How do I choose a trim color?

If you’ve ever wondered what color to paint the molding and trim, you may automatically say trim is always white. But do moldings have to be white? No rule says that it has to be that way. But remember that white trim can act as a thread to tie together different colored rooms, because it keeps the eye moving through the space.

However, for the low ceilings in contemporary rooms, painting the trim the same color as the walls (or a shade or tint that’s close) is usually better. This trick keeps the walls from being visually chopped up and makes the ceiling look higher. If you want your eye to travel to the trim or if your house needs a unifying thread, consider using white molding. Otherwise, match the color of your walls.

If you do decide on white trim and moldings, you might be surprised at how many shades of white are available. Choosing one can be maddening. If your rooms are painted different colors (for example: red dining room, yellow kitchen, sage green family room), choose a shade that will complement each color. If that’s difficult to do, then choose one based on the room where you spend the most time.

 

Here are some easy ways to do it:

1. Blend or contrast as you see fit. One of the first things you should decide on is whether you want your trim color to blend with your interiors’ current scheme, or switch things up by picking contrasting hues. This makes deciding which colors to go for even easier.
2. Pick a trim that’s the same shade as the walls. It offers a modern look and a soothing feel. Since it’s the same hue as the room, the artwork on the walls and more colorful items pop out more.
3. Play it safe with white colors. White trim is a tried-and-true way to set off the look of your interiors. In fact, white makes everything look good when you use it effectively. For instance, it makes your double hung window in Waukesha look cleaner and neater if the room it’s in features softer colors. Walls with bolder colors will benefit from white trim, as well. It accentuates the striking hues in the room while providing visual relief. Just be sure to choose the right shade of white for this. There are choices available that offer a warmer or cooler look to your interiors. Warm, creamy-white trim works better with striking wall colors. Cooler white trim, on the other hand, is perfect for walls with muted or saturated colors.

4. Go for black. A trim darker than the adjacent walls can easily serve as the focal point of your home. Black, in particular, is an elegant and brooding color. It works exceptionally well when your walls have paler hues, since it emphasizes the interesting contrast between dark and light. Renewal by Andersen of Milwaukee, for instance, offers black-trimmed replacement windows in Waukesha that you can pair off-white or cream walls. This adds warmth to your home’s interiors. Of course, you’ll need to consider the size of the room for this. Black trim suits larger spaces better.

 

Best Colors for Bathrooms

Because bathrooms are high moisture areas, the best bathroom paint colors tend to be lighter ones. Light colors tend to work better at hiding any accumulated moisture on the wall. Another clever way to hide moisture is by choosing a paint with a glossier finish. While satin and eggshell are the most common finishes in other areas of the house, you may want to use a semi-gloss in the bathroom. No matter what type of color you choose, you may want to invest in mildew-resistant paint. The extra money may be worth it to help avoid those steamy streaks running down your bathroom walls.

Best Colors for Dark Rooms

If you need to bring the sun into a dark room, what better choice than yellow? You can infuse a room with warmth and light even on a dreary day with this friendly color. For the color-shy, a light yellow, or white with yellow undertones would work wonders in an otherwise dingy room. For the color-confident, consider going sunny-side up with more vivid variations of this lively hue. Even the more subdued versions of this color lend a cheery outlook to any room. Yellow can’t help but look bright side of life.

 

Best Colors for Trim and Woodwork

While white is the obvious choice for trim color, choosing the perfect white trim color can be daunting. There are hundreds of shades of white paint, believe it or not. Again, you need to look at the undertones. White paint colors can have as many undertones as there are colors so look carefully. Compare the swatches to your existing colors. Bright white trim colors can anchor a high contrast, vibrant feel. Creamy or off-white paint lends a more antique, warm feel.

While white is most common, it certainly isn’t your only option for trim. To add a modern feel to the sometimes-overwhelming feel of wood wainscoting and trim, you can paint the walls and trim the same color. You create the illusion of a larger space, while maintaining the texture and depth of the woodwork. The effect is particularly punchy when used with a vibrant hue.

Want a classic look with a little bit of edge: go black. Black is the perfect contrast to subtle neutrals. Black doors also pair well with white trim. The classic combination dresses up any decor. Like whites, you’ll have several black options from which to choose. Again, pay attention to the undertone and the intensity of the color. More muted blacks can give you a sharp look without overwhelming a space.

 

Painting Your Trim White

White trim is by far the most popular choice amongst home owners as it can give any room a classic look that matches practically everything. Whether you have bright, soft, or pastel walls, white trim paint will work to create subtle contrast. And if your wall paint is bold or intense, white trim can bring a lighter look to the room. If you simply can’t decide on the perfect color for your trim, white is always a great fallback that won’t let you down. White on trim is timeless.

Painting Trim and Walls the Same Color

When choosing paint trim color for a small space, consider a color that is the same hue as your walls. Not only will this technique make the room appear larger, but it will also give it a modern look and the feeling of a more unified space. Be sure to choose a glossier finish for your trim so when the light hits, the trim can still stand out while up against walls of the same color.

Painting Trim Darker Than Walls

If you want to create a contrasted look or bring focus to your windows or door frames, choosing a trim paint color that is darker than the walls of a room can be an ideal choice. Try a dark hued paint that is several shades darker than your wall paint to create a sense of depth. Or if you have an older home, consider having professional painters paint woodwork in a dark mahogany or black-brown to bring out the intricate details.

Give your house a fresh, updated look with exterior paint.

Materials Needed:

• exterior flat or eggshell paint
• exterior semigloss paint
• pressure washer
• paint sprayer
• paintbrush
• painter’s tape
• drop cloths
• ladder
• paint scraper
• stain-blocking primer
• epoxy filler
• medium-grit sanding block
• spackle knife
• exterior caulk
• caulk gun
• plastic sheeting

Step 1: Pressure-Wash Walls

To ensure best coverage, remove dirt and dust buildup from house using a pressure washer. TIP: Work your way from top to bottom of house in a smooth, controlled manner, overlapping each stroke by 8 inches.

Step 2: Repair Damaged Surfaces

Walk around entire perimeter of house taking note of damaged surfaces such as: wood, masonry, metal, siding or stucco. Apply epoxy filler to cracks or holes using spackle knife. Once dry, lightly sand using medium-grit sanding block.

Step 3: Remove Loose Paint

Once exterior is dry, walk around perimeter of house taking note of any loose or chipped paint. Place drop cloths along ground, then remove chipped and loose paint using paint scraper or medium-grit sanding block.

Step 4: Caulk Trim

Fill any gaps between house and trim around doors and windows using exterior caulk and caulk gun. If house has mixed materials such as siding and brick, add caulk along surface where different materials meet.

Step 5: Prime Stains

Examine exterior for any stains or visible wood knots. Apply one coat of stain-blocking primer to area using paintbrush.

Step 6: Protect Doors, Windows and Lights

Cover doors, windows and lighting fixtures using plastic sheeting and painter’s tape.

Step 7: Paint Exterior

Load flat or eggshell exterior paint color into paint sprayer. Depending on intensity of hue, apply one or two coats of flat or eggshell exterior paint to entire house. Be sure to work your way from top to bottom in a smooth, controlled manner, overlapping each stroke by 8 inches. TIP: When changing exterior color from light to dark or dark to light, start with a coat of primer to ensure proper coverage. Primer is not necessary when a fresh coat of existing color is being applied.

Step 8: Paint Trim and Doors

Remove plastic sheeting from doors, windows and lighting fixtures. Add two coats of exterior semigloss paint color to woodwork and doors using paintbrush. Remove drop cloths.

 

10 Things You Must Know When Painting a House Exterior

From choosing the right paint to prepping your home’s exterior, we’ve got the best tips to make exterior painting a breeze.

1. Consider Mother Nature

Plan ahead when painting. The time of year is key, so understand your local weather patterns. Select a dry time of year when there is little rain and lower humidity. Paint needs time to dry and will not adhere to surfaces that are not dry.

2. Quality Over Price

Better quality paint means you will paint fewer times over the years, and you’ll get better coverage when you do paint. Paint technology has improved dramatically in the past few years, with colors guaranteed to last longer than ever before. You may be tempted to skimp on paint to save money up front with a cheaper brand, but you’re bound to have trouble and eventually pay more in the long run.

3. Sand and Wash

Paint won’t adhere very well to dirty or rough surfaces, so be sure to clean the siding and trim thoroughly, allow to dry, and sand. Be sure to sand (or scrape as needed) any peeling paint to create a solid surface for the paint to adhere.

4. Paint Doesn’t Stick to Rotten Siding

Rotten wood and siding material are nearly worthless to paint, as they will do nothing but to continue to deteriorate. You have a couple of options. Replace the siding or wood trim with new components, or in the case of small areas, use a wood hardener and match with an exterior filler product, such as a wood filler. Be sure to prep and sand either one prior to painting.

5. Use Primer

The rule of thumb has always been to apply a good coat of primer, sand, then apply your color coats. This is still a good rule to follow, but new paint technologies have combined primer and paint into one product, which manufacturers assert will cut down on the number of coats you will have to apply. This newer paint is more expensive, but may be comparable to the purchase of separate primer and paint. Look at reviews of these newer paints, particular from folks that have used it in your area.

6. Combine Cans of Paint

Mixing multiple cans of the same color of paint into a larger container, such as a five-gallon bucket, will help ensure a uniform color is applied to your home’s exterior. This step, called boxing the paint, is a method the pros follow. This step is important if, for example, you initially bought a gallon or two of paint less than you needed and then picked up the extra gallons at a later time.

7. Paint From Top to Bottom

Starting at the top and working your way down while painting helps control streaks, as you will be working with gravity rather than against it. Drips are inevitable, but this method will allow you to feather out mishaps in the direction you are working.

8. Seal It Off

Properly close your paint containers with their lids after you finish for the day to keep the paint from drying out. Use a rubber mallet to lightly hammer the lid shut. You can also add a plastic wrap film over the opening to ensure a tight seal.

9. Add Grit

Painted porches (particularly steps) and other painted floors can become a bit too slick with a coat of paint alone, so add a little bit of fine sand to the paint to add traction. You can use play sand or additives that manufacturers have begun producing to provide this extra texture.

10. Prep The Landscape

It’s easy to forget how messy painting can be, so be sure to cover the ground, bushes and any other vegetation below the area you are painting. Also move or cover up any outdoor furniture, hoses, grills, etc. Use drop cloths and weigh them down on the corners or securely wrap them around the items you are protecting.

 

10 Inspiring Exterior House Paint Color Ideas

From clean whites and pleasing neutrals to cool blues and vibrant reds, exterior paint colors are your home’s calling card to the world. Calibrate the color right and you’ll have a house exterior that welcomes visitors when they roll up to your home. More importantly, the right exterior color will give you joy every time you return home, for years to come.

01.Waterfront Blues

A Twin Cities builder of high-end properties, Hendel Homes chose a spot-on perfect blue for the exterior of this waterfront cottage. The combination of blue and white offers a lively yet traditional look.

02.Desert Oasis

Like an artist coordinating all elements of a painting, a house color consultant draws in many aspects of a home before choosing the final colors. Designer and color consultant Kimberly Laten, from Color Design LLC, expertly gauged the tan intensity of this Arizona home’s stucco exterior based on many factors, including the dazzling blue desert sky and white clouds, lush green lawn, and earthy olive-green succulents.

03.Farmhouse Charm

If your dream is a white farmhouse-style home, follow the lead of Wendy Durnwald of the lifestyle blog, Life on the Shady Grove. For her “pretend farmhouse,” as she puts it, Wendy sought out an elegant white that would steer clear of sterile and dull. After all, for an active property filled with five children and many sheep, things are not boring at all. She chose a soft, warm, and rich white exterior paint color: Sherwin-Williams Roman Column.

04.Beautified Brick

When home blogger Traci and husband Cy were tasked with the job of reviving a home exterior in Nashville, they knew the first order of business was to brighten up the brick. They began with the Sherwin-Williams color Balanced Beige (SW7037) and had a local Lowe’s store shade it down to a darker, friendlier beige color. The turquoise door (Sherwin-Williams Reflecting Pool) in semi-gloss plays well with the beige paint and the dark natural wood shutters.

05.Craftsman Green

When you have a gorgeous, sprawling Craftsman style home set in the woods, you’ll want an exterior paint color that works with, not against, your surroundings. The green color of this sustainable home, from Asheville architects ACM Design PA, works in perfect harmony with the lush surrounding trees as well as with the manufactured stone veneer apron and crisp white trim.

06.Timeless Contrast

Without a doubt, it’s a look that rarely goes wrong. When you have a traditionally styled home with plenty of trim and other details, you best serve that home aesthetically when you increase the contrast between the trim and the field color. For the broad white trim of this new-construction home, Illinois-based JB Architecture wisely shaded down the field color’s gray to emphasize its difference from the white trim.

07.Tudor Bold

Tudor-style home exterior paint jobs are characterized by one thing: dark trim against a lighter field wall color. Heidi Nyline of Warline Painting, in Vancouver, British Columbia, notes that these browns and blacks are a shout-out to the Tudor’s historical past when the trim was made of natural wood that had been oiled and darkened over time. What really wins the game, though, is the zesty red front door that beckons owners and visitors alike to visit this gorgeous property.

08.Cottage Blue

Can you balance blues, whites, and reds on a home exterior without going the full-on patriotic red, white, and blue route? Taylor Cabot, a Portland, Oregon architect, did just that with his 1923 cottage. Saying that he most decidedly “did not want the house to look like an American flag,” he went with a deeper, shadier blue for the main body of the house. The red, too, was not a bright patriotic red but, like the blue, was shaded down into a darker maroon.

09.Embrace Brown

As a professional color consultant who has appeared on HGTV, Ken Roginski knows all about colors. And his advice to homeowners who avoid brown is to not be afraid of darker colors. Brightening the trim dials up the contrast with the brown paint, producing a classic effect that’s very easy on the eyes much like this Florida home.

10.Red Punch

Vibrant red exterior paint graces this townhouse from Motion Space Architecture + Design bordering a wetland. This home’s color ramps up the vitality with a stately brick-red that stands boldly against a backdrop of drizzly Seattle skies

 

Top Exterior House Color Schemes

1. Gray

Trending both inside and out is gray in all shades. Depending on what you choose for your siding, it can be complemented by different accent colors. A light gray home looks great with black and white accents, making it a look that will never go out of style. While dark gray really pops with white accents on your trim and shutters, with a yellow or blue front door. This is a hot color scheme that will be in style for a long time.

2. Beige

If you’re looking to stay neutral, beige is a great exterior home color. This can be paired with white accents along with the trim, shutters and front door for a clean look. It’s a look that will never go out of style and is great if you’re looking to sell your home.

However, if you’d like to add a little color to your home’s exterior, red makes a great accent color for the front door, railings and more.

3. Brown

Dark brown is often associated with a rustic home look. It’s warm and inviting, with the right colors. Against a dark brown, a tan or light brown works well as an accent neutral. For an accent hue, dark green or deep red make great choices here as well. However, stained wood front doors, railings and other exterior elements will really help complete this rustic look.

4. White

Some homeowners tend to shy away from white as an exterior home color because it can get dirty. However, it actually gives off a clean and elegant style for your home. Accent colors can be fun to play with here because white makes for the perfect canvas for anything to stand out. Black and white are always a combination that will go together but, have you considered a black, white and gray home?

On a white home, the color of your front door will really stand out from the rest. So, if you like to play with color, this could be the perfect color for your exterior siding.

5. Green

Light, sage green is the new up-and-coming color for home exteriors. If you’re looking for a non-neutral but not ready to take a bold step into one of the brighter hues, this is the color for you. Paired with gray and white, it’s a great color scheme to introduce to your home.

6. Navy Blue

Another bold color look that’s becoming more popular is navy blue. Paired with a white accent and for a bit of a bolder look, a red front door, it is sure to make your home stand out in a wonderful way on your block.

7. Red

For homeowners who want a bold look, red is the way to go. Of course, it should be complimented by plenty of accent neutrals to even out the look. White and dark gray perfectly compliment a red home to make it warm and welcoming.

 

Priming Your Home’s Exterior Before Painting

On most unpainted exterior surfaces, the standard procedure calls for a primer coat followed by two topcoats of paint. This procedure is also recommended for any painted surface that requires significant scraping and repairs. However, you may be topcoating only because the surface is dull or because you want a new color. If that’s the case and the existing paint is sound, a single coat of “one-coat” acrylic latex paint applied properly offers adequate protection and coverage in lieu of the two topcoats.

You can apply quality latex paint over any oil- or latex-painted surface that’s in good shape. If the paint is sound, you generally need to prime only scraped or repaired areas. You can also use a stain-blocking primer in lieu of regular primer to seal knots in board siding or trim and to cover stains that you can’t remove, such as rust.

If you’re applying latex paint over a glossy paint, play it safe and prime the entire house, even if you’ve sanded or treated the existing finish with a deglosser. Hardboard siding may also require a primer. As a general rule, use an alkyd primer and a latex topcoat when repainting.

Be sure that your primer is appropriate for the surface you’re painting. Cedar and redwood, for example, usually require an oil-based primer to seal the surface so that tannin stains don’t bleed through the topcoat. Also make sure that the primer and topcoat are compatible. How do you know? By telling your supplier what you’re painting, reading the label, and (though not always necessary) using the same brand of primer and topcoat. To make it easier for a colored topcoat to cover primer, have your paint dealer tint the primer to the approximate color of the finish coat.

If you already have three or more coats of oil-based paint on the house, use oil-based house paint.