This is the big problem with changing timber colours - where to stop. Painting skirtings white is not updating - it is giving yourself more work. Timber is timeless. Skirtings are only painted white because the timber underneath is cheap, you have beautiful timber, appreciate it and enjoy the minimal work it offers. Stain doesn't chip and mark like paint does and once you paint you can never go back.

If you want to give the timber a new lease of life, get some steel wool and rub Scandinavian Teak Oil into it. I do mine about every 5 years, it is very quick and easy to do and will keep your timber looking beautiful. Much easier than constantly painting.

Sorry I can't turn the photo, 12 windows, the trim and the door frames.... No regrets at all, but it took a long time. My parents have stained skirting and I'd love if they painted these with too. However I think I'm biased!

Don't paint the wood, it will make more maintenance.

It's a matter of whether look is more important than practicality, yes wood is lower maintenance, but that's why white feels so luxurious! Because it's higher maintenance, so is indulgent. If you do decide to paint, do it all, other wise I personally think it looks bitsy or like you didn't follow through. But that's only my personal opinion! Lol

I also have timber doors, frames and skirting boards.

I would love to paint everything white. The timber looks beautiful but I'm sure my house will lighten up once it's done. Just can't decide though.

Old post here Anne, but it really comes down to the style of your home too and keeping that style as part of its character, assuming then that your furnishings and such would also be in keeping with the style. Focus on the big picture. A lot can also depend on the colour of the stain too, some look really rich and beautiful while others can be very heavy and depressing.

As I said here originally, paint on timber is a lot of upkeep and work, although there are undercoats and paints now that mean you don't have to rub back each time you paint like you did years ago. If the style of your house is right, I do agree that white finish on timber does make the house look a lot brighter and it sharpens the colour of your walls too.

Another option that would be a lot of work, is to rub back the timber to remove the original colour and then use a liming varnish. Feast Watson do a range of this, it is very easy to use and it dries quickly. You could use the white in that, which will still allow the grain in the timber to show through and you can keep adding coats until you get the level of white you want. I did some beds that were originally a really deep mahogony colour with this, I ended up putting 4 coats on but am thrilled with the result. It does give a beach vibe if that will work in your home.

Another suggestion - some paint companies have a feature on their websites where you can download a photo of your room and "paint" it with their colours. Perhaps you could do this and "paint" all your timber white - that might help you decide.

Good luck - it is a big decision to make when there is no going back.