Is it better to paint or stain shelves made from wood?
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It depends on the wood. If you need to cover wood then use paint. If it is beautiful wood I wouldn't paint.
There is no one way that is better, it just depends what look you are going for. Stain will leave a more rustic, classic or natural look, while paint will let you incorporate color into your interior.
Totally depends on what you prefer! :) If the woods a pine I would paint but, it you have a cherry or something beautiful with a wood grain I would stain. :)
It depends on the look that you want to achieve —either a painted color finish which could be more colorful or stain finish which tends to be more natural.
The only thing that I might suggest is if you use stain —-to use a water-based stain for ease of cleanup and reduced odors.