Are Wood Trims Outdated or In Style?

WOOD TRIMS: STAINED, PAINTED, OR REPLACED?

When updating a home with wood trims and doors, it can be hard to know what’s worth keeping, replacing, or painting. Thank goodness you have a little Ginger tucked in your back pocket (who pinches upon request). 

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However, if you get your knickers in a knot at the thought of someone saying your wood trim might be outdated, unclench those beautiful buttcheeks. 

I’m here to help. If you want to keep your wood trim and don’t care if it’s outdated, this blog post is for YOU, TOO! I wrote this for those who…

• Want to know if their existing wood trim (and doors) is worth keeping stained or should be painted (based on what’s trendy).
• Wonder if their wood trim suits their home, regardless of trends.
• Are thinking about installing new wood trim and wonder if it’s in style.

Sure, I’m throwing a few wood trims under the bus, but not all of them. You might be surprised by some of my opinions, as they’re not always about what’s trendy! 

So, let’s enter the wild world of woody goodness…

WHAT MAKES WOOD TRIMS LOOK OUTDATED VS. TIMELESS?

When it comes to wood trims, hubbies usually want to keep their wood au naturel, and the gals are more inclined to enhance their wood with paint. This is where size matters (wink wink), which we’ll get to shortly. First…

The Best White Paint Colors With Dark Wood

IS WOOD TRIM IN STYLE?

No, wood trim isn’t in style. If you want to install wood trims in your new home or remodel, that choice is more about ‘personal preferences‘ vs. an ‘updated, trendy look‘.

Sure, I’ve seen some wood trim pop up on my Kylie M Instagram, but it isn’t in ANY way mainstream in the average home. Will it get there?

I have an opinion on a lot of things, including the best Cornut flavor (Picante Con Limon) and the best white wine with Kraft Dinner (any). My opinion on this is…maybe. 

WHAT MAKES WOOD TRIM LOOK OUTDATED?

With very few exceptions, here are the two main features that make wood trim look out of style…

Just because a finish looks ‘outdated based on trends’, doesn’t mean it doesn’t look good for the home itself! 

1. SIZE: Thin wood trims are harder to integrate into an updated home, as they’re well-associated with the 1970s and 1980s.
2. STAIN COLOR: Oak and maple trim popped up more in the 1990s, and while some look beautiful, most are too ‘golden oak’ to look updated. They’re often accompanied by equally golden flooring. It’s not always just one finish that dates a home, but a combination. 

How to Update Golden Oak Cabinets, Trims, & Flooring

WHERE DO WOOD TRIMS LOOK THEIR BEST?

If your wood trim has a chance of avoiding the paint gauntlet, it might have one of these characteristics…

COME TO MOMMA! 

• It’s thick and juicy. No matter what decade (or century) your home was built in, thick wood trims can be tough to paint as they’re SO friggin’ meaty and gorgeous! 
• It coordinates. As shown in the above image, the wood trim and floor look great together as their undertones and age jibe. 
• It’s in an old home. Older heritage homes usually suit natural wood trim better than homes from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. This is because the woods used in the olden days were often higher quality and more substantial. These are usually DARK WOODS, not light. 
• Your home has style. Wood trims can make a ton of sense if your home’s unique style supports them. They can make the most sense in rustic, woodsy, mountain, or lakeside homes. They’re also associated (a bit) with the Studio McGee / Amber Interiors vibe, but they’re few and far between. You need some pretty badass, intentional styling to support it (these are usually new trim installations, not the resurrection of old ones). 

Oh, were you waiting for images of a more ‘modern home’ with wood trim? I don’t have those. I have very few clients who install new wood trims, and they don’t always send photos. 

By the way, All the photos in my blog are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, & friends— because real homes deserve to be celebrated (dirty laundry & all!) While not magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas & proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.

In most cases, it’s best to paint wood trims for the most updated look. Again, if you don’t care about looking updated, keep them wood.

Sure, thin wood trims will still be thin when you paint them, but at least they’ll have one updated thing about them.

CAN YOU MAKE WOOD TRIM LOOK MODERN?

While the odd home can pull off a more modern, updated look with new wood trim, it takes very…very carefully curated decor and furnishings and QUALITY wood. It also needs to make sense for the home’s particular style.

Even then, to make an existing wood trim look ‘modern’ is a stretch. My simple answer is no. 

While white trims would brighten this space, the wood trims and doors suit it (quality). 

LET’S TALK ABOUT SUITABILITY

Just because something isn’t trendy doesn’t mean it isn’t gorgeous when it’s quality and well-coordinated to its surroundings—again, it’s not necessarily updated, but it can still look good.

There’s also a HUGE difference between ‘what’s trend and in-style‘ vs. ‘what ISN’T trendy, but still suits the home its in‘. 

This trim looks like quality, slightly thicker maple. It also coordinates with the oak flooring & cherry red cabinets.

I’ve had many Online Color Consulting clients who want to keep their wood trims—either because they love them or because their hubby has threatened divorce. 

In some cases, I agree with the hubby, as many wood trims LOOK GOOD in the home they’re in. Updated? No. Good? Yes. 

Just a heads-up; if it looks like this, I’m probably recommending paint. 

If you and your hubby can’t agree, I’m happy to be your marriage counsellor. 

DO/DON’T PAINT YOUR WOOD TRIM IF…

• Don’t paint your wood trim if you love a homey, more natural look. It might not be updated, but it might feel good to you. 
• Do paint your trim if it’s thinner, and you worry about resale. 
• Consider painting your trim a fool-proof shade of white if you’ve updated other parts of your home, and it stands out (not in a good way). 
• Definitely paint your trim if you’ve updated your flooring and the undertones and grains aren’t a GREAT match. 

WOULD I INSTALL WOOD TRIM IN MY HOME? 

Heck no. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE it in some homes, but it’s not in style right now. I like my home to be a blend of things I love without abandoning what’s trendy (in case we decide to sell in the next few years). 

If I moved into this next home, the trim would be painted before I even unpacked my bag…

Ideas to Update Your 1990s Bathroom

Seriously, though, if I moved into a home with wood trim, unless it’s old and thick (which is kind of how I like my men—just joking), I’d probably paint it. 

PAINT THIS TRIM OR KEEP IT STAINED…

This next section is about looking at rooms with wood trim and figuring out the best way to update them without losing the room’s look and intention. This isn’t about personal tastes; it’s about making the room best suit itself with a bit of modernity in mind—capiche? 

EXAMPLE 1

Let’s take a look at this first homey home (not to be confused with a ‘homie’ home—I don’t envision any gangsters living here). 

Does the red-stained wood trim suit this home and the surrounding finishes? You bet your cute little booty it does. It makes sense with the side tables, coffee table, and what I can see of the kitchen. 

HOWEVER, it looks a bit 1980s/1990s and dates this room. While a warmer paint color on the walls would help, I’d paint this trim a fool-proof shade of white. 

EXAMPLE 2

This next home has a similar trim size to the previous example; the stain color is just a bit more orange rather than red-orange.

The Best Green Paint Colors for Cabinets

This home suits its wood trim perfectly! However, if a) the cabinets were painted white and b) the doors weren’t a glorious solid oak, I’d probably paint the trim, and maybe the doors a popular white paint color (the wood trim/door/green cabinet combo is what works).

EXAMPLE 3

This next wood trim suits this home, and being oak and slightly chonky (technical term), it looks quality…

Check out the 4 Palettes to Update This Wood Kitchen

However, that’s a BUTTLOAD of wood. If I want to keep this trim, I’m throwing an area rug under the table and in the open space behind the stools to break things up. I might also paint the cabinets, possibly leaving the island in its natural wood finish (and update the backsplash with a timeless tile, for sure).

EXAMPLE 4

Here’s some good 1980s/1990s wood trim for you to feast your eyes on…

The Best Off-White Neutrals With Dark Wood

Without a doubt, I’d paint this wood trim. It’s dark and heavy for this space, and too dark with the wood flooring. 

Luckily, my Online Color Consulting client agreed with me…

I don’t always get after photos, but I sure appreciate when I do! 

EXAMPLE 5

This next wood trim has a few things going against it…

• While I can see the baseboard is thicker, chair rails definitely date a room, and I’m sure the window trim (that’s since been removed) is a similar size.
• The stain color is too strong.
• Its orange-red undertone clashes with the oak flooring in the living room.
• It just LOOKS dated

EXAMPLE 6

In this next living room, ignore my notes (I used it as an example of mismatched undertones)…

Paint Color Ideas to Update Your 2000s Home

Starting with the beams—HELLLLLS no, I’d never paint those bad boys. The same goes for the mantel. 

As for the trims, that’s tough.

• I know the trim will look DRASTICALLY better with a wall color that coordinates with the stone and wood undertones—the yellow hue isn’t doing them any favors.
• I also think the dark wood suits the ‘vibe’ of this space. 
• Assuming the kitchen cabinets are also dark wood, I lean toward keeping them stained. If they happen to be painted white (doubtful for this decade of kitchens), I’d consider painting them (but would still waffle). 

IF YOU HAVE WOOD TRIMS & WOOD DOORS, SHOULD YOU PAINT THEM BOTH?

Not necessarily. Many homes look gorgeous with white trims and wood doors, assuming your wood doors are gorgeous enough to accent. 

Keep in mind that this approach is high-contrast. I love it for ‘key doors’ like front doors and French doors, but if the other two doors in the above photo were wood, it could look quite busy. 

The Best Paint Colors for the INSIDE of Your Front Door

IF YOU HAVE WOOD TRIMS & DOORS, CAN YOU PAINT THE DOORS BUT LEAVE THE TRIM STAINED?

Yup, as long as the doors are darker than your trim stain color. White doors with wood trim look janky. 

But would I really do it? Probably not, especially if it’s a quality oak door like this…

READ MORE

QUESTIONNAIRE: Is it Better to Paint or Stain Your Wood Cabinets?

How to Mix & Match Wood Stain Colors Like a Pro

Need Kylie’s help deciding what to do?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting

 

 

When I help my Online Color Consulting clients decide whether to keep their wood cabinets stained or paint them, I consider a few things…

• How strong is the grain? Strong grains aren’t in style. A mild or moderate grain is workable.
• How strong is the stain? While I can often work wonders with raging red stains and pickled pink stained oaks, this doesn’t mean they’ll look UPDATED with a new wall paint color.
• Are the hinges hidden or exposed? Many people want to paint their cabinets white without realizing that their exposed hinges will become a main feature. It’s like having pasty white skin and having your black bra strap peeking out of your tank top. A wood grain helps camouflage hinges.
• Do the cabinet doors have an arched/cathedral-style top? Sometimes, the best update for this cabinet style is paint, as this dated cabinet profile is often partnered with a strong stain color—double-whammy.
• Are you staying in your home for a long time or considering resale? Unless your cabinets are in the .5% (or installed recently), chances are they aren’t modern enough for today’s buyer. Most buyers prefer painted cabinets to outdated wood ones.

This said, if you’re staying in your home and love your wood – you do you, boo!

WHAT MAKES WOOD FLOORING LOOK DATED VS. UPDATED?

When considering wood flooring, there’s a lot more forgiveness.

Why?

Well, painting your cabinets or trims (if you have to) is way easier and more affordable than restaining or replacing your wood flooring. Often, doing something about it isn’t even a topic of conversation as it costs toooo much money.

• Generally, the thinner your wood strips, the older your flooring is. Still, a 3 1/2″ strip floor with a modern stain color and a muted/matte sheen can look fabulous. Maybe not 100% updated, but close enough.
• Intense wood stain colors look older, so watch for those red, orange, and yellow hues popping up. Again, sometimes it is what it is, but to answer the question, the degree of color matters.
• SHEEN matters! The most modern choice is a matte, slightly textured finish, with no hand-carved or ‘saw-edge’ details or heavy wire brushing.

 

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At the end of the day, most of us are workin’ with what we’ve got, in which case, we need to consider our wood’s needs and make our choices accordingly.