The 6 Best (Light) Interior Trim & Door Colors That Aren’t White

Beyond White: Elevate Your Home With These Popular Shades

If you want to paint your trims and doors a color other than white, including beige, taupe, greige, and gray, I’ve got you covered—literally—in paint. There are so many gorgeous paint colors to try; however, choosing a non-white is a huge decision that can’t be taken lightly.

Why?

There are a few reasons…

1. You’ll have more wall color options if you choose a darker shade for your trims and doors. However, dark trims aren’t trending (unless you have an old home or a unique one).

Light-colored trims and doors are currently in style, especially colors with LRVs around 60 (give or take 10). However, you’ll have a heck of a time finding a range of coordinating wall colors. Oh, you’ll find a handful—if you have small hands.

2. Let’s say you find your perfect paint color—awesome. But what about a few years down the road when you’re ready to change your wall color and want something new? Chances are you’ll be able to make a minor change or no change at all, as fewer colors suit many of the most popular non-white trim colors.

And guess what? I have non-white doors—painted Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. I even darkened them by 25% to give myself more flexibility. But even then, there are slim pickings around these parts.

Why?

It’s best to have about 15-20+ LRV points or more between your walls and trim (20 is often the best place to start). You can go lower with the odd color combo, but it’s not easy.

So, say you choose a color like Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige for your trims and doors (which we’ll talk about shortly). Gorgeous. Accessible Beige has an LRV of 58. So, to hit that 15-20+ difference with lighter walls, your color needs to be 73+. This means you’re looking at soft whites or bright whites. However, Accessible Beige doesn’t just suit any old white—it’s fussy (which we’ll get to shortly). Sure, you can go darker with an LRV 43-, but that’s not what’s trending right now (but you do you, boo).

Long story…long (as usual), think about whether non-white trim suits you short and long-term. Consider whether white trim could give you more flexibility based on the depth of wall color you want.

Most people want off-white or light-depth walls with their off-white trim, which rarely works. 

 

Now, if you’re ready to bite the bullet, I have some gorgeous trim and door colors to share! Inevitably, I’ll get comments regarding what wall color best suits that particular trim color.

Here’s the deal…

I give away a lot of free information on my blog. If I gave it all away, I wouldn’t have a job, as my blogging is free for you, but my Online Color Consulting pays this Momma’s bills! I hope these color ideas get you on the right track on your color journey.

 

1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS AGREEABLE GRAY 7029

With black doors falling to the backburner, more are opting for a more muted, subtle approach to their doors and trims. This is where we enter the wild world of beige, greige, taupe, and gray.

Gray is a touchy subject, as, in general, it’s not trendy anymore. While there are a few grays I’d humor, most colors lean a bit warmer.

Agreeable Gray is quite agreeable and suits tons of homes and interior finishes, especially with trends transitioning out of gray and into beige. Agreeable Gray isn’t gray—it’s a greige-taupe. This means it’s warmer than gray, not as warm as beige (not even close), and can flex with its undertones.

This first image has Agreeable Gray with Benjamin Moore Classic Gray on the walls…

PERSONALLY, I like to see a bit more contrast. There are approximately 14 LRV points between these two. I want to say that 15 is a bare minimum for most palettes, but 20 is my preferred place to start.

This next photo has Agreeable Gray trim and wainscoting with Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace walls, creating a noticeable but not shocking contrast between the two…

FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

 

COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO COMPARE WITH AGREEABLE GRAY

It’s never about sampling one color. Samples several shades and compare them to see shifts in undertones, depth, and temperature.

• Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray is the most similar.
• Sherwin Williams Anew Gray is stunning and adds a bit more depth.
• For a slightly softer look, check out Sherwin Williams Modern Gray.
• For easy sampling, get your CURATED COLOR BUNDLE, including Agreeable Gray!

This next dining room looks amazeballs with its Agreeable Gray trims and wallpaper with a color similar to Agreeable Gray in it, along with a soft, warm white…

The Best Paint Colors for the Inside of Your Front Door

As for its depth, Agreeable Gray has an LRV of 60, which is comparable to Accessible Beige’s 58. This means your walls could/should have an LRV of approximately 75+ or 35-.

Are there exceptions? Absolutely, there are almost always exceptions, but they’re few and far between

If you love Agreeable Gray, check out these hot shades! 

 

2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ACCESSIBLE BEIGE 7036

Accessible Beige is the most popular trim color (other than white) right now, and it’s no surprise. With trends leaning warmer, colors like Accessible Beige also show up on cabinets and walls.

While current trends cater to lighter walls with non-white trim, I don’t always have the exact photo I need! Instead, this next dining room has Accessible Beige trims and a ceiling with darker beige-taupe walls.

This is a modern take on beige and tan with a soft grayish backdrop. Whereas beiges from the early 2000s are heavy, rich, and golden, Accessible Beige is trendy because it’s more passive in its approach to warmth.

Accessible Beige’s depth is more noticeable against lighter walls that are lighter than it OR when it’s a wall color and partnered with white trim. When Accessible Beige is ‘acting in the place of white’ with a darker wall color (as shown above), it can look lighter than expected! It’s easier to see Accessible Beige’s depth in this staircase below because it contrasts with the white trim. Crazy, eh?

If you want more depth, Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige has more meat on its bones. As for lighter, you’ll start limiting your wall color options, but I must admit that Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White is amazing. In fact, you could continue with it on the walls for a seamless, color-drenched, simple look.

FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige

 

COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO COMPARE WITH ACCESSIBLE BEIGE

It’s never about sampling one color. Samples several shades and compare them to see shifts in undertones, depth, and temperature.

• The previously mentioned Balanced Beige and Aesthetic White
• Sherwin Williams Shiitake is a great comparable
• Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray shifts things a touch grayer compared to Accessible Beige.

I’m just DYING to update that light fixture, but the color palette is pretty! 

Accessible Beige is a unique beige as it isn’t traditionally warm. Instead, it’s grounded by a gray base with a very (very…very) minor nod towards a green undertone. This said, give it the right exposure/environment; some find it a tad pinkish. Color is crazy, eh?

Here’s Accessible Beige (left) compared to Sherwin Williams Natural Linen (right), a warmer, lighter shade of beige. Notice how grounded and organic Accessible Beige looks in comparison.

As for depth, Accessible Beige sits at 58, which puts it on the darker end of the light range.

Your paint sampling life just got a whole lot easier (& more affordable). 

Get your Peel & Stick samples HERE! 

Many are putting Accessible Beige trims and doors with Alabaster walls. You do you, but I find Alabaster a wee touch too warm for this particular depth of beige. Sure, it can work when Accessible Beige is the wall color, and Alabaster is the trim/doors, but walls are super large scale, and Alabaster’s creamy warmth can pop up more than expected in some rooms.

Accessible Beige is a bit more flexible than some lighter shades, but it’ll still give you a run for your money, so sample and compare carefully!

 

3. BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER HC-172

COME TO MOMMA! I love Revere Pewter, which makes sense, as I painted it on my interior doors and kitchen cabinets. Revere Pewter is a light/light-medium depth warm gray. However, its muddy warmth winks at the greige world and holds a beautiful green undertone.

While it’s not on the trim around the door, you can see Revere Pewter in action on this board and batten accent wall…

Here are my interior doors with Revere Pewter 25% darker…

The Best Interior Door Colors With WHITE TRIM

As for depth, Revere Pewter has an LRV of 55, which puts it in between light and light-medium. As mentioned earlier, I darkened it by 25% to give myself more versatility, meaning its LRV is closer to 52 or so.

The darker your trim and doors are (if they aren’t white), the better chance you have of finding a range of wall colors to choose from 

My FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Cool gray isn’t as flexible as warm gray (with new trends, finishes, or other paint colors). While warm grays will have limitations (as does every color), a well-chosen warm gray will suit a wider range of finishes should trends shift. Revere Pewter is a warm gray with an earthy, muddy green hue that I love.

Revere Pewter also has a bit more depth than a few of the others. With its LRV of 55.05, It is on the low end of the light range, giving you more flexibility regarding your wall color options. Even then, it’s still limiting.

Revere Pewter looks gorgeous on the trim, wainscoting and built-ins in this next room. Partnered with Benjamin Moore White Dove on the walls, the overall palette is soft and simple.

This next hallway has personality thanks to the Revere Pewter doors…

FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

 

COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO COMPARE WITH REVERE PEWTER

It’s never about sampling one color. Samples several shades and compare them to see shifts in undertones, depth, and temperature.

• Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray is slightly grayer/less earthy.
• Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil offers a lighter, slightly cooler approach while still having a bit of green.
• Benjamin Moore’s Winterwood picks up a bit more undertone.
• For easy sampling, get your CURATED COLOR BUNDLE, including Revere Pewter.

I only use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients and readers, and not many of them do non-white trim (and those who do haven’t sent in photos yet). So, while I don’t always have the EXACT photos needed, you still get all the helpful info!  

 

4. BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY

Edgecomb Gray is another popular trim and door color. Like Agreeable Gray, it’s not beige or gray. However, Edgecomb Gray is warmer and lighter than Agreeable Gray—it sits in between gray and beige with no strong allegiance to either.

Here are some popular shades compared to a soft, warm white trim. This comparison helps you see the depth you want on your trims…

Egret White (coming up next) | White Heron (not good for trims/doors) | Edgecomb Gray | Modern Gray

With its LRV of 63.09, Edgecomb Gray is in the light range. It’s not as light as Egret White, but it’s still finicky regarding wall color partners. So, when finding a color that goes with Edgecomb, you’ll want to look around 78+ and 48-, although I lean towards 82+ with this particular color.

My FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

I rely 99% on photos from Online Color Consulting clients, readers, and friends! This means I don’t always have the images I need, but I still have the info to get you started! 

 

5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS EGRET WHITE 7570

Do you want a softer, subtler approach for your trims and doors? You might love Egret White. This is a gentle shade of taupe with some of the most MUTED undertones.

Check it out compared to similar, popular neutrals…

Edgecomb Gray (shown earlier) and Modern Gray are great colors to compare with Egret White to see which one best suits your space and lands you with your best wall color.

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Egret White…

My FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Egret White

Egret White has an LRV of 70, which means it’s on the LIGHTEST end of the light range, winking at the off-white world with a come hither glance. When finding a wall color that goes with Egret White trim, you’ll want to land somewhere around 85+ or 55-.

 

6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS NATURAL TAN 7567

Natural Tan is one badass shade of tan, and one of my favorites. Some tans come in hot with a lot of yellow and green – not this bad boy. Natural Tan is muted, subtle, and one of my favorite non-white trim colors.

Here’s Natural Tan compared to a few other popular shades…

Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White | Natural Tan | Benjamin Moore Wind’s Breath | Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Like pulling on a fresh pair of khakis, Natural Tan is a modest neutral. However, with its LRV of 65, it’s still not the easiest color to coordinate with wall colors that are lighter with it—but it’s possible!

This next home shows Natural Tan trim with a darker shade on the walls. This is my Online Color Consulting client’s BEFORE photo, as they hired me to keep the Natural Tan trim but update the walls with a lighter, more modern shade.

I can’t wait to get some AFTER photos!

My FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Natural Tan

Natural Tan is similar to Accessible Beige, but it’s lighter and a bit warmer.

If I were starting again, would I paint my doors (and kitchen cabinets) Revere Pewter?

Nope. Don’t get me wrong; I love them. However, they hold me back and limit me. Next time, I’ll do white.

If you’re thinking about white trims, you can still do non-white doors. In fact, this option can open you up to a whole new world of wall colors!

Check out the comparable blog post: The 9 Best Interior Door Colors With WHITE Trim! 

READ MORE

The Best Medium-Dark Paint Colors for Interior Doors & Trims

The Best Off-White Cabinet Colors

The Best Warm Off-White Paint Colors

Sherwin Williams Anew Gray Paint Color Review

Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige Paint Color Review

The 5 Best Creamy White & Off-White Paint Colors

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting!