What color should interior window trim be?

Author: Heloise Erdman  |  Last update: Friday, September 26, 2025

Look to the undertone of your wall paint color to determine which shade of white will look best on your trim. 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.

What is the most popular interior trim color?

White trim may be the rule in most homes, but it isn't the only option for trim color! Painting the casings and baseboards to match the wall color creates a cohesive, modern look. For example, if your walls are light gray, consider using the same gray color on the trim instead of white.

Should window trim be same color as walls?

Yes, painting trim the same color as the walls can create a cohesive and modern look in a room. This technique can make the space feel more open and unified, especially in smaller areas. Here are a few considerations: Style: This approach is often used in contemporary and minimalist designs.

Should baseboards be lighter or darker than walls?

Lighter Baseboards Are Often Easier to Coordinate with Other Trim. If your room has any other paneling or trim, such as wainscoting, crown molding, or chair rails, you'll typically want to match your baseboards to this trim. In many cases, this leads people to select a baseboard color that's lighter than their walls.

Do baseboards and window trim need to match?

Painting all window and door trim, crown molding and baseboards the same colour provides consistency, but is not a rule. For example, only black baseboards will anchor a room while having only black crown moulding will frame the ceiling and draw your eye up. Similarly, door casings and doors don't have to match.

What Color Should You Paint Your Trim? | 3 Ways To Select Paint for Your Trim vs Your Walls

What is the rule for window casings?

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.

Should interior trim match windows?

Matching trim and sash can provide balance and order, creating an elegant and timeless appearance. Another advantage of matching these elements is its ability to make your windows and home exterior appear larger.

What color should I paint my window trim?

This can be achieved by painting the trim the same color as the walls or a tinted version of it. It gives the room a fresh, unified look. If the walls are warm-toned, it's usually a good idea to stick with a warm trim. Likewise, pair cool wall tones with cool trim tones.

Does all the trim in a house have to match?

Rule #1: Trim color does not have to be the same in every room… If your floor plan is REALLY open, then yes, using the same trim color makes sense – but in that case, you might be using the same wall color everywhere anyway. Sticking with various off-whites in most of your rooms is a safe bet.

Is dark trim out of style?

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.

Should closet doors be painted 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. She adds: 'You can then throw in some stunning contrasts and accents via your soft furnishings and furniture. '

Should window shades match trim or wall color?

By choosing a color that closely matches the tone of the trim, it will give the appearance that your blinds are simply part of the architecture of the room. If your focal point in the room is something other than the window, such as a piece of furniture or a painting, white blinds will not draw attention from it.

Should you paint window trim or walls first?

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.

What is Joanna Gaines favorite trim color?

Joanna's favorite color for trim is the "True White" hue.

What color trim is in style in 2024?

Blue Nova, Benjamin Moore

Vibrant yet refined, Blue Nova's rich blue is sure to make a statement. It's an excellent choice for accent walls or exterior trim with personality.

Should wainscoting be lighter or darker than walls?

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.

What baseboards are in style in 2024?

Minimalistic baseboards with straight, simple lines will be a hallmark of modern interiors this year. Painted in the same color as the walls or a shade slightly lighter or darker, they create a seamless transition between walls and floors. Modern crown molding will feature clean, geometric profiles.

What is the rule for trim in a house?

Choose trim sizes that are appropriate for your room's dimensions. Wider trims work well in larger rooms with high ceilings, while narrower trims are suitable for smaller spaces. Ensure that your trim choices are proportionate to each other, such as crown molding and baseboards.

What is the most popular trim color?

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.

Should window trim be same color as window?

Should Their Colors Match? Generally, experts suggest using contrasting colors for the sash and the trim to make your home's curb appeal more interesting. This is also especially recommended for tall or large homes as it helps break up the facade and create a more balanced look.

Should window trim be matte or glossy?

In my opinion, satin paint is the best finish for trim in most scenarios. It has perfect velvety finish, it's durable and easy to clean, and it's more forgiving than semi gloss. However! Semi-gloss would also be a great choice for trim!

What color should I paint my window frames?

If you opt for a light coloured window frame on a dark facade it will stand out. Similarly the opposite is true with dark frames against a light exterior. Warm tones are reds, oranges, browns and yellows. Cooler tones are blues, greens, whites and greys.

What color should my window trim be?

Look to the undertone of your wall paint color to determine which shade of white will look best on your trim. 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.

Can you replace windows without replacing interior trim?

When you choose insert window replacement, new windows are installed within the existing window frame. Also known as “frame-in-frame replacement” or a “pocket window,” it's an option when your existing wood or aluminum window frames are structurally sound and you want to preserve existing interior and exterior trim.

Should door trim and window trim be the same?

While there is no unwritten rule that all exterior trim should match, matching can make a lot of design sense and make the design appear well thought-out.

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