I think they look nice as is but if you’re wanting a change, I’d go with white.

I agree with Natesg.

I love them as they are.

Lots of work to change something already good looking.

I'd clear off the top of the bookshelf, more like picture #2. Edit what you put there carefully, no little things or silk plants.

If you do paint, sand well and use an oil base paint or your books will stick.

I like the contrast with all the white walls/curtains. They are a second hit of wood to make your flooring cohesive. Unless the finish is breaking down and that doesn't show on pictures I would leave as is. Your crown molding is gorgeous btw!! I suppose if you wanted to carry the formality of the crown molding through out you could add a few pieces of molding to make the shelves look built in. At that point paint would be called for.

I think the bones of your room are really beautiful and has the potential to be a showstopper.

Unless your bookcases are of high value, I would definitely paint them in a high gloss to give more contrast against the wall. If keeping current furnishings, I think a deep black (pulling from your rug) would look great. Reducing the decor from on top and covering some of the books w/linen would create a really clean, classic, "library" look. New pillow with black/and other texture or color from your rug= great update.

Thanks everyone. You've given me the confidence to leave them unpainted. The finish is in great condition. I've cleared the plant and items off the top. Any suggestions on what would go well on top? It seems a little bare with nothing there.

Well, that makes it easy. I've decided to keep it bare.

it only feels bare because its new to your eye. give it a week. you might decorate seasonally (not holiday, but you could do that too), not every season. i tend to decorate more in the winter (warm colored objects) and swap them for white objects in summer or nothing at all.

we had our whole first floor redone in '11 and our gc/decorator was egging me on to paint our bookcases. i'm really glad i didnt listen to him.

I like them the color that they are. I like the contrast. If you painted them white I think the room might feel off balance. You have a gorgeous room just the way it is now.

Agree with leaving the wood. The only thing I might consider would be beefing up the top molding.

I dont think wood need to be a super-expensive species to have nice color/grain worth preeserving - it adds interest and texture to your room.

For future reference, If its anything reasonably knot free I would do a wood stain long before I would ever think of painting. Youd have to sand anyway to get a paintable surface and with such nice flat surfaces would be a breeze with a sander attached to a shop vac. Wood stains come in a huge range of colors - and if those werent enough you can get custom mixed - EG another wood tone, a color in your carpet, etc.

Lovely, cozy room. The only thing I would do is remove

items on top of the bookshelves for a more updated look.

Yes, paint them a white to match the mouldings.

Coming back to add that I think it's a very nice looking room. :)

I see that you are keeping them, which is fine! They certainly are not objectionable but, should you tire of them in the future...I would beef up the trim and paint them the same color as your moldings. They would look built in and more of an architectural presence than a piece of furniture.

if you like to put something on top, a collection of pots that are similar in color or baskets as well works. check out this article too.decorating on top of cabinets

It would be nice if some of the pillows picked up the red color of the carpet, and perhaps the green pillow on the chair?