When you’re planning an interior painting project at your home, wall color is probably your number one consideration. But you can’t forget about the trim. The trim is just as important because it helps to frame your space and assure that your wall color really pops. Choosing the wrong trim color can really change the look and mood of your rooms.

It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about the crown molding, baseboards, or window frames, you don’t want your trim color to take a back seat. If you’re unsure how to pick your trim color, we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips and some trim color choices to get the most out of your next interior painting project.

Trim Paint Colors

interior painting

When it comes to choosing a trim paint color, there are pros and cons to every color. We’re going to take a look at both ends of the spectrum, and some colors in between.

White Trim Paint

Don’t discount white as a plain and boring trim color! It can give your room a bold look, especially if you pair it with a dark or vibrant color. Plus, not all shades of white are the same. You can go for a classic bright white, a softer shade, or a color with cool undertones that can mimic a soft gray. 

If you’re not sure which shade of white to go with, here’s a quick test. Think of your wall color and look for a version of white that has similar undertones. For example, you’ll want a warm white with warm paint colors, and a cool white with cool colors. This can help you find the right shade.

Black Trim Paint

Before you say no way to black trim paint, let’s look at the advantages. Black shades are a great way to add contrast to white walls. It’s also a good idea if you’re looking for a color to pair with darker colors when you don’t want to take too much attention away from your main color. 

Like white, there are many shades of black. You can choose to go with a dark charcoal gray or a high-gloss shiny black hue.

Other Colors

Black and white are not your only choices when it comes to trim color. When you’re planning your interior painting job, you can pretty much choose any color you want and any paint finish you want.

You can test monochromatic looks and go for a trim that’s close to your wall color, or go for colors that are on the opposite end of the color wheel for a more dramatic look.

Paint Color Combinations

Paint color combinations can help you achieve pretty much any look you want. Here are several popular ideas to consider:

Complementary Colors

When you opt for a complementary color combination, you’ll get a balanced look in the room. The trim is usually painted in soft neutrals like white, beige, or lighter natural wood tones. This subtly highlights the textures and details of your room. Many people choose this combination because it is so versatile.

Contrasting Colors

Contrasting colors are a bold and more modern approach. People usually use this combination when they have details they want others to notice. If you have softer, neutral colors on your walls, adding a dark blue or black trim can really turn it up a notch and give the room a more dramatic feeling.

Monochromatic Look

This is an interesting color combination for an interior painting project. The trim is the same or similar color as the walls, so it’s much more subtle. This is most common in all-white rooms but can work with pretty much any color scheme. If you don’t want to use the same color as your walls, you can go a few shades lighter or darker to achieve the same effect.

If your trim is made of high-quality wood or has an intricate design, you may want to leave it alone. The natural color and wood texture can create warmth in the room if that’s the feeling and look you want. If you don’t like the natural color of the wood, be sure to choose a stain color that compliments your walls.

No matter what type of color combination you choose, you want to be consistent to give your home a feeling of cohesiveness.

What Type of Paint is Best for the Trim?

While you can certainly choose any type of paint you’d like for the trim, semi-gloss is often the best option. It’s not only the most durable, but it’s easy to clean. This makes it perfect for high-traffic areas like kitchens and living rooms. 

Semi-gloss paint is also fairly reflective. This will make good use of the light that enters the room, especially if you get a lot of sunlight coming in. 

No matter what color or type of trim paint you choose, you can count on Osborne Painting to use only high-quality paint and painting equipment. This will ensure that your painting job will last.

Let Osborne Painting Handle Your Next Interior Painting Project

When you have an interior painting project, trust Osborne Painting to get the job done. We have a team of licensed and insured painting contractors who are ready to go. With over 30 years of experience painting in the Raleigh area, you can count on us for quality, reliable work. Our portfolio of both exterior and interior painting projects speaks for itself.

If you’re not sure what color trim paint to go with, our team of experts can provide some recommendations. We’ve done many interior painting jobs and have seen pretty much every type of color combination you can imagine! 

For more information on how we can help with your next project, call us at 919-878-6611 or reach out to us online. Experience the Osborne difference!