Unorganized thoughts…

I thought the appeal for cedar was that it detered moths?

My parents had a cedar lined closet, often their clothing smelled like - cedar.

Have you tried sanding a part of the closet walls to refresh the cedar aroma?

Painting cedar may take numerous coats of primer.

Maddielee is right about everything! :)

I think cedar needs to be sanded every so often to make it smell. And if you don't have moths, why bother? I have some cedar-lined closets and feel pretty neutral about it. Not sacred and not offensive enough to bother covering. I think it's a nice enough finish.

But....it's important to DH. So just stick a white panel of something behind it (not drywall--too fat). Like a sheet of laun painted white or wallpapered, or white paneling, or something.

Wouldn't painting pretty much be destroying the cedar closet? Lots of people actually want them. I enjoy the scent of cedar and I thought it does act as an insect repellent.

Is there something that's easily removed you could use to cover the walls?

Darn this board! I was trying to add something and lost my earlier post.

I won’t be long-winded again. :D

If my DH felt that strongly against painting, I wouldn’t, and like you said, would just work around it. Good luck with your project. :)

I cant smell cedar without thinking of 1) hamster cages 2) my beloved great aunt’s closets. Every closet was cedar.

If i had cedar closets I would not paint them simply because i don’t mind them and because painting over knots is a big job and they often bleed through anyway.

If it means that much to your hubs, keep them. If the cedar gives you hives every time you look at it, then let him put up drywall.

I might not paint the cedar, But I would certain,y cover it up. The cedar swallows the light, and white drywall will make it so much easier to see in the closet.

I was wondering about some kind of removable wall covering...?

LOL hamster cages.

IDK, if he is not even using the closet ... I would make it white. Painting may not be the best way.

I would never paint cedar, but then growing up, we had a very large cedar closet that was used for everyone's off-season clothes, sweaters, furs (my mother's and grandmother's), etc. Only cleaned items went in there. It was not an everyday closet. The point is that the cedar will repel the insects, moths included and painting the cedar would ruin that. If the cedar loses its scent, a light sanding will restore it. We are starting some renovations this spring and I am going to figure out where I could have them add a cedar closet for me.

It's a closet, not a place where you actually spend time.

I would leave the cedar. I like knotty wood but painting it would be a PITA. And if it was important to DH, that would factor in.

Especially if it is going to be covered with storage units, I would not paint it, and I would sand it to release more of the sent. Of course I had an irreplaceable Iraqi war rug completely destroyed by moths when it wasrolled up in my previous apartment, so I would do anything to avoid moths.

Thanks everyone-I'm going to leave it. Yesterday our painter came by to give us an estimate for the house interiors. He said he wouldn't advise painting it because the wood is in good shape, so why pay extra.

And as noted, it's important to my husband who generally has no opinion on any decorating/design options. Hitting a nerve like this is unusual for him and as mentioned I suspect it's about more than knotty wood v. white.

Truly appreciate all the feedback!

How do you find what you are looking for in a dark closet?

Rather, you made me smile! Theres good lighting, and I am putting in white or light gray cabinetry so I think it will be ok. Really just a small amount of wall will be visible and that’s the knotty cedar paneling.