Ask a Designer, Custom Residential, Interior Design
Painted Trim
When should you paint the trim in your house, and when should you leave it as natural wood? And, if you paint it, what color should it be. Here are some simple guidelines to help you out.
April 20, 2011
I was in a friend's house the other day and he was super excited to show me that he had finally painted over the millwork and trim in his bathroom from a gray/beige blend to a great crisp white. Not only did it look great but it reminded me of some thoughts on trim for the inside of your house.
Here Are My Basic Rules for Trim
If you have a great classic wood that works well with your space, don't paint it. I'm looking at you mahogany, VG fir, maybe some lighter birch or maples. A lot of wood trim was slapped up cheaply during some of our less wonderful architectural periods (cough... '80s... cough) such as oak or really oddly-stained maple. Generally, it tends to look pretty awful. The wood hasn't worn well and already appears WAY out of date. Remember, not all wood is wonderful. If you have wood trim that is less than desirable, then go ahead and paint it (prime it first obviously). See below for what color.
If you have painted trim that is some sort of odd color, then paint it white. Crisp, classic, and bright. I love Devine's paint colors and think that their Devine Icing color is a great color that works well in the Northwest light. The paint is pricey but goes on typically with fewer coats and is super forgiving to paint with. Check them out: Devine Paint. Trim that is any other painted color than white simply doesn't look right to me. Now, I'm open to the fact that one day I may run into a painted trim color that looks great, but I'm guessing it will be a rare exception. In the meantime, just keep painting your trim white.
