had been painting and refinishing furniture professionally for decades. Currently, I'm favoring stained wood over paint though I've painted many a piece in my day. All that being said, a beautiful paint job can give a tired old piece new life and not all wood is attractive. In the end, its up to the owner. But the burled veneers and exotic and expensive woods I see being painted makes me want to weep, especially when the patina can't be recaptured. Also, I've noticed the painted furniture trend is slowing down with the market being flooded; so, though I think there will always be a place for painted furniture in decor, I don't think it will be as pervasive as it is today.

Theresa Shearer · Answer

I have a pine kitchen table and chair set. It is about 35 years old. Originally, it was stained and varnish and very nice when we first bought. However, over the years (with a lot of use) the varnish started to wear off and became very sticky especially in the warm weather. I am now in the process of sanding it and have decided to paint it. Almost finished with the sanding and now the job of picking a paint colour. Making the old new again!

Melissa V · Answer

Well, I have to say that I am in both clubs 😁!

I have a lot of beautiful antique wood furniture pieces, some with marble.

And I have painted my grandparents dresser, mirror, ladies dressing table and side table all white- while I was pregnant with twins! And it's lasted 32 years and many moves. But I better not see a loaded paintbrush coming at any of my wood antiques 😠!

p.s.- I liked your table better 'before'...

Christi Martin · Answer

It depends on the wood in my opinion. I have a beautiful antique heartwood table, burrowed walnut hall tree and a gorgeous mahogany stepback bookcase that I would never want painted. I would not hesitate to paint some other furniture though, I think it gives it a nice updated look.

Michele Service · Answer

The table shown in your photos is lovely in both the painted and stained version, however, my personal preference is to NOT paint the wood--especially window frames and trim in a house...because they will eventually need to be re-painted and I don't like doing it! :-D

The current 'fad' seems to be to chalk-paint furniture to refurbish them or give them a shabby-chic look. This fad will fade, and people will end up stripping and re-staining their pieces at some point.

Helena · Answer

I often can't decide to do something like this. Many of my old things were simply given away. I also planned to do a small update to my cabinet, but I'm afraid that the new coating might just ruin it. I currently like one brand of furniture - https://faina.design/ and I wanted to make a few updates so that my furniture would look like this

Adrienne Carrie Hubbard | Crafty Little Gnome · Answer

Hi CK! For me, I would not paint it. I like it as it is.

Wood furniture: paint it or leave it?

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Wood furniture: paint it or leave it?

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