'A lot of people often assume warmer, darker-toned woods are best suited to older, properties, thanks to their association with antiques, but they can work incredibly well in more contemporary homes too,' she advises. 'In fact, they make for a real design statement.
While white and neutral trim will always have their place in interior design, 2024 welcomes the resurgence of bold, dark-colored wood trim. Dark wood trim can add depth and drama to a space which creates a stunning contrast with lighter walls.
Dark and moody interiors are rising in popularity, with dark wood tones and paint at the forefront. However, you often see dark wood tones involved in more traditional and rustic interior styles. You can incorporate dark wood moulding by creating traditional wainscotting or other accent walls.
Painting a room's trim darker than the wall color is trending at the moment, and designers are loving this look for a variety of reasons, which we will explore in detail below.
For too long, we think that dark wood has been seen as too imposing, too dark and too 'old-fashioned'. Using reclaimed wood, such as in the English Beam farmhouse style extendable dining table, you can see just how beautiful, elegant, robust and on-trend dark wood can be.
Whether used in furniture, cabinetry, or accent pieces, exotic woodgrains infuse spaces with a sense of opulence and worldly allure. Dark and Dramatic Walnut Tones: Walnut woodgrains in darker, more dramatic tones are emerging as a key trend in 2024.
Dark wood flooring is making a bold and luxurious statement in 2025. The rich, deep tones of dark wood species, such as walnut, mahogany, or dark-stained oak, add sophistication and warmth to living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms.
To make wood trim look more current and fresh, I suggest staying FAR AWAY from any very warm tone on the wall. Nothing is going to make your dark wood trim look more orangey or “dated” than choosing a warm color tone on your walls (yellow, tan, orange, red etc..).
Let's start with trim color. By far the easiest way to make your house feel more cohesive is to stick with one trim color. Joanna often uses Sherwin Williams Alabaster for her trim, and occasionally Sherwin Williams Pure White.
A lighter field color will make it look larger; a darker color will visually shrink it. Lighter colors can also make a house look visually flimsy, while darker colors can give it a strong, solid appearance. But it's the trim color that can make or break the scheme.
Dark Wood Floors
Rich shades like walnut or espresso are timeless. They add depth and contrast, especially in larger rooms. Dark wood floors pair beautifully with lighter furniture for a striking look.
Chocolaty-brown wood furniture isn't the only way we'll be seeing this color in 2024, reveals Ramsey. Rich, brown wood furniture will be taking Southern homes by storm in 2024, as well as warm, brown upholstery.
The enduring elegance of dark woods lies in their timeless appeal and ability to transform any space. As trends come and go, dark woods remain a great choice for those seeking a blend of beauty, functionality, and sustainability in their interiors.
In 2024, we will see more wainscoting, decorative trim molds, baseboards and crown molding with details. Plain ceilings will be very out. Whether it's coffered or wallpapered, or detailed in some other way, statement ceilings will be huge in 2024.”
Tiffany Monreal, one of our expert designers at Revive, sums it up: “Yes, white paint is still trending, but it's all about moving toward warmer and softer shades in 2024.” This shift reflects a broader design trend—creating spaces that feel lived-in and welcoming.
It is a well-known fact that the best and the most multipurpose trim color is white since it can match almost any other paint color. And luckily, SW Natural Choice paint is not an exception. You can pair this warm and creamy beige with certain whites and be sure that they work great together.
I love any green," she admits. "Whether it's moody or a vintage green, there is so much emotional connection that can come from a green." And that's no coincidence. Gaines says that the most timeless colors she always turns to are those found in nature: greens, blues, and whites.
A full-blown obsession across the country, Joanna Gaines' modern farmhouse style still holds its position as one of the popular looks that dwellers and interior designers aspire to.
Dark or even black trim can be a powerful accent statement to lighter, neutral wall colors, providing a difference that adds a sense of depth and sleek power to a room. This starkness is especially desirable in any room where you want more personality to show through, like an office or hobby room.
Lighter blues (think pale blue, sky blue, or baby blue) can strike a similar but softer effect to white when paired with dark wood flooring — offering more of a contrast than darker blue, but also drawing on the undertones that make blue so complementary to deeper woods.
Natural and lighter-toned hardwood
But unlike in recent times, when we saw gray-stained hardwood gain momentum, homeowners are increasingly gravitating towards the natural color of hardwood in 2024. Lighter hardwoods, like white oak, maple, and birch, are particularly in demand.
Perhaps this once popular colour of the 90s never left your house, so rejoice in the comeback of décor dominated by this golden-hued wood. Honey oak, also called golden, red, blonde, or yellow oak, is regaining popularity. Homeowners are rediscovering their love for this cheerful colour.
Warm Oak Tones Replace Grey Floors
The preference for grey, with its understated and neutral character, has gradually waned with time, making way for the resurgence of warm oak tones. This shift reflects a broader desire for a cozier and more inviting atmosphere within living spaces.