I wouldn't touch the stairs. They are beautiful. So are the floors.

You only showed one door, but I assume there are more (ha!) in this home. The one you show seems to be of decent quality.

Painting oak is not easy if you don't want to see that it is painted oak (as in you don't want to see the wood grain).

To my eye, you have nice wood, and not too much of it.

Is it possible that you are suffering from having watched too much HGTV and learned there about how "awful" it is to have oak?

And I say this as someone who doesn't like oak!

You’ll hear a lot from both sides of your question so I’ll start with my preference. Why are we all painting over the beautiful wood trims? If we want all white trims, use MDF & paint. Most new homes don’t have wood trim as it’s too costly. The all white & gray finishes in new homes is a trend many are following and all homes look the same. The wood finishes in the pictures you show us are so pretty and warm. At the very least, I’d advise to live in it for a year before making such a dramatic change as painting all that beautiful wood.

That wood flooring/ doors/ trim are very nice. They give a home a high end look that is hard to replicate. It also works with all furniture, colors, etc.

I agree. There are many kinds and colors of wood this is THE ONE to keep! Beautiful home. The trim is an accent in these spaces because the rest of the home is up to date and well kept.
I’d leave the wood for now.

Adding a runner to the steps will soften to look a drop.

The wood is beautiful. The home looks up-to-date and well-built, with high-quality finishes. It already looks light and airy. I wouldn't touch the wood.

I hate oak trim so I hear where you are coming from. However, this actually seems like really good quality wood so I don't mind it in this instace. You said you wanted to lighten the place up. I would find other ways to lighten the place up and then if after a year you don't like the oak then paint it. A much larger and lighter color rug in the front sitting area would help lighten it up for sure. They seem to have gone for an arts and crafts style in your home. Is that not your thing?

I hate oak, but I probably wouldn't touch it around the windows or the baseboards. I'd swap up the wall paint color for brightness first. My big investment would be the stairs. If I had the funds, I'd pull the oak out of the railings and get a new material like iron in to reduce the oak overload.

visual

What did you use to do this?! I love it!

Thanks everyone for all the feedback, Im officially thinking best to leave it for now but paint the walls an off white.

Sherwin WIlliams site has the tool to virtually paint things

I agree with others to not paint that trim, it really looks custom and beautiful. I was around when everyone was stripping the paint off oak trim! Hang in their because beautiful woodwork never goes out of style.

I too hate oak but I think in your case once you have drapes on the windows and your furnishings in you might find it is not as bad as you think. I agree a runner on the stairs will break that up a bit . It is one of those things where it is hard to go back. As for painting oak yes the grain shows most oak in homes now is not old wonderful tight grained oak . I have painted a lot of oak in clients houses yes you see the grain but honestly not a huge issue usually.

That was expensive trim but doesn’t mean you have to keep it- it’s your house. A middle ground would be to paint all the baseboards and casings white but keep the doors and staircase wood.

The staircase is stunning. And so are the floors.

I agree with painting the walls off white and adding light-colored soft surfaces - rugs, drapes, furniture, pillows etc. Then live with it for a while and see what u think.

I would leave it all. It appears to be quality wood, and in excellent condition. You are lucky, to find a home with all the trim etc in such great condition. Congratulations on your new home. Its nice to see a house, that someone hasnt tried to make cookie cutter like all the others, we see these days. I went into 4 new homes a couple of months ago, at an open house. All different floor plans, but, all houses looked exactly alike so far as trim and kitchens and color schemes. All 4 were different builders. Nothing in any of them, that made me go wow. I would go wow in your house.

I would paint the rooms an off-white warm color that goes great withe gorgeous warm oak. I have never been a fan of oak but lately it is warming jp to me that quality oa is beautiful. it is the engineered NOT sawn cut oak that is not beautiful. If after a year, you do not like it, I would paint the moldings around the windows and the floors a white that looks nice with your new brighter wall color. I love the steps and the wood is gorgeous and warm so I would leave it alone. You could add a beautiful runner. You could also paint the spindles white in a year to match your trim work if you change that. I love this house and now that I have Brazilian Cherry floors, I wish I just went with a warm oak like your new home has.

I like your wood; looks like nice quality. I would not paint it. It blends beautifully with your floors. You have a lovely home!

I hope this video helps you

The video had dark wood trim much darker than the floors and looks much better lighter and brighter. The original posters wood trim matches her light oak floors and looks nice but it is her house so if she wants to paint it to make her happy that is up to her. Or she can see if a wall color will help. My bedroom's headboard does not make me feel good so I am going to make my change also. With all the opinions, it is best to then decide who YOU feel and what you want to do. Thank you so much Celery, Visualization, Rendering Images for your video. I love creamy and bright walls and that is why I feel a headboard for me without the dirty looking too busy headboard would make me happy. I am still wondering how much canned lighting in my ceiling would help me feel happier.

I should clarify-I typically hate oak as heavy and dated, but your space is large, light filled, and lovely. I'd see it as a positive.

I think the oak works in this house. The current owners' rugs are not large enough and that would help to reduce some of the impact of all the oak.

I agree with palimpsest as I originally mentioned that the oak trim is light and matches the floors and works in the house but it is youir home so your decision what to paint white or leave. I love the gorgeous steps.

Please do not alter the stairs with either paint or iron. They are perfectly lovely as is.!