Gray is becoming one of the most popular colors in home improvement. It wouldn't be a stretch to call it the neutral of the decade, really. But, with more people trying to find a nice shade of gray for their home's exterior comes a lot of problems. More specifically, how do you pair a gray home with a color trim that works? It's not always that easy, as it turns out.
Finding a trim that pairs well with gray can be difficult, but it isn't impossible. Several colors work well with a gray home, including:
- White
- Cream
- Gray
- Black
To get the best possible results when you're painting your home, it's best to understand how each color trim can impact your home's curb appeal. This article will have you covered!
The Best Trim Colors For A Gray House
Gray houses can be incredibly appealing for both traditionalists and modern architecture. Finding the right trim for each, though, can be difficult. These colors below are probably what you should be looking into.
White
We sometimes add affiliate links and content that was curated and created by our team with the help of advanced ai tools to help showcase the best design styles.
White is one of the most common trim color choices, even if you do not have a gray home. It's a traditional color that helps the home's exterior appear larger and more inviting. Since it works for just about every color, it's considered to be a universally-flattering choice. All gray shades will work with white, and most HOAs will be thrilled to see it.
If you are not sure what shade or color you want to paint your home's facade, choose white. It's a color that will never let you down, even as a pairing for a gray bedroom.
Cream
Cream is slightly different from white, primarily because it has a warmer golden shade to it. Homes done in a gray and cream scheme tend to have a warmer yet aged look to them. This makes cream a good pick for home exteriors done in a Victorian manner with a dollhouse look to them.
Since this tends to give a home a more aged look compared to white, we strongly suggest this for contemporary, traditional, and rustic-style homes. It doesn't always look good with modern architecture.
Gray
Gray on gray? It's more likely than you think, especially when you're talking about two different shades of gray. Matching the siding to the trim gives your home a seamless, sleek look that works particularly well with modern buildings. With that said, many people might find this to be monotonous on certain homes.
You can also choose to work with two different shades of gray--a lighter shade and a darker shade. That's what this apartment building did. While it's an alternative definition of trim, it definitely proves our point well. It's a gorgeous monochromatic look.
Black
Are you looking for a way to bring a bold yet traditional statement to your home's exterior? You're not alone. That's where black comes into play. Black, like gray, is a neutral color. It also happens to be one of the boldest colors you can use on a home's exterior. Black will give you a sharp way to frame your home.
Oddly enough, adding black trim to your home has some interesting side effects. Studies suggest that having black trim and black doors can make a home look more expensive. So, it adds value to the home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matching Trim And Siding
Matching your siding and trim can be hard, even though gray is one of the best siding colors out there. It's totally normal to have questions regarding matching your trim and the different options ahead of you. We decided to find out the answers to the most frequently asked questions involving exterior trim.
Should Trim Be Lighter Or Darker Than Siding?
This all depends on the effect you want. Darker trims will give your home a framed effect, while lighter trims tend to play up the shade of gray that you have. With gray, most people tend to prefer a white or cream hue that helps play up the look of gray. This gives the home a more traditional look and is considered to be the most HOA-friendly option.
Speaking of homeowners' associations, this is actually something that you may want to run by them. Many HOAs now have strict guidelines about trim color as well as how much lighter or darker the color can be.
Do Shutters Have To Match Trim?
Having your window shutters match your trim seems like a must, but it really isn't. In most cases, matching your shutters to the trim is a great way to get a nice, unified look to your home. However, it's not a must. In fact, if you have white trim, it's actually kind of rare to see a home that has white window shutters, even if it is gray.
If you want to match your trim and shutters, that's fine. If not, it's often better to go for shutters that are darker than the trim you choose. This gives the home a more framed, traditional look.
Is Gray A Good Exterior Color?
Gray is currently one of the most popular paint colors for both indoor and outdoor purposes. Since it's a neutral color, it pairs well with most other colors. Unlike other neutrals, though, gray tends to conjure up three main types of ambiance: coastal, traditional, and modern.
If you are looking for an elegant home color that doesn't stand out too much, then gray is a perfect pick. Unlike other home colors, this isn't a polarizing shade. It's not glaringly loud, doesn't clash with other homes in the neighborhood, and won't get your neighbors up in a tizzy.
Should Front Door Match The Trim?
There is no requirement that you need to match the door with the trim. In fact, it actually might be a little too monotonous in some home designs. Your door, along with your shutters, are prime locations for people who want to add a dash of color to their homes. So if you want to make your home stand out tastefully, choose a more exciting color for your door.
This is a great time to hit the pause button and ask yourself if you want to add something interesting to your home. We suggest going with a bold turquoise door, or maybe a red door. Something as simple as a coat of fresh paint on a new door can make a huge difference in how others see your home.
In Closing
Gray is a wonderful color to paint a home, which is specifically why so many home designers are using it as a statement color inside and out. When you're choosing that perfect shade of gray as an exterior color, the possibilities for trim colors are truly endless. However, some colors are just more popular than others.
When you're looking for the right trim color, it's important to make sure that you pick a color that works with your particular shade of gray. Of course, that's not always easy to do. To make things easier, we suggest getting a swatch of paint to press against the home's siding to see how things will look. In a little time, you'll undoubtedly find the picture-perfect match for your home.