I don't know if there's a hard and fast answer to this, but here it goes:
we live in a 1920's Art & Crafts home with gumwood trim. The dining room has wainscotting as well. We are thinking of moving in the next couple of years and are wondering if we paint out the wood trim/wainscotting if it will affect the resale of the house. My husband thinks the house will lose its original charm and therefore resale value may be compromised. I think it will update the house and increase or maintain its value.
Thanks!
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If your house looks like the one anrol posted - IMO don't paint. I second the request for pics.
Wow! That is a tough one! Would really like to see a pic.. Here is a pic of a craftsman not painted but kept pretty light looking.
Well I suppose it depends on who your buyers would be, but if you are strictly considering resale, know once it's painted, it's ruined to a person who wants that original patina. If it has to be stripped of paint, it will never be the same as if it was left alone. If it's painted it will only appeal to those who like it painted. If it's left unpainted, both types of people can still buy the house but once you paint, you may have lost the buyers you wanted. I'm one of those types and painted trim was a deal breaker for me when I bought my first and this house.
Meanwhile, seems a shame to paint original old trim if you are only going to be there a couple of years. All those who went in the decades before you saw the value of it and for a short term resident to come and paint it out doesn't seem prudent.
You can find houses with painted trim anywhere. They aren't unique, but in painting it, you will be taking something away that is more unique so what do you think that does to resale?
I would try to find out if other homes in your area still have same trims, then perhaps when you're selling your home and there are others on the street for sale at the same time, your home won't be different, KWIM.
I agree with painting it out. People don't want to live in dark wood enclosed spaces anymore. But consult a few real estate agents in your area to get their feed back. They know what buyers are looking for.
I agree with you and not your DH on this one, too. I feel that painted trim will update your home and possibly increase it's value as a result.
The thing is - the trim isn't being removed and changed out for a trim that doesn't suite the style of the house... it'll still be Arts&Crafts in style. For me - and for many people - it's the archetectural detail and asthetic appeal of the trim that's important. And of course that's maintained when you paint it out. In fact, in my opinion it's highlighted.
I'll bet you that lots of people who walk into a home with original wood trim love it AND feel quilty at the same time with the contradictory feeling that they'd prefer it painted out. If it was painted... people would likely love the trim details and not even think about how they wished it was the original wood. Does that make sense?
Afraid I have to agree with your DH on this one. If the trim is in good shape, painting it will reduce the value for anyone who is interested in maintaining the integrity of the craftsman design. its like having good antique furniture stripped and refinished, you lose the patina of the piece, if you know what I mean.