How can I lighten these beams? The room is small and looks so dark.
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I can't tell what color the ceiling is, but looks maybe white? You can paint them the ceiling color or at least go with a lighter color than what they are if you still want the accent in the room, or match a pale color that goes with the décor in the room.
A white ceiling will always make the room look bigger. You would need to use a good primer to seal the beams prior to painting or the stain will bleed through your paint.
You can paint them any light color you want, but if you want them wood, you can strip the stain. It's a messy job, but worth it. You can also faux paint a lighter wood look.
How to Paint a Faux Wood Grain | how-tos | DIY
It depends on the type of material that the beams are made of... whether they could be sanded or stripped down and stained a lighter tone or maybe gray or white washed...they may have to be lightly sanded, primed and painted... I would use something with a more washable finish than chalk paint... and the color: white, gray, and the ceiling can match or contrast, depending on whether you want the beams to stand out or blend in.
All of our ceilings are painted a nice blue with a touch of gray... called "November Sky"
I don't see why you couldn't use chalk paint on the beams. I would then use regular ceiling paint tinted to similar color to draw the eye away from beams. With that said I find it sad that you would want to take such a unique decrative item and cover it up. Show casing it seems bether to me. For instance, try changing the ceiling paint first,instead of stark white use a warm cream color and see if that doesn't soften the darkness of the beams. Also warm up walls with a huethat is one deeper than the ceiling but in a soft satin finish. A warm butterscotchy color to match a warm creamy ceiling would be nice. I understand that it's a dark room and those two colors are just soooo stark that it's an eyesore instead of a beautiful addition to your decor but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is the beams I think, and remember it's only my opinion and it's your house, that the white ceiling and walls are making the beams appear darker and if that room is north facing with no ceiling lights and such it's a cold room that can totally change with the right paint color leaving beams as they are. I don't know what furniture you have, how tall ceiling is, what your personal taste are so take this opinion and think about it as a whole. But remember that most people like attention to detail and that detail is great. So if you go ahead and paint either do it all in same color or warm up beams in a lighter creamy shade that you then go over with an other shade to highlight the beams but please paint ceiling as well. White is not the correct color for those beams to really shine.
I would paint the entire ceiling and the beams white. It will brighten up the room, and modernize it. You could use chalk paint on the beams if you like, but it would probably be easier to just use regular wall paint on everything.
Since no one else asked....are the beams even 'real'? You don't mention whether you installed them.....if not, they could be just 'boxes' made to look like beams? You might be able to take them down, if that is the case.
You could also just white-wash them, that way you get to see the wood grain but they would be much lighter.
I'm a big fan of chalk paint. I would paint the beams with white or gray chalk paint then use a white wax or antique color wax over the chalk paint. It creates a streaked grain look. Good luck.
Hi, I’d like them that way. Makes me think of old country homes. Perhaps the emphasis should be placed more on using lighting to enhance the beauty of the beams and give your home the look you’re after. Lighting is rather tricky therefore, I suggest you look for ideas maybe on Pinterest. Hue by Philips has some nice light bulbs that are controlled with an app on your phone or special switches that don’t require wiring. Best
What did you decide to do? I have the same problem in my house where the wood is all around the room and the center beams are structural. Any photos? Thank you!
I love the darker color on the beams it makes them stand out and adds contrast. Ceiling would look better if you gave it a smoother finish the texture really dates it.
From your picture the ceiling looks like it is painted gray. Is that correct? Go with a more pure white to help reflect the light more.
What kind and how much lighting do you have on the ceiling?
Hi Sharon, hope this helps you out. You can paint them!
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=612422090637138
I have a cathedral ceiling and i painted my beams a gray white. and the ceiling white.