How To Pick The Best Interior Trim Color

When updating the wall color of your home, most people opt to paint the trim at the same time. When your walls get a new life, it can make the flaws in your trim even more prevalent. Before you jump to classic white trim, let me open you up to three different options that will bring excitement and design into your space. We will break down the differences between low, medium, and high contrast trim. Just three options! How easy is that?

Low Contrast: Trim Paint Colors

Low-contrast means any paint colors that are the same color, or at least appear similar, to your wall color. Whether it's a pure white or an off-white, this subtle trim contrast offers a clean and cohesive look. You can expect your home to feel more connected from room to room and have a sense of serenity.

If you're looking for that cohesion but still want a big impact, paint your trim, baseboards, crown moulding, window and door casings as the same color as the walls. We call this color drenching. It's important to have some level of gloss paint on your trim if you go with a monochromatic look so there is some depth to the space.

White trim paint color with a creamy wall color in the living room

^{Sara Lynn Brennan}

Monochromatic dark trim matching the dark walls of the office

^{Sara Lynn Brennan}

Lighter paint trim with darker walls

^{Sara Lynn Brennan}

Medium Contrast: Trim Paint Colors

If you're looking for something unique but not too out of the box, explore trim colors that are a few shades lighter or darker than your wall paint color. Medium contrast forgoes the traditional white trim color to add more visual appeal to a space. This is one of my personal favorite trim color combinations.

Interior trim is a deeper color than the dining room walls

^{Amy Bartlam for Kate Lester Design}

Crown molding and door trim are darker shades than the walls

^{Bob Greenspan for My Design KC}

Creamy white trim and darker gray walls

^{Brooke Cole Interiors}

High Contrast: Trim Paint Colors

To create a striking effect, opt for a trim color that contrasts with your wall color. For example, white trim on dark-colored walls can make the trim pop and vice versa. This style of contrast trim is new to the design world but has definitely found its way into many homes.

Dark trim against a light colored ceiling

Avoiding a white color, high contrast between two different colors

^{Marie Matthews Interiors}

Trim appears stark white compared to the dark walls

^{Pella® Reserve}

So what trim level should you go with?

When considering the trim color that will be best for your home, you need to decide what mood you're trying to create and the current structure of your home. If you're looking to create a crisp and clean environment, opt for low-contrast trim. This will also make your space look larger. If you want a bit more fun, join the trend and paint your trim a few shades darker than your wall color to achieve medium contrast. And lastly, if you're ready to create a high-energy space, go bold and opt for a high-contrast trim. Darker trim tends to make a room feel smaller. If you need help, check out the interior design companies we've linked with the images. Happy painting!