David Bromstad's Controversial Advice About Painting Over Natural Wood For That HGTV Look

The Craftsman-style house is one of the enduring home designs from the early 1900s that can be hard to modernize, given that it extensively features wood elements on the exterior and interior. Some of its defining characteristics include exposed beams, rafters, and let's not forget the coffered ceiling. The style's overall emphasis on the earthy tones of original wood gives craftsman homes their timeless charm.

This is exactly why HGTV's David Bromstad, who is not afraid to lighten up dark cabinets without using paint, raised eyebrows when he worked on a craftsman-style home project and suggested painting over the original dark woodwork and coffered ceiling with white paint. For many traditionalists, this may be a shocking recommendation as the wood elements are key components in the home's style. But for modern homeowners who find coffered ceilings outdated, it is a welcome change.

Explaining on his show "My Lottery Dream Home" why he recommended painting them white, Bromstad says, "What it does is it brightens and lifts the entire aesthetic of the house by not taking away from the original beauty that it has to offer." Painting the cozy and wood-rich elements may alter the natural, warm aesthetics of the home, but Bromstad's tip makes sense for new homeowners who want to move forward with a more modern and minimal living space without physically modifying or removing the elaborate woodwork.

If you find David Bromstad's white paint suggestion interesting, but you're too afraid to try it in your own Craftsman-style home for fear that it might ruin its charm, there is a way to achieve it without losing your home's character. The secret is striking a balance and not erasing all of the vintage details in your space by painting them white or any bright color, for that matter.

For instance, you can paint only the ceiling beams or the wide trims outlining the walls and leave the rest of the original woodwork untouched. Painting your walls white or any warm neutral tone — one of the smart ways to brighten a dark room — is also a good idea, as this will create the illusion of a bigger space. This will also let the natural wood details in your house serve as a focal point.

Consider doing some small upgrades too, such as swapping dated light fixtures for sleeker and more modern designs that bounce more light throughout the room. Using the right light fixture will help enhance the style and set the mood of your space. For rooms with elaborate cabinetry, like the kitchen, change door and drawer knobs and pulls to something clean and contemporary. Remember: "brightens and lifts" doesn't necessarily have to mean completely covering up what's old and out of style; it can simply mean reimagining the room in a more modern context.