Are you wondering what interior paint color combinations look the best? Use this list of the best wall and trim color combinations to help you find a color pairing that will look incredible!
Many people find choosing one main paint color to be a challenging task. What about choosing two paint colors? Double the trouble, right?
Not necessarily! I’ve done a lot of painting and choosing colors over the years, so I understand how difficult picking them can be.
And I am here to help make it easier for you. I have an entire series of paint posts that cover various topics, from in-depth reviews of specific shades of paint to recommendations for the best shades in different color families.
Together, these posts will help you narrow down your choices from the sea of possibilities into a manageable list and ensure you make a final choice that you feel confident about and love. Seriously, why bother going to the trouble of painting your home if you just end up hating it?
In this post, I’m sharing with you my favorite wall and trim color combinations. I’ve published deep-dive reviews on many of these shades, so if any of them catch your eye, just click through the links to learn more.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I struggle to choose ONE paint color. How am I going to be able to choose paint color combinations?” That, my friend, is exactly what we’re tackling in this post, so read on!
Hint: Strap in and open your mind to possibilities because there is a LOT more freedom than simply picking a color for the wall and white paint for the trim!
Wall and Trim Color Combinations FAQs
What is the best trim color?
The majority of homeowners and designers choose white for the trim color because it’s a safe choice that works with all wall colors. However, if you want to try something a little different, you can pick something totally different than white.
This post will guide you toward some of the best interior paint and trim color combos to narrow down the possibilities into a list of manageable options!
Can I paint the trim darker than the walls?
Yes, you definitely can. Although white is the “safe choice” that most people use, daring to go darker can add a bit of eye-catching drama to your home.
Will dark trim make the room look smaller?
While dark paint on the walls can make a room look and feel smaller, painting trim in a dark shade isn’t as likely to have that same impact. Instead, it will add a bit of drama and help draw attention to interesting architectural details while allowing the room to continue to feel airy and spacious.
Want the cliff notes for choosing the perfect color every time? Grab a FREE copy of my guide to help you avoid the paint color picking mistakes most people make!
Tips for Success when Choosing Wall and Trim Paint Color Combinations
If the thought of choosing trim colors other than white is a new concept for you, these tips will help make the process easier.
- The term “contrasting trim” refers to painting your trim a darker shade than your wall paint color. One example would be painting the walls white or off-white and painting the trim beige, gray, or greige.
- Choosing a trim color that’s darker than your walls will draw attention to the door frames and windows.
- If you want to make good use of color, I suggest choosing a contrasting hue for your trim that’s equal in intensity to the shade you have on your walls. Then use accents around the room to tie everything together.
- If you have a pale shade on your walls, consider using a contrasting soft hue on your trim to emphasize your doors, windows, and any other features.
- Paint finish matters. No matter what shade you use for your trim, buy it in a semi-gloss or gloss finish instead of a flat finish. That will make your trim stand out just a little more AND make it a breeze to wipe down and clean.
- Window trim and baseboard trim do NOT need to be the same color. Keeping them the same color is one less decision to make if you want to keep it simple. However, you do have the freedom to use one color around windows and another on the baseboards.
Pro Tip: Please, whatever you do, never choose paint without using paint samples to see exactly how the colors you choose work with each other and your home.
Samplize peel-and-stick paint samples are the best! I highly recommend using this tool to get a clear idea of how colors look in your home before buying them.
The Best Wall and Trim Color Combinations
Here are my top choices and recommendations for color pairings when choosing both trim and wall colors. For each combination, I provide a short description and photo examples so that you don’t need to use your imagination to “see” it.
NOTE: I have more in-depth paint color reviews for many of these shades on this site. If you want more information about them, simply click the provided links!
Off-White Walls and White Trim
This is a classic color combination for a couple of reasons. First, it offers flexibility to play with the colors in your decor. Go monochrome, use neutrals, incorporate pastels, or go bold – whatever calls to you!
Second, white and off-white wall and trim color combinations are great for small or dark spaces when you want to make them feel brighter or more spacious.
1. BM Classic Gray & Behr Ultra Pure White Trim
With the artificial light from the overhead lighting being turned on in this shot, and the green light from lots of outdoor flora and fauna streaming in from the backyard, Benjamin Moore Classic Gray looks a bit cooler here than it can typically appear.
Classic Gray is one of my personal favorite colors (this is my own home…now a rental condo in Alexandria, VA) and I love the shade so much, it’s used throughout the entire house.
Behr Ultra Pure White is always my first choice for trim for 2 reasons:
- It’s really easy to find (it’s at any Home Depot)
- It looks good with everything I’ve ever tried it with
So it’s easy! It’s a trim color that has never steered me wrong!
2. SW Greek Villa Walls & SW Extra White Trim
I’m loving this small laundry room from Within the Grove! Using Sherwin Williams Greek Villa gives the walls a soft creaminess that ties together all the other colors and elements (like that amazing subway tile wall).
Sherwin Williams Extra White on the trim keeps this small room light and airy.
3. BM Chantilly Lace Walls + SW Pure White Trim
Classic black and white decor demands clean white color choices, and Jordan Jean hit it out of the park with this bathroom!
The variation between Chantilly Lace and the Pure White trim is barely perceptible. Together, they both look clean, crisp, and gorgeous!
4. BM Simply White Walls + SW Pure White Trim
This bedroom from Kayla Haven only gets a small amount of natural light.
Simply White walls keep this room feeling light without feeling too bright, and Pure White trim allows the trim to take a backstage to the beautiful view through the window.
Neutral Wall Color and White Trim
A popular trend right now is to use a neutral shade (gray, beige, or greige) on the walls with white trim. This wall and trim color combination is a clean and versatile palette that appeals to interior designers, home buyers, and many home buyers because it’s not bold or daring enough to cause anyone to run out of the house screaming, “my eyes, my eyes!”
And it’s also timeless. If you don’t want to repaint every 3-5 years, these wall and trim color combinations will prevent your home from looking dated.
5. SW Agreeable Gray Walls + Sherwin Williams Alabaster Trim
Emily Rone Home created a gorgeous neutral palette in this dining room with soft greige Agreeable Gray walls and creamy Alabaster trim.
This design exudes chic sophistication while keeping the space from feeling too formal – it’s the perfect combo for modern farmhouse-style homes.
6. SW Accessible Beige Walls + SW Divine White Trim
Once in a while, Accessible Beige can read a little too beige or brown, but the dark accents (interior doors and stairs) tone down the beige and draw out the gray in this stunning entryway from Honey We’re Home.
Notice the contrast between the Divine White trim and the dark interior doors – love!
7. BM Collingwood Walls + Behr Ultra Pure White Trim
Greige walls and white trim, as you can see here from Citrine Living, offer an open palette to play with accents and architectural elements.
Benjamin Moore Collingwood tones down the brightness of the white wainscotting and built-ins, while the Ultra Pure White trim and features keep the walls looking chic instead of muddy.
Bold Wall Color and White Trim
Now here’s where life gets really interesting! Color is the spice of life, so why not add a little pizazz to your interior decor? These wall and trim color combinations may turn off a few people but will open a new world of possibilities to others!
8. Behr Fig Tree Walls + Valspar Ultra White Trim
This living room from Bigger Than the Three of Us is delightful on so many levels. The bold green walls are soothing yet energizing.
And when paired with the browns and tans, they make you feel as though you’re part of the great outdoors. The white trim offers a crisp contrast and keeps the space feeling airy too.
9. Sherwin Williams Hushed Auburn + SW Pure White Trim
Bold and earthy works in this dining room from Chris Loves Julia while offering a playful palette for the rest of the room’s decor!
I am loving the fun vibe Hushed Auburn offers here with the unobtrusive Pure White trim.
10. Benjamin Moore Racoon Fur Walls + Simply White Trim
Elegant, chic, and bold are the words that come to mind when I see this image from Jennifer Rizzo.
The black walls stand out from what you see in most homes, and the Ben Moore SImply White trim offers the needed bright contrast to make this space eye-catching and inviting.
11. Sherwin Williams Cyberspace + White Trim
Life Figured Out certainly figured out this room! The deep navy (almost black) Cyberspace walls are bold but provide a soft, muted ambiance. I love the clean, white trim here for much-needed contrast.
Which white trim for navy painted walls? I’d say Behr Ultra Pure White, and SW Extra White are great options.
White & Neutral Walls and Black Trim
Now we’re flipping the tables on the previous section and painting the trim and accents much darker than the walls. If you’re used to white trim, notice the difference in the impact that black trim has!
12. Benjamin Moore Simply White Walls + BM Wrought Iron Trim
This laundry room from Dear Lillie Studio exudes elegance all the way from its floor to the ceiling.
Dark walls would have been too much in this small room, but Simply White walls with dark Wrought Iron trim create a similar sophistication while keeping the room airy.
13. Sherwin Williams Alabaster Walls and SW Tricorn Black Moulding
Alabaster walls and white trim provide the backdrop for Home on Mount Forest to use Tricorn Black on the window molding to create a bold focal point and highlight the view out of the window.
I love the use of black and white checked curtains and pillows to tie it all together!
14. Benjamin Moore White Dove & BM Jet Black
Sometimes White Dove can look a little creamy, but in this image from Boxy Colonial, it looks clean and neutral.
The deep Jet Black trim, doors, and accent wall give this bathroom endless sophistication.
15. Mindful Gray Walls and SW Tricorn Black Staircase
I can’t take my eyes off this Tricorn Black staircase from Lizzy Designs – interior design mission accomplished!
Mindful Gray offers a pleasing soft touch to soften the boldness of the black.
Light Wall Color and Darker Trim Color Trim
Although the black and white wall and trim color combination is a timeless classic, I love this section because it offers ideas that many people don’t think to do. Check out these colorful (but not too bright) wall and trim paint pairings!
16. Sherwin Williams Ancient Marble + SW Shade-Grown Trim
It’s hard to tell by looking at this picture from Craftivity Designs, but Ancient Marble is a color in the green family rather than off-white.
However, by pairing it with the much deeper green called Shade-Grown, it reads as off-white! Pretty cool little trick of the eye!
If you love shades of green, make sure to check our our articles on the 15 best shades of green paint, as well as our well as our top sage green paint color picks!
17. BM White Dove Walls + BM Winter Gates Trim
This wall and paint color combination from Blesser House just works. Creamy White Dove walls pair with the warm-leaning Winter Gates trim and door to create a reverse of the paint scheme you might expect to see. Notice how the dark teal curtains tone down the taupe undertones in Winter Gates.
18. SW Simply White Walls & Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray Trim
Simply White is one of those whites that looks great with almost any shade, including the steely gray shade from Benjamin Moore called Boothbay Gray.
This picture from Mandy Jackson highlights the blue undertones in Boothbay Gray, and I gotta say – I’m loving it.
19. Sherwin Williams Simply White Walls + SW Neutral Ground Trim
When you’re looking for a shade that will provide a subtle amount of color, check out Neutral Ground (or a similar light, neutral shade).
In this image from Live Love Larson, the Simply White walls pair nicely with this light tan-toned neutral for a low-key chic look.
20. Benjamin Moore Paper White Walls + BM Sage Wisdom Trim
Since I’m a sucker for sage, I can’t get enough of this color combo! Paper White has subtle gray undertones that tone down the brightness and give it a soft, muted look. It reads white without looking too bright and pairs perfectly with Sage Wisdom in this example from House Mix.
21. BM White Dove Walls + BM Stone Hearth Trim
Seeking Lavender Lane chose a great paint and trim color combination here! White Dove offers a soft, warm-leaning white that complements Stone Hearth.
This greige from Benjamin Moore has taupe undertones to give it more depth than some other greige paint colors.
Wall & Trim Color Combinations Conclusion
That’s a wrap! Whether you will forever be a devoted white trim fan or you’re willing to take a chance on something different, I hope this list of wall and trim paint combinations inspired you with a few new ideas to check out as you choose your new paint colors.
And don’t forget to grab those paint samples to thoroughly check out how various shades will behave in your home before committing to them.
Need more pro paint advice? Check out these popular articles, too:
Pin these paint and trim combos for later:
And if you use one of these combos, make a comment on the pin! That helps others decide whether they’d like to try one of these couplings, too!
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! And before you’re on your way, make sure you grab your free copy of the 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Picking Paint, so you can avoid the heartache (and hole in your wallet) when your paint choices don’t quite work out! Click here, and I’ll send your free copy right now!
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