How to redo an old log cabin badly worn and dirty bathroom?

Teresa Morton
by Teresa Morton

Our log cabin is all wood ceiling and walls and bathroom is small and dark. I have cleaned and tried to bring wood back to life but to no avail some of wood is old and stained. Can I paint a wall around toilet and lavatory to brighten? Opinions appreciated


  10 answers
  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Jun 04, 2020

    I would use Kilz as a primer over the old stained wood and then paint what you want.

  • Oliva Oliva on Jun 04, 2020

    Good morning, Teresa,

    Have you tried applying Murphy's Oil soap full strength, wiping over a 1' square area, let set 45-60 minutes, then wipe off with a wrung out soft cloth and warm water. This method took many years of stains from old scratched and badly stained oak flooring, although mine required 2 applications.. If it works for you, you can apply to larger areas.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Jun 04, 2020

    Hi Teresa, at some point with wood the only way to get it back is with sanding the stains out of it to get it back to bare wood. Then you could use a white wash wood stain to brighten the space up. YES absolutely paint would also work I would make sure to use a serious (and a couple of coats) of a stain blocking primer or you may see bleed right through it. Good luck!

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jun 04, 2020

    Absolutely. Sand, Prime with kilz, lightly sand again then paint with moisture rated paint for bathrooms or use oil based.

  • Dee Dee on Jun 04, 2020

    Clean the the wood with TSP, then prime with a Stain blocking primer. Zinser or Kilz are good ones. Let dry thoroughly. Then use a good paint such as Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams of Behr Marquee. Thin paints will not work.

  • Painting the bathroom walls will brighten the area and make it look bigger. Here is a video I found on cleaning interior log walls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9NnrLQ4OF0

  • I have seen a lovely home where some of the walls are painted/ stained in a light color and others are left untouched. Beautiful. Here's a link to peek. http://foxdenrd.com/log-cabin-tour/

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 05, 2020

    Hello!We had professional contractors sand and reseal our log cabin walls successfully it was a job that was just too big for us. Additionally and other rooms in our log cabin particularly bedrooms the previous Homelite owner put paneling up and the paneling was painted white or very light colors in the bedrooms it is a room brightening upgrade that we really appreciate. I hope this helps

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 10, 2020

    Hello Teresa,

    Yes you can, what have you to loose? Give it a go, choose your favorite colour or maybe warm yellow. A colour that is strong enough and warm enough for a good result. You could use a wood shade used for colouring garden furniture and fences. Pretty colours too.

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Jun 29, 2020

    Yes, you can paint it!