Paint the trim the same color as or a lighter shade than the wall color to make the walls feel like they are receding. Shorten a room. To make a long room appear shorter, install wood panels on the end wall.
If you want to create a calm feeling and make a space look larger, low-contrast or no- contrast trim is a good choice. Painting in the same colour for walls and trim is a great way to get an updated and current look without stepping too far out of the box.
The general rule when painting both trimwork and walls is to paint the trim first. Apply two coats of paint to the trim and let it fully dry before painting the walls. Another trimwork painting rule is to choose a color that's different from the wall color. Be sure to use the same color for all trim.
Whether you're going for a bold contrast or just a hint darker trim, a contrast between the wall color and the trim color can help you create balance in the room, highlight certain architectural features, and possibly make your small room look bigger!
If your wall color is warmer—with undertones of red, yellow, or orange—choose a white trim color with a similar undertone. If your walls are a cooler color—blue, green, or purple—stick with a crisp white hue.
Paint the trim the same color as or a lighter shade than the wall color to make the walls feel like they are receding. Shorten a room. To make a long room appear shorter, install wood panels on the end wall.
One of the most common paint color choices for trim is white because it offers a classic, clean appearance. Whether you are looking to brighten a kitchen or simply clean up the look in a living or dining room, you might consider simply painting the trim white.
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.
Opt for classic contrast by painting the wainscoting white or off-white, and the wall a different color, or vice versa. Get more creative by going for a monochromatic look: Consider a lighter shade of one hue on the wall and a darker shade of that same hue on the wainscoting.
Plain white trim over darker walls looks great and achieves the desired effect. Using moulding to make your room look larger is just one simple way to make the most of your space.
Straight and unadorned baseboards
Minimalistic baseboards with straight, simple lines will be a hallmark of modern interiors this year.
If you ask a professional painter, most will say they paint the trim first. If you're more concerned about painting the bulk of the room, the walls will be more important.
A baseboard height that's approximately 7% of the wall height provides for a solid and definable base without being too big. The overall proportion of baseboard to wall height will be comfortable and pleasing. So in a room with a 9 foot high ceiling, a baseboard that's about 8 inches tall works.
While there is no clear answer if using different colors for your walls and ceilings is best, in the end it will come down to personal preference. Ultimately, it's your home and you should create a space you enjoy living in.
However, a great way to elevate your white walls is by choosing a complementary light neutral or beige for your trim. This simple change substitutes harsh lines for a soft contrast, creating a scheme that is very easy on the eye, for a homely, welcoming feel.
The most common and best sheen for interior trim is a satin or semi-gloss finish. Satin paint finishes have a medium sheen and are durable and easy to clean. Semi-gloss paint finishes have a higher sheen and stand out in a room. They are easy to clean and stand up to dirt, stains, mold, and mildew.
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.
Some traditional design elements that we see in 2024 design trends are some of the same architectural details and design styles you've seen in the past and will see again in the future. These include classic home décor staples like statement chandeliers, wainscoting, and crown molding.
Use the “one-third” rule to help you: If the paneling in your room features vertical, even panels and covers at least one-third of the wall, floor to ceiling, there is a good chance it is wainscoting.
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.
Find a slightly lighter or darker color similar and at least two steps away from the primary color. You don't want the body and trim colors too close in value (lightness or darkness). There are exceptions, such as a white house with white trim or historic homes painted in one color.
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..).
Do you paint walls or trim first? From a professional point of view, with interior painting, it makes the most sense to paint your trim first, then ceilings, and then your walls. It's much easier and faster to tape off trim than to tape off your walls.
Eggshell Enamel has a soft, velvety appearance and is a good choice for moderate traffic areas such as living rooms.
Because trim gives the space a sense of harmony in relationship to the wall color(s), many people choose a complementary color that is a either a lighter or slightly darker shade of white, cream, natural wood, or stain, or black (more on black trim later).