Dark Wood Trim: The Best Neutral Paint Colours to Coordinate
While this blog post refers to the wood trims of the 70’s & 80’s, the colour ideas are also FAB for older homes with dark trim work.
With a focus on updating the oaks and maples of the 90’s, it’s easy to bypass the dark wood trims and doors of the 70’s and 80’s. Oh, those were the days…shag carpets, avocado coloured fridges and macramé plant hangers (wait, isn’t some of this back in style again?).
Do you think it’s the colour of your trim that is the problem? Think again…
- With its 2″ width, the SIZE is 1970’s, not the stain colour. In fact, some of the most amazing homes have dark wood trim – but it’s thicker, more substantial looking and often a finer quality wood. In other words, don’t curse the colour, curse the size. Once you get 3″ plus things start looking a bit better
- There is nothing we can do about the size, however, there is A LOT we can do with what is going on around your trim
- Painting your dark wood trim would help modernize your home, just keep in mind it would STILL be narrower than modern styles
- And if you’re reading this blog post I’m assuming that painting your trim is out of the question for financial, labour-intensive and marital reasons (oh those hubby’s…)
The above 2 photos are great examples of trim that is wider than the 70’s and 80’s versions
So, while there isn’t much we can do about the size of your wood (wink wink), there is A LOT we can do with what is around it (I’d say we could enhance your wood, but that might be crossing a line…)
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Shown above, BM Revere Pewter
So let’s update that old wood trim WITHOUT painting it!
Before we begin, stop thinking of your trim as a ‘wood/stain’ and start thinking of it as a COLOUR. That’s right, if you blurred your eyes to block out the grain you’d be dealing with a dark brown colour.
Medium Toned Gray and Brown Paint Colours with Dark Wood Trim
For a modern look, gray is undoubtedly one of the best choices (along with off-white). Grays are popular because they are versatile and accommodate a wide variety of wood tones, styles and accent colours. The key to picking any gray is to figure out which gray undertones you’re dealing with (and what you and your home can live with).
A gray colour like this (in a room with enough natural light) is a STUNNING complement to dark wood trim. The brown of the trim and the gray paint colour play well together, creating a neutral, organic and modern look.
A few colours to check out:
- Sherwin Williams Tin Lizzie (shown above), is a gorgeous medium toned charcoal that has a blue/green undertone, which complements the warm wood tones.
- You can also look at slightly softer and warmer grays like Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray, Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray.
Read more: Benjamin Moores Best Gray Paint Colours
As for the brown range, you need to be careful that you don’t just blend things right in. Because you have ‘brown’ trim, if you partner it with a comparable brown paint colour, everything will blend right in and you’ll lose the glory of your wood.
SW Balanced Beige via Kylie M Edesign
A few beige/browns to check out…
- Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige (shown in both photos above) is a beautiful light/medium beige with a subtle gray cast to it
- Benjamin Moore Cabot Trail is a pretty, soft brown with a subtle grayish base so that it isn’t overly golden toned like some browns
- Sherwin Williams Latte is a rich golden brown – kind of in between beige and brown in depth
Keep in mind…
- A room with a medium/dark paint colour and dark trim needs adequate lighting to bring things to life. It also needs to be lightened and brightened via accents and decor so that there is some contrast and interest, otherwise, things may fall a bit flat and heavy
- While warm browns like the ones shown above can look awesome with dark trim, heavier chocolate browns can blend in and leave your room without much definition or contrast
Read more: Don’t forget about choosing the best colour for a north facing or south facing room!
Light and Neutral Paint Colours with Dark Wood Trim
When using light and bright paint colours, you have to be careful that your home décor can visually support a high contrast look. Without getting into too much detail (as there will be another blog post about this in the future), you need other high contrast items in your room that mimic the look of your trim/walls.
BM Collingwood via Kylie M Interiors E-Design
SW Agreeable Gray via Kylie M Edesign
While this isn’t the traditional 1970’s look, the dark wood flooring and door help to show you how a soft, light gray paint colour can look beautiful with darker wood tones.
A few neutrals to check out…
- SW Natural Tan (shown in above stairwell). Natural Tan is a soft tan with a subtle grayish cast to it, so it isn’t a golden/yellow type of tan
- SW Accessible Beige. Accessible Beige is a light beige that has a slightly more taupe/gray slant to it
- BM Collingwood. This is a warm gray, so there is a bit of beige in it and a very faint purple undertone
Keep in mind that an off-white or light colour would be more noticeable with clean white trim. Dark trim tends to make light colours look LIGHTER than they would with white trim.
In the above photo, you can see that compared to the white crown molding, you can ‘see’ the colour a bit more, whereas against teh dark trim, it’s a bit more difficult to figure out what the undertones are.
Things to think about
- The lighter your paint colour is, the more high contrast your room will look. High contrast can make a room look slightly smaller and more cluttered, particularly if you have a LOT of doorways and windows. While you can remedy this with many other elements, it is something to be aware of
- Light, neutral and warm can also mean ‘cream’. Now cream and off-white are BEAUTIFUL complements to dark wood, however, HEAVY creams are not. Let me rephrase that, they ARE beautiful complements if you like a more traditional look. However, it can be a heavy and almost murky look if a) your room doesn’t have enough natural light b) if you don’t have modern enough décor and c) if you are going for an ‘overall’ modern style.
Read more: Sherwin Williams: 10 Best Gray and Greige Paint Colours
‘Colours’ with Dark Wood Trim
You can also dive into the slightly colourful range by choosing neutrals with undertones such as blue, green and purple. This means that you will be working with a gray or greige paint colour that has obvious colours in it.
SW Sea Salt via Kylie M Edesign
A few colours to check out…
- Sherwin Williams Sea Salt – a gray/green that can pick up a blue cast as well (read more here)
- Sherwin Williams Chatroom – A gray with a good green/greige undertone
- Benjamin Moore Abalone. A lighter gray/brown/purple blend (not as nice with the dark woods with a stronger orange tone though)
Things to think about…
- Generally speaking, the more ‘colour’ you add, the less modern your room may look. Now this isn’t a bad thing as it can also look more vintage and have more personality than a neutral colour
- The more colour you add, the more you may complement your dark wood, meaning your wood could stand out and ‘pop’ more than you want it to
- Medium tones can be FABULOUS with dark trim, but you will need to add white/off-white elsewhere to add some contrast to the space, otherwise, things can feel too dull and heavy. Without the white shown in this photo, the dark wood flooring and doors would just feel heavy and bland with that paint colour.
So there you are my friends! I hope I’ve helped to enhance your wood (a girl can dream!) and lower your stress level!
Not sure which colour is best for you and YOUR home?
Check out my affordable Online Colour Consulting Services!
Kylie M Interiors Virtual Decorating and Design Services (E-Design) Colour Consulting featuring Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams Based in Nanaimo BC Canada
Oh you are too funny lol!! Great, informative post. As usual I chuckled all the way through it. Have a great day. 🙂
Really enjoyed this post! Goes to show how the right paint colour changes everything. The first before and after is incredible. What a difference. We just moved into a house 4 months ago that has all brown doors and trim. I am in the process of painting all the brown with BM Cloud White. An amazing difference already but like you said, a lot of work! The hall down to the bedrooms looked like a tunnel…lol. The white trim really opens it up and it looks so much brighter. Look forward to your next post. Thanks.
Bert
Thanks Bert! If you haven’t already, you’ll want to change out the old hardware too (usually those dark brown doors/trims are accompanied by those old brass style knobs) We had those in the last house and changing the knobs and hinges was a GAME changer for updating the house!
~Kylie
Thanks, Kylie. Right now I’m working on trim. We plan to replace the doors and will definitely be getting new door knobs or handles. Never thought about the hinges so thanks for that. I’ve seen a lot of dark door knobs lately and thought they looked very nice. Do you think the black would look out of place on new doors? We’re keeping our eyes open for sales.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this!!! You are great about explaining the reasons behind the color choices, which is so helpful. Looking forward to the follow-up on contrast!
Judy, you are MOST welcome – glad you enjoyed it!
~Kylie
Oh my…this article may have literally convinced me to convince my husband to reconsider purchasing an old house we’ve been eyeing up! It would be an amazing space for our family with 4 kids, but the amount of updating it requires (and the attached price tag) has intimidated us. Your pictures show that the right paint/decor really can make an older home look lovely. Even with the modern paint colors and furniture, I think the rooms shown maintain a traditional feel, which I enjoy, because of the dark wood. If we do ever pull the trigger on that home, I will definitely use you for e-consultation. Thanks again for the great info!
Wahoo, now THAT is what I’d like to hear! I’d LOVE to help you with your home if you go ahead with the purchase – good luck Steph!
And you know, if you want a 2nd, unbiased opinion on the house, just to look at the scope of the projects I’d be happy to take a quick boo at it if you email me the link! [email protected] I wouldn’t get into too much detail, but I can certainly say whether ‘I’d’ do it or not (I’m a bang for buck gal – nothing too major…)
~Kylie
Great information. ..I was wondering what you would think is a good ceiling paint with Simply White – BM
Hi Amy, when it comes to ceilings, they always pick up a shadowed look anyway, simply because the are kind of upside down and horizontal. For this reason I would use Simply White because it is going to look different anyway! More cool, crisp whites can go even more gray toned and Simply White has that nice soft warm undertone to it which helps to counteract the shadows a wee bit.
Thanks for asking!
~kylie
Kylie- I am about to paint my 80’s style house that jade dark wood trim and moderate light. I am really leaning toward Sherwin Williams Modern Gray. I see many post on Repose Gray and Mindful Gray and others, but no one mentions Modern Gray. Am I missing something in this color, is there some reason it’s doesn’t seem to be as popular as some of the others?
Thanks!
Hi Amy, I’m glad you brought that up! Modern Gray IS such a pretty gay and I am often tempted by it, but it ‘can’ pick up a slight pinkish look compared to some of the other popular grays. Now this does make it look softer and not as cold as many other grays, but it’s a bit more unpredictable I’d say. Now your walls won’t look pink, that’s not what this is about. It’s about a very subtle undertone that may come through. It also has a bit more brown/taupe to it than some of the other popular ones.
I hope that clears it up for you!!!
~Kylie
Also, it IS a pretty choice with dark wood trim, so you are totally okay on that front 🙂
Thank you so much for this post. All I see in decor magazines are homes with miles and miles of white trim. My house is an 1894 tudor with elaborately milled, formal, very dark oak trim. It would be a crime to paint it, but choosing paint colors around it is tricky! It’s nice to see dark trim getting some loving attention.
Hello, thank you for commenting! I LOVE homes with dark trims when it is done well, and with an 1894 Tudor I bet it’s STUNNING! I just wish there were more inspirational photos online with dark trim – it’s few and far between when I KNOW there are some beauties out there!
~Kylie
Thank you so much for giving some attention to dark wood trim! We just bought a new house and the previous owner was retired master carpenter. There is some beautiful work here with really thick big quality wood and wood like to see if I can make it work and remodel my house in a way that is unexpected. I figure worst case senario I don’t end up liking it and paint the trim white. Thanks for this inspiration!
Hi Holly, I’m glad you found some inspiration with my blog post! And yes, I just wish there were MORE photos online as examples help SO much when explaining an idea – and I LOOOVE some of the old, dark wood trim, it’s nice to work with it if you can and yes, if all else fails – there’s always white paint!
~Kylie
What a great and timely article! I have antique cherry stained raised-panel (18″ wide boards!) and painting them is not an option in my 1970’s home…I’ve been thinking a light gray, perhaps Gray Owl just to update this room. You have given me something to ponder…Thank you!
Hi Deb, thank you for the note – I’m glad the info came in handy! And yes, Gray Owl is a stunning colour with it’s subtle undertones, making it a very versatile gray!
Thank you for posting this with such eloquent explanations of why to use one color over another. Very enlightening. I’ve been searching for about 6 months now for colors for our Dutch Colonial built in 1929, with tons of medium colored natural wood, not sure what type of wood it is. But it goes along the side of our staircase and adds a lot of character, but is also distracting for me to settle on a color scheme for my home. Your examples helped me have a clearer idea of the route I should be going. Thanks!
A year ago, we bought a 1916 four-square with Craftsman influence. The entire first floor, as well as the master bedroom and hallways on the second floor, have lots of dark stained wood trim and built-ins. The trim itself is beautiful — especially the fireplace and surrounding built-ins, but the previous owner listened to her real estate agent and painted over her happy wall colors with drab beige. Now, this beige wall color would look gorgeous in a Suzanne Kasler-designed room with white trim. But against the dark wood, it is drab and sad. For a year now I’ve been waiting to repaint, and I’m finally narrowing down my choices. I think I’m going with a really soft pink, a pinky white, and a soft (but not baby) blue. I’m thinking that as awesome as pink and brown are together, that combo will really make the stained wood sing!
Hi Hollie, your home sounds BEAUTIFUL – we don’t get many Craftsman style homes here on Vancouver Island (or at least, not in Nanaimo!). I think your colours sounds lovely! As long as you have just a weeeee drop of gray in them, they should go too ‘baby’ inspired’ and you should be rockin’ – I would loooove to see photos!!!!
~Kylie
Thanks for the article. I did notice that nearly every example you showed was a historic home with built-ins, wide baseboards, multi-panel doors, and windows with exterior casement…or grandiose new homes made to look older. I thought this was meant to show how to update a 70’s look? That is significantly more challenging, like the first photo in this article. I work with clients as a color and design consultant and I’m interested to see someone else’s approach to updated the very dated look of post mid-century modern.
Personally, I have a 1909 home with gorgeous woodwork in the living room, dining room, and hallway. 12 years ago I painted the living room an army green. We have four large windows, a front door with lots of light, and a mirror so it didn’t feel as dark as some would think. The dining room is a warm neutral with a gold tone. People seem to love it. However, I’m ready to make a change in the living room and have been considering Revere Pewter or something else in the” greige” family that has a warm undertone. Our wood has the reddish cast to it so I can’t get too cold with the color choice. That is the one thing I would suggest to others in this situation. Avoid using cools with warm darks, and vice versa when it comes to paint and wood tones. Leave that for the accessories.
Hi Alison! You know, I would LOVE to show more photos of 70’s and 80’s homes but they are SO hard to come by (wink wink nudge nudge – if you have any good ones I’d love to use them!!!!). Of course there are SO many stunning photos of the older homes with the dark wood – but with the 70’s home, everyone seems to paint it or replace it – rather than work with it. And I DO love Revere Pewter, it’s just that perfect flexible warm gray and while the green undertone doesn’t always show up, when it does it’s pretty and would be subtle enough still with the red toned wood for sure!
I am updating a VERY 70’s house which has a lot of light and which I LOVE — but I am really struggling with how to update it inexpensively. Particularly since my furnishing tendencies are not modern, but Victorian antiques and hippie-chic hodgepodge.
I have vaulted ceilings upstairs, and a low ceiling down – and am getting new flooring put in next month (yay!!)
All the doors and that skinny trim are dark — but I’ve been anxious about using gray and cool colors for the walls b/c the trim/doors are reddish. Not super red, but if you put a cool color next to the brown, it looks… uncomfortable.
Also, ALL the cabinetry in my kitchen is the same dark color. They are good, solid wood cabinets and I can’t justify replacing them. Have thought about painting them, but then I’m still competing with all the doors/trim that are still brown. And yes – painting ALL that trim and the doors is daunting. Besides, the sliding glass doors are brown also and then they’d REALLY stick out. Ah, it’s a slippery slope… easier to embrace the dark trim, I think.
And if you really want pictures of 70’s houses with dark trim — I could overwhelm you! 😀
Oh I always always need photos – you can just fill yer boots and send them along if you’d like! [email protected] As a thank you, I’d be happy to throw 1 or 2 colour options your way!
~Kylie
Hi! I love your blog! We just bought a home with dark to med wood trim on everything. Trying to convince my husband that we can have a balance like painting the trim white but leaving the exposed beams, floors and stairs wood. Trying to figure out wall color too! Need some advice!!!
Hi Sarah, YES, you can absolutely do a happy medium – no need to paint it all white! And I would LOVE to help. You can check out my E-design if you’d like – it’s fun and affordable. This way I can take a good look at photos of your home and your questionnaire and come up with some beautiful palette options. If that interests you, here’s the link https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Hope that helps!
~Kylie
I love your blog! Could Carrington Beige HC-93 work with dark wood paneling? I have paneling half way up the wall in my hallway (1930s) that is mahogany colour (with a red tone in it). It is currently painted Carrington Beige but I’m not sure if that look is too dark and dated. The hallway gets light from the north and the west. Let me know if you would like some paneling photos for your blog.
Hmmm, off the top of my head, i might say it could be a touch murky looking as it does have a wink of green in it…perhaps I could talk you into the slightly more neutral Manchester Tan????
And yes, I’m ALWAYS needing photos with dark wood panelling, absolutely!!!!
~Kylie
Thanks so much! Is there a page on your site where you talk about Carrington Beige or is that a colour you avoid? We have a lot of it (whole basement family room is covered in it!) and I prefer it over similar colours with pink undertones or colours that look peachy in some lights. I painted it 18 years ago though… maybe it’s time for a change. Thanks again.
Hi Christy! Carrington is lovely, but it does have a very vague green undertone, which happens to be a colour that some people want to avoid – they are often wanting a more clean neutral. But it IS a beauty!!
~Kylie
Your article has been not only an inspiration but a confirmation of what colors I plan to use for our new construction. With the design goal of modern mountain, we are considering Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze for trim, with SW Mindful Gray, Dorian Gray or something else along those lines as the primary wall color for the great room, halls, kitchen, dining, loft and entry. Do you have any suggestions for a modern non-white trim color? Thank you again for posting this insightful article.
Hi! A modern non-white…hmmm…I’m hesitant to go into that without seeing the other products in the home. But I can tell you I wouldn’t do Urbane Bronze, it will be too warm for the walls. Check out Gauntlet Gray as it will give you a CONSIDERABLY more modern look – and it makes total sense as it’s the dark version of the wall colours!!! YOu can also look at the more clean gray look of BM Kendall Charcoal which is PRETTY wicked!
~Kylie
We have nice 90’s oak trim (not thin), except it has ambered over the years. I do not love the orange tint, but I also am not a paint it all white gal. I have toyed with the idea of painting it darker since I have been told that staining it darker (which is my first choice) would not be an option. I’d have to rip off all of the trim and stain new trim the walnut color I’d like. Finding pictures of painted trim that is not white or black is tricky. Have you ever had anyone restrain their existing wood trim without a HUGE expense or can it be even be done?!? Or can we keep out baseboards stained and paint the trim?? Trying my best to not get rid of perfectly fine oak wood trim…except for my issue with it’s orange tone 🙁
Thank you for any thoughts, ideas etc!
Hi Lauren! You know, I have seen quite a few people have luck with Gel Stain as you don’t have to sand the trim right down. Other stains tend to penetrate more, which is why you need to strip the wood down, whereas Gel Stain can act more like a paint in that it can still show the grain, but it sits more on the surface. In Pinterest, look up ‘Gel Stain cabinets’ and you’ll see what I’m talking about. And yes, while I’d have to look at your photos, you ‘could’ consider wood baseboards and painted trim, but I would be more inclined to keep them the same…hope that helps!
~Kylie
Hello looking for advice for my older home it has original woodwork built ins and hardwood floors all which I describe as having a cherry or red undertone. Not orangey oak and not espresso brown…? I have tried diverse beige but that looked purple. I tried a taupe and at certain times of the day it has mauve undertones. Would like a gray that complements but not sure what to try next? Was thinking Dorian gray, mega griege but need help.
Thanks!!
Hi Tracy! When it comes to personal questions where I need to see the space, I refer to my e-design (it’s affordable and fun!). This way I can take into account the size of the space/exposures/furnishings and all of that other good stuff that can play a BIG part in colour choice! Off the top of my head, Dorian it sounds like Dorian could be a pretty complement, but that’s really just a guess… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Help please, I have a room with red/purple wood trim and wainscotting. I need to know how to update it without painting or restaining the wood. The floor is to be covered with broadloom – probably a grey fleck. I would like a light Benjamin Moore colour that cancels out the purple in the wood – it really looks like a stain gone wrong. I also want to paint the walls and ceiling all the same colour. I was going to attach a photo of the room so that you could see what I am dealing with but there is no means to do this. I can send a photo in a separate email if you tell me where to send it.
Thanks, Dorothy
Hi Dorothy! I actually have an E-design business for this exact purpose! I try to give as much complimentary info as I can online and if that doesn’t work, then that might be the next step! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
What light gray would look nice in a living room with dark wood trim? Agreeable gray?
My foyer that opens up to living room is Aloofgray gray.
Thanks!
Hi Grace! A lot depends on your exposure, flooring and furnishings, but i WILL say that Agreeable Gray is an awesome, flexible greige. It leans more to the gray side and will EVEN MORE if you have northern exposure, in which case some people can find it a touch too cool…
Hi! I have dark walnut floors and trim, beige carpet, and cream colored doors. Currently most of the rooms in our home are painted a dark beige and I am looking to modernize with a gray. Is there any you recommend? I was looking at sw anew gray. Thanks!
Hi Bethany! I do try to give as much helpful info on my blog, and if that doesn’t work, you might like to check out my E-design it is affordable and fun – this way I can look at photos of your space and spend some time with it! There’s more to consider, such as exposure, amount of natural light, furnishings, etc…and I don’t like to just guess! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Wall color to blend in or soften yellowy oak cabinets…..looking at greige with warm undertones….but to blend or soften not sure which tones……looking for more modern greige color.
Hi Mary, there is much more for me to consider when suggesting a colour – exposure, flooring, exposure, backsplash, etc… otherwise I’m 100% guessing. I do try to give as much free info as I can on my blog posts and if that doesn’t work, it might be time for a closer look via my Edesign which is affordable and fun! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Hello Kylie!
I had bookmarked one of your posts several months ago, and checking it today it seems to have changed. Yikes ! I am panicking !! It is a picture of entry way and walls appeared George, trim off-white and dark wood accents to include a dark exterior door and dark trimmed portal window. I thought it was posted in “what potassium goes with dark trim?” But when I went there today, it’s not there! I loved this look and wondered if you remember it or know how I could find again? Thanks Soo much, I love your ideas and style. Keep up the good work!
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn, i know JUST the George you’re speaking of 😉 Seriously though. I’ve been going through my site and deleted HUNDREDS of photos that aren’t mine. Generally, a lot of us refer to other designers with a link to their sites when we want to use a photo, but I’m trying to be more careful and use only images that are mine from my Edesign, so unfortunately, it’s been off-loaded!
Thanks Kylie for your follow up! I am going to enlist your help via with color scheme for my 1925 craftsman house. Working on filling out the info and need to decide what package to get!
See you soon!!!
Sweet! I just LOOOOVE the older homes- looking forward to it!
I just want to thank you for all of your articles. I was looking for a white for my northern exposure dining room that has dark wood trim (my house is an old Victorian). I read through a bunch of your posts including how to best choose white. I ended up going with SW West Highland White. It came out so beautifully. Thanks again for all of your tips and advice!
Allison
Well, thank you, Allison! With all of the questions I get, it is SO nice to get a note like this – thank YOU!