Pictures would help. I love wood stained beams so without seeing I'd, ofcourse, say to keep them stained.

I'm with justgotabme. Pics please!

Pics please! I love wood beams but I do know what you mean. Sometimes they don't look right. Have you ever seen this house: Nancy Fishelson's Home w/ Wood Beamshref>

Here is a link that might be useful: Nancy Fishelson's home

Great example Chris!

We just recently got treated to a full tour of Allison's house, take a peek. First link in this thread. It has beams (new construction) and she's definitely got a knack for this decorating business. ;)

wow- LOVE these pictures!!! The beams are made of GORGEOUS wood, maybe that's the difference. Well, I took some pics of my beamed room, however the site is not letting me attach the pictures- saying they are too large, and I can't reduce them for some reason. I will keep trying to figure this out.

Thanks, Moonshadow. :)

Kam2007, if you don't already have a free Photobucket account, get one and upload your pictures. They will be easy to post.

I have them in my 1700 farmhouse so I guess they dont go out..

They're not outdated, I think they're a nice architectural feature of older homes. Here is a rather bizarre shot of my 1920s living room w/ dark trim and dark beams.

However, in the pics, your home looks newer to me. Is it? I think I can see why you're wondering if you should paint them, because your other trim, like around the doors, is fairly "dainty" in comparison to the beams. And yes, the popcorn ceiling... so sorry about that! I guess I don't have a definitive answer, but I can see why you're thinking about painting them.

yes, it was built in 1979. Do you think it would be better to paint the trim white?

Are they structural? Or applied?

We are not sure- we thought about getting a contractor to take a look. I have defintely thought about having them removed and having drywall put over the whole ceiling (to get rid of the popcorn) anyway, we have so many other projects going right now! Also, not sure if they can be removed or not.

I will say that I have dark cherry colored beams in my livingroom.

My husband and I discussed painting them white - well actually it was him trying to talk me into it! I would never paint them white. I find it they were white it would take away so much from the beauty of them.. My ceilings too are not high but the beams add so much character to my space I feel painting them would make them practically disappear.

haley comet- what color is the wood trim in the room? Your room looks great BTW

Thanks alot Kam - all the trim in my house is a simple white and I like the contrast.

We have two wood beams in my LR, but only vertical, not horizontal ones (like haley comet's), and we think they're structural beams. Our ceilings are 8 feet 10 inches. We have white painted trim that is fairly substantial. If the trim wasn't painted already, I don't think I could've brought myself to paint it out.

I like the beams, but since the trim in your house does not have a "weighty" feel, like sueb's, maybe you could beef up the door moldings with thicker ones to get a similar look. Or remove them altogether. And warm up the wall color. Keep in mind that good lighting makes such a difference in a space.

Proceed with caution if you're seriously thinking about removing the popcorn ceiling, some of them contain asbestos. Maybe you could apply tin ceiling tiles between the beams? I think that could be jaw-dropping, with an updated FP treatment and a gorgeous chandelier. I'm having so much fun spending your money!:)

so, does anyone have pictures of painted ceiling beams? I am really tempted to paint them- just to brighten up the room, however I don't want it to look ridiculous!

Thanks for the pix. I'd keep the beams and the wood trim stained. It adds a richness you can't get with painted wood. I think was you need is a warm color on the walls like haley comet has.

thanks everyone! I have to say though, I'm really hating my wood beams today. I think because I can see the room as soon as I enter my home, and it's dark, and I just don't like it. (it's also a dreary rainy day- that doesn't help!) I'm going to look to have them removed, or paint them, I need LIGHT!!

Here are some painted in a bedroom (not mine). I think it looks great, but all the rest of the trim is white, too, which you'll have to take into account.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Again, this is in a room where all the trim is white, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Not my biz, but if I were you, I would tape some white craft paper over the beams to see what it will look like before painting. If you paint them, then don't like it, you might have a lot more problems. You can get cheap rolls of paper at craft stores.

I wouldn't leave the popcorn ceiling exposed, since either way you're going to looking up there. Even if you can remove the beams, you'd have to deal with the ceiling somehow.

Notice that even with the white painted beams they have a bead-board ceiling treatment. Here's the pic of the tin ceiling tiles and stained wood beams I was looking at.

Here is a link that might be useful: Installing Tin Ceiling Panels

For what it's worth . . . wood beams are a no no in feng shui. They weigh down and oppress and they can act like poison arrows. It's especially worse in the bedroom or above where you stand/sit most of the time.

thanks for all the comments! Judydell- I have also heard the feng shui opinion on beams- very interesting.
Ugh!! This is one of those rooms that I just can't seem to get right- I have no vision for it, so it's worse. Someone- 2010- I like the craft paper idea- because you are right, if I hate the paint, not so easy to change/fix.
If we were able to remove the beams, I would probably have the whole ceiling redone with a thin layer of dry wall.

Thanks Olychic for the pics- I'm not loving the livingroom picture. Maybee too much sheen on the beams?? The bedroom pic is great- just SO different from my room!

I'd paint them in a heartbeat. We have them in our livingroom and I painted them in a semi-gloss:
{{!gwi}}

bonnieann- ooooooo, I really like that!! I think painting the beams will be our best option. - I will still get some craft paper like suggested- and try to get an idea of the look first. Thanks so much!