Trim is a subtle feature in the home but contributes a lot to the overall look of your space, whether inside or outdoors. Sherwin Williams offers a lot of paint colors and finishing options, but which one will complement your style? We have researched answers for you.
Sherwin-Williams recommends using oil-based paint for trims since they hold their own against high-traffic areas such as kitchens, living rooms, and receiving rooms. Adhesion should be a priority, and oil/alkyd paint offers this best.
Exterior trims work best with latex-based paint. Remember to use interior and exterior paints as necessary. Paint colors to consider include:
- Black Magic SW 6991
- Upward SW 6239
- Cascades SW 7263
- Rare Gray SW 6199
- Alabaster SW 7008
- Snowbound 7004
Trims are usually treated as an afterthought since they're seen as a minor feature compared to the rest of the space. However, they are just as crucial since they outline your interior/exterior. Keep reading as we dive into the best Sherwin-Williams paint colors you can use for your trim!
What Type Of Paint Is Best For Trim?
Before choosing the paint color that goes with your house, it is crucial to choose the right type of paint to use first. This will ensure that your effort does not go to waste and that your desired color will last a long time.
Oil-based paint is highly recommended for trims since they are incredibly durable and can handle a lot of contact. Trims and moldings tend to bear the brunt of accidental furniture bumps, so you want paints with a hard coating to protect them.
The hard coating will not only protect the trims from traffic: but it can also protect the surfaces from stains, rust, and rot.
How To Choose The Right Trim Color
Now that you've chosen the correct type of paint, it's time to choose the right trim color: arguably the most exciting part!
However, before heading forward and choosing the most visually appealing colors, you should first tackle the various factors that can affect your color options.
Observing and predicting how the colors will play out in the space will keep you from making mistakes. It will help avoid wasting time and energy and ensure that your room looks exactly as you envisioned.
Here is how you can choose the right trim color:
Observe The Room's Aesthetic
Although trims are only a sliver of color compared to the whole space, they can accentuate your room's aesthetic or fade into the background.
Either way, it's challenging to get the trim colors wrong; but you may regret choosing a neutral color when you could've chosen a trim color that could complete the room's look and tie up all the design elements.
For example, if you have blue walls, you can make the room look more traditional and classic with white trims. However, you can make it more elegant with wood-toned or dark grey trims.
Read: "11 Colors That Go With Antique White Trim Or Cabinets."
Consider The Space
Trim colors do a lot to the spacial perspective of the room. Since they outline the space, they can either narrow down or open up the room. Of course, this depends on your preference.
If you want to widen the space, choose light-colored trim colors for a breathier feel. This is more effective if your walls are also in a neutral or light tone.
However, you can choose dark-colored trims if you already have a vast space and want a cozier and more intimate feel. Dark colors also provide structure and depth, especially with contrasting walls.
Read: "What Color To Paint Molding, Baseboards, And Overall Trim? [3 Options]."
Look at The Lighting
How the light strikes in a space is an often overlooked but essential part of planning the colors in a room. It's also important to consider whether there is natural light at all.
When testing paint swatches, look at them in different lighting conditions too. Colors react differently to other lighting conditions, and you need to make sure your room will look good regardless.
Check The Swatches
Samples and swatches are there for a reason--you need to examine them so you can rest assured of what you're choosing for your space. However, swatches are not always accurate.
If possible, ask for an actual sample so you can have a more accurate idea of how the color will look on your home's trim.
Make sure to check multiple samples and swatches so you can choose the best color. It helps if you can create a color palette for the interior to have an easier time visualizing.
Consider How The Color Fades
Although ideally, we should always be able to retouch the paint in our homes, this is not the case realistically. Paint is bound to fade when it hasn't been repainted for a long time.
Sherwin-Williams paint typically lasts up to 10 years; after that, it can begin to fade. Surfaces can be susceptible to fading, especially when sunlight hits them.
So, when choosing paint, consider how it will look when it fades. Fading softer colors are less noticeable, while deeper colors can have a more obvious fading.
What Paint Finish Should The Trim Have?
Designers recommend that trims be painted in a semi-gloss finish for a clean, sleek, and defined look. Trims outline the room, so you should have a finish that can accentuate the space, albeit subtly.
Semi-gloss finishes also add to the durability of the trims since they have a hard coating that can protect them from accidental bumps and scratches.
Which Sherwin-Williams Colors Work Best For Trim?
Sherwin Williams paint offers many gorgeous color options that are both elegant and aesthetically versatile. Contrary to common knowledge, stark white paint is not the only "safe color" you can paint your trims.
However, Sherwin-Williams offers deeper and more vibrant colors if you want to be bolder. Here are the ones you can consider.
Black Magic SW 6991
This shade of black can provide depth and dimension to the space. They add a contemporary feel to the area, especially with eggshell walls.
This shade pairs best with cold-toned wall colors since it creates a more harmonious and visually appealing look.
Upward SW 6239
This powder blue shade may be for you if you want a softer and lighter trim color. This is an excellent alternative to white trims, and they pair well with many color schemes.
You can also pair this with dark-colored walls for a more layered look, or you can pair it with equally light-colored walls for a cohesive look.
Cascades SW 7263
If you have a nature-themed color palette, you can accentuate it using this shade of green from Sherwin Williams.
The dark color can add structure to the space without veering away from your aesthetic, and it's an excellent alternative to black or dark grey trim.
Rare Gray SW 6199
If you want to lean into a more contemporary or minimalist style, this shade of grey is for you. It gives off an air of quiet elegance that can spruce up your space effortlessly.
Pair the trims with other hues to liven up the space.
Alabaster SW 7008
Alabaster SW 7008 is a soft shade of white that can brighten up a room and make your trims look polished and effortlessly chic.
It has pale green undertones, which may be emphasized under natural light.
Since it has soft green undertones, it is ideal to combine them with walls painted in colors with warm undertones.
Snowbound 7004
This shade of white has pink undertones, so it's best to avoid wall colors that have pronounced yellow undertones since the colors can clash and look chaotic.
Pair this trim color with cool-toned walls for a more balanced and visually cohesive look.
Our Final Thoughts
Choosing the right trim color can sometimes be confusing, especially if it's your first time choosing from the many options of paint type, finish, and color. However, it could be less intimidating if you have a basic knowledge of how colors work and which type of paint is best.
As always, maintain your trims so they can consistently bring beauty to your home for many years. Good luck with your project!