We have a fireplace with a dark oak mantel would you paint it? Would it hurt the value of the home?

What is the age of your home? What part of the country are you in? Also, are you rural, urban, suburban? I think all of these things come into consideration. Planning on selling your home anytime soon? If so, then look at the trends in your market. If not, and you think you will better enjoy your home with the change, then go for it...just make sure you take your time and don't cut corners! Do it the right way. Sand off any finish that is over the oak and then apply paint in multiple coats--starting with a very watered-down coat and gradually work to a coat of straight paint. That's what I did to a solid oak bedroom set and I get tons of compliments (thanks to a helpful Lowe's employee who cringed when I said I was painting oak!).

I feel it's against my "remodeling religion" to paint oak. It's a beautiful wood to leave natural or stain; if you want a wood to paint, pick a softer wood with less of a defined grain. I'd suggest sanding down the natural oak and staining it a lighter color. Sure, it's a lot of work, but it's worth it and perhasps might not be too time-consuming becasue it's such a small room.

Sounds like a good cleaning and "maybe" maybe, a refinish with a good polyurethane would be a better option. Good quality oak molding is very hard to find and I think always enhances the value of a room/home. But without seeing it, it is really hard to say, refinish or paint.

good luck

the value of the home is not determined upon the mantelpiece, its appraised on many other factors of greater importance such as kitchen & bathes, area built, schools available and roofs, plus rooms, conveience for shoppong, closeness to firestations, ect.

go for it, the mantal will not deter any purchasor, an you want to enjoy the mantal yourself...you can always change it out, distress it or antique the item.

Just do your thing...good luck

I think it would hurt the value of your house. Having matching items makes more sense than not. And people hate to have to strip paint.

Go to HGTV.com and look at the ideas they have. Mine is painted and I love it.