Trim colors can create a variety of looks in a room.
Before you paint an interior room, consider how its trim color might affect the look you want. Think of the walls as a canvas, while the baseboards, door frames and window sashes act as a frame. With a little planning, you can use the trim to emphasize the colors or create a playful or sophisticated mood. You can also paint any architectural features like chair rails or wainscoting to play them up or minimize their impact.
Classic White
White trim will always be in style because it is an almost-surefire solution for the most popular room colors--white, neutrals and light shades. White trim looks crisp and clean against these options because it defines and slightly contrasts with pale shades. On brightly colored or dark walls, white trim creates a striking frame that makes walls "pop." Avoid a stark white look by using a shade that is barely tinted. Creamy whites pair well with earthy or intense colors and warm neutrals, while cool whites look good against blue or gray walls. You can unite different rooms by using white baseboards throughout the house.
Monochromatic Tones
Monochromatic tones work well for color-saturated or dark walls. Deep blue or chocolate brown walls, for instance, look sophisticated with baseboards painted a color that is one shade lighter on the paint chip. The tone-on-tone color creates a contemporary look and is far easier on the eye than white. This look blends the trim colors with the wall, providing enough contrast to be noticeable without looking jarring. It also visually lengthens the wall. Or consider three tones on the wall. Keep the baseboards lighter, and paint the door frames and window sashes one shade darker than the walls. This look adds depth and complexity to a room.
Contrasting Colors
For a really dramatic look, contrast the tones of the wall and the trim. One option is to use a trim color that matches an accent color in your furniture or carpet. For a playful look, use colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel, such as lavender and sage green. This is a bold look that can be hard to pull off, but it can work if you select colors of equal intensity. Another option is to use a dark trim to frame doors and windows, much like a mat offsets a picture in a frame. Colonial interiors often pair cream walls painted with gray-blue, forest green or barn red trim.
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