I say no on painting, update the lighting and use a large light rug and lots of texture in lighter neutrals, throws ,pillows etc,even updating the light bulb wattage will help

We also have a house with timber ceilings 5m high. We face directly north but it is still a bit dark. We have thought about installing a few of those round skylights for more light. I definitely wouldn't paint them. You don't want to look like every other 'new house' and there is such warmth and character. There is a current article on Houzz about a couple who have finally done their reno and the living room is gorgeous with their timber ceiling, check it out.

I LOVE your floor!
I'm in the paint the ceiling white basket too.
If you hadn't done the floors timber I'd say leave the ceiling... But it's one or the other for me. Especially as you'll have other features in the room (brick & fireplace).

Why not more of a 'whitewash' than white. So the train will still show through, and allow for light to bounce around.

I would definitely paint the ceiling. It's too much wood in one room otherwise and it will dominate the floor, let your floor shine :) Ceiling would still look like a feature in white. I would do the walls in different colour(not white) some lighter shade of grey would look nice I think.

Very hard decision as the ceilings are beautiful too. What about looking into a couple of skylights?

We had a similar situation & painted most of the walls white and managed to combine a new gyprock ceiling in our renovation beside the timber. Adding more doors & windows also helped bring in extra light to bounce around the rooms.

Good luck with your decision ;)

As you and others have said, I think the decision to paint the ceiling was made when flooring and lighting choices were made. If you have lived there a while then it doesn't seem to be a rash decision but one that suits your tastes. I would paint the ceiling and then choose the wall colour once you know how much it lightens up the space (to balance warmth and tones).

Thanks for all your replies.

To address a couple of the comments:

We don't want to use rugs - we have 2 pugs & a cat and I have allergies so getting rid of the carpet was a priority. Also, we love the features in the floor timber and don't want to hide them.

Yes, the decisions about the lighting and flooring were made when the consensus was to paint the ceiling! It was *after* the lights, fans & floors were done that the 'other half' got cold feet about it! *rolls eyes*

I'm biased but I agree that now it's too much wood! I too, think that one or the other has to go and since we just got the floor done, really there's no option, IF we are still going to paint... Has to be the ceiling that gets painted.

I'm thinking that it won't look *too* bad because it will still feature the grooves between the planks.... (Not just a flat gyprock surface). And perhaps the beam/s could be painted black, which will be the colour of some of the other trim around the place. (Currently, the main beam is stained a yukky orangey-brown. Also, it doesn't seem to be cedar wood anyway, probably just a cheap piece of pine!)

I wish the fan wasn't in the middle of the beam too... It looks odd to me... But that's the centre of the room so it would probably look stranger if it wasn't in the centre!

I love all of your comments (even if I don't agree, I appreciate that people take time to express themselves!)

:-)

You mentioned using a half white on the walls my impression from the second pic is that the walls are not working as they are absorbing light rather than enlivening the space ie they drag the floor and ceiling together.
May be worth gleaming up the walls first before you take the irreversible step of painting the ceiling.

Hi Christine, on your thoughts of painting the beam black, don't do it, it will still draw your eye to the ceiling not the beautiful floor and brickwork.

If it is painted white as the ceiling it will all disappear your fan and lights wont grab your attention but blend in the ceiling space. The timber grooves will still catch the natural light and give a subtle depth and texture to the ceiling without being the feature.

I am talking from experience, having painted over many timber ceilings both residential and commercial.

Good Luck, Regards Paul Wales

Absolutely with Derik re beam colour

Oops I am with Paul of Derek and sons

Paint the ceiling! It will really make a feature of your brickwork and your gorgeous floor. Let artworks and furniture dictate the light/dark balance.

Wuff, how did your hubby take it? I love Houzz romances!

I am laughing so much, re how we can read things. Chook, you are too quick, don't paint the beams black !!!!! Just like Paul suggested

I did hear Paul is not as black as he's sometimes painted.

You are too naughty

I always think, pros need to have a laugh in their working day.

Thanks chookchook2 and wuff you did lighten my morning.

Regards Paul

Found a rose for you, Paul

https://myfolia.com/plants/157-rose-rosa/varieties/6476-don-juan

Thanks to all for your input!

Paul has convinced my other half to go ahead with the white ceiling and has shown me the light, so to speak, about painting the beam!

I'll attach a photo when it's finished!

:-)

Your new floors are stunning! But I think the roof is too dark and def takes the focus away from that beautiful floor. I am definitely in the paint the roof camp... perhaps a whitewash rather than paint if you still like the wood grain to come through!

Ove the floor...not a fan of ceiling. I would definitely paint it as it clashes with the timber colour of floor. Light light light.....room needs natural light looks too dark and dingy. Show off the vaulted ceiling you'll never regret it!

Oops meant to say love the floor choice. Btw

Don't change I was urged to do the same when we put it on markets Lots of contradictions from buyers Partner said don't touch House was bought at full price because of wood

Isn't Houzz funny like that sometimes, here I am in an article from early last year without so much as having to scroll. So Christine, how did it turn out?

We had a house with a timber ceiling - it is a tricky decision. If it is a cheap display home build perhaps cover it, but if the quality is good it is a much harder decision. I think it looks good now and could be made very interesting. Also that look is "back". Make sure your lighting is very good and the heaviness will dissappear somewhat. The floor is lovely.

I think it depends on what the other decor in the rooms is - say for instance if you were going for a mid century vibe I would keep the ceiling as is but if you were going for a beachy/coastal look I would paint it white.