Choosing the Right Paint Colour

One of the easiest ways to add style and flair to a room is through the color you choose when painting the wood trim – doors and windows, sills and frames, baseboards and skirting, wainscoting – even picture frames.

By keeping the walls of your room painted a neutral color, you can use bolder colors on the woodwork to create contrast and drama, as well as draw attention to focal points and features of the architecture.

There are many different ways you can use color on your woodwork. There are certain features that you may prefer to have blend in to the walls, like closet doors. In that case you may want to use the same color or a very similar color as the surrounding walls.

By using a color wheel, you can choose either complementary or contrasting colors to help draw focus to certain features. It’s best to use one color on all the woodwork in a single room, as it helps create a sense of space and continuity.

Of course, you don’t always need to use a color; white is a classic color for trim and woodwork. Seafoam blue walls with white trim creates a soft nautical look, while white trim paired with a dark mustard color wall gives a very elegant result.

If you prefer, use closely related colors on the walls and trim. Charcoal and dove grey is a classic combination that creates a muted, quiet look. Or try a pale sand color with a slightly darker beige.

If you go for stronger colors, pink and taupe are a beautiful combination, just make sure the taupe you choose has warm pink undertones rather than green.

Of course, choosing the colors is the just the beginning! Once you’ve decided on the color to use for your woodwork, you’ll want to prepare it with an undercoat. Next, put one or two coats of paint; we suggest you go with full gloss, semi-gloss or matte enamel. Typically, wood trim is painted using an oil based paint, but there are some newer water based enamels that can be used.

Enjoy the beautiful living spaces you’ll have when you take the time to choose the right colors for your rooms.