Should trim paint or doors match the wall color? See what I do in our home!
There's no wrong answer to this question! This is purely up to your preferences and how you want your room to feel and look in the end.
I've always loved the look of crisp, white trim against a dark wall color:
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But over the years I've also become more attracted to painting trim (and even doors!) the same as the walls. (This is called color drenching.)
I knew I was in love when I painted our mantel and fireplace surround to match the rest of the fireplace wall:
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It was a bright white before, and looked great! But painting it was a great decision for this room.
That dark blue color is called Cyberspace. We LOVED that simple transformation -- I really liked how the lack of drastic contrast calmed the space.
I've been eyeing other spaces around our home that would look great with the trim painted as well!
Do you ever walk through a space over and over and there's just something that feels slightly off...but you can't put your finger on it?
Our basem*nt was that space for me. I continue to LOVE our dark gray walls down there (Westchester Gray), but the white doors and trim were bugging me:
As much as I love the contrast at times, sometimes it also messes with the flow of the room. And those bright white doors were doing that:
Our white double doors especially stood out and bothered me:
So I started the process of painting the three doors and allll of the door trim.
It took a good week to get it all done. I didn't take pics of the process...because that's literally watching paint dry. 😂
Here are some basic tips for painting trim like baseboards and door trim:
- There's no need to sand or prime trim painted in latex paint (even if it's painted in glossy paint). But...
- Make sure to clean the trim well before painting! This is very important to make sure your new paint sticks. Give it a good scrubbing and then let it dry fully before painting.
- I like to use this square-shaped paint brush for trim -- it gets into the crevices easily and also works great for cutting in.
- I always (always) paint baseboards, crown molding and/or decorative wall trim in semi-gloss or gloss paint. I've tried using a satin and really dislike the look without that contrast in the sheen.
- It took three coats of dark paint to cover our white trim with a dark paint
The only trim I forgot about was our basem*nt window trim:
So I finished that up last week!
The only prep I did was a quick sanding on the bottom sill, only because my planters had scratched it up:
I used painter's tape around the vinyl window before I started painting:
Of course the window itself is still white, but that's not a project I want to take on. I've seen people tape it off and use spray paint, but I just don't see how that will hold up over time if the window is actually used.
(Let me know if you've tried it!.)
And after a few coats, all of the trim in the room was finally done!
The room feels so much more peaceful with the painted trim. It allows your eye to move around the room without any bright contrast:
As I mentioned earlier, there is no right or wrong! I love a contrasting trim as much as I like a matching one.
Bright white trim is always a classic, and painted trim can create a cozier feeling in the room.
In a space like our moody basem*nt, the painted trim just works better. It fits the vibe, as our teen would say.
I used flat paint on all of the walls in the basem*nt, but used a semi-gloss on all of the trim and doors:
The contrasting sheens give the trim some life and definition.
The room will be very flat if everything is all the same paint sheen.
The painted trim makes this space feel even cozier than before! Here are a couple before and after pics:
Painting your trim also creates the illusion that your space is bigger because there's less contrast.
After I finished painting the window trim, I went ahead and installed more of the picture frame molding above and below to match the rest of the walls:
I still need to finish up the crown and picture frame molding on the other side of the room, but I'm getting closer to being done with this entire space.
I've been hard at work on the basem*nt bar and finished that up this week...can't wait to show you!
Would you paint your door or window trim to match your painted walls? There are no rules -- the answer only depends on the feel you want for your space.
I love to paint our interior doors black, and I always get asked if I paint the door trim to match:
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The answer is no, unless the baseboards or other trim in the room are already painted.
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FAQs
Makes Your Space Look Bigger
Should trim and doors be the same color as walls? ›
If you're looking for a modern, seamless, finish then doors should be painted the same color as walls and trim. This color-drenching trend can also help to make a small room feel bigger.
What is the best color to paint doors and trim? ›
What Color to Paint Interior Doors and Trim?
- Neutral paint colors are the most popular for interior doors. ...
- Trim is typically white, off-white, or natural wood.
- Traditionally, baseboards and trim match in paint color. ...
- If you want to create a more unique appearance in your home's interior, know that they are no rules.
MYTH: Everything should match
Similarly, door casings and doors don't have to match. Having a light casing and baseboard contrast a dark door achieves a very modern look. Still, keep in mind that choosing colours that are simple will make it easier to change wall colours in time, if desired.
What is it called when you paint everything the same color? ›
Colour drenching simply means painting everything the same shade: the walls, woodwork, ceiling and even radiators or furniture. It's become more and more popular recently, but this way of decorating is far from a fleeting trend.
Is it a trend to paint trim and walls the same color? ›
“Painting the trim and the walls the same color visually adds height to a space and elevates the design,” designers Mark Williams and Niki Papadopoulos share. Like Williams and Papadopoulos, many designers are proponents of same-color spaces because this seamless method can help rooms look more spacious and elegant.
Should trim be darker or lighter than walls? ›
There are no set rules on whether your trim should be lighter or darker than your walls, it completely depends on your overall design and vision for your chosen space.
What is the most popular interior trim color? ›
Use the same white paint color for the crown molding, ceiling, and trim. This is by far the most popular choice among homeowners, providing an undeniably classic, uniform look. Apply the same paint color to the walls and crown molding.
What paint is used most commonly on doors and trim? ›
Oil-based paints have been a staple for trim painting for several decades. This type of paint offers a smooth finish with virtually zero brush marks, in large part thanks to its thick consistency.
Should interior doors be darker or lighter than walls? ›
Should doors be lighter or darker than walls? If you wish for your doors to blend in with the walls, paint them the same color or a similar hue. But if you want the doors to stand out, consider painting them darker than the walls for a dramatic look.
The 50 Percent Rule
Generally, vertical trim elements such as door and window casings should be smaller and have less heft than baseboards. So I've found that a good rule of thumb for sizing window and door casings (or door trim sizes) is to keep them at about 50 percent of the height of the baseboard.
Is wood trim outdated? ›
And wood trim continues to be the most popular way to accent a room, door, or window. Architectural metal trim is certainly not a new invention of the 21st century, either -- ever since we learned how to melt and shape metals, we've been using them in our architecture.
Should doors match trim or floor? ›
In essence, the choice between matching or contrasting doors and trim should be guided by your personal taste and the overall style of your home. Don't be afraid to experiment and think outside the box!
Should I paint doors and trim the same color as walls? ›
Makes Your Space Look Bigger
When your trim blends with the wall, you're keeping it free from contrast or secondary colors, creating the illusion that your space could continue forever. If you already have a room with high ceilings, painting everything in one color will create an even loftier look.
What is ghosting paint? ›
Ghosting is the slow buildup of air-borne dust, dirt, and soot particles on walls or ceilings. Also known as “ghost stains,” “bridging,” or “thermal tracking,” ghosting creates strange patterns along exterior walls and black spots on ceilings.
Is white trim outdated? ›
The paint trends that will date your space most right now are actually some of the most classic, and that includes painting your trim white as a contrast to the wall color. 'White trim with colorful walls feels very outdated and hard on the eye,' says New York-based interior designer Justin Charette.
Should all rooms in a house be the same color? ›
Whether you should paint your entire home one color is an endless debate, and despite the pros and cons, there is no definitive answer to this color conundrum. Most interior designers will say, as a general rule of design, that you should never paint your entire home one singular color.
Should you paint woodwork the same color as walls? ›
There's an ongoing trend for painting woodwork, especially skirting boards, the same, or a similar, colour to your walls. The effect can be visually dramatic, streamlining and adding a contemporary twist to a traditional room.
What color should trim be if walls are white? ›
Some people choose to paint walls and trim the same color, and others choose a stark color that sharply contrasts with their white walls. Another popular option is to choose a trim color that's still white but an off-white that's darker than your walls.
Should ceiling and baseboards be the same color? ›
Spoiler alert: both using the same color for ceiling and baseboards OR using different hues can be a good strategy, according to the professionals. The reason to pick between these options might be driven by the room itself or by the effect that's sought.
