14 Trim Paint Ideas: Best Colors & Inspiration for Your Interior

Taupe entryway with neutral-painted trim and wainscoting, wooden door, and upholstered beige chair.

Trim color can be used to elicit eye-catching designs or unify a space. It can stand as the hero or play the perfect supporting role.

From white-painted trim that offers a crisp, classic look to saturated colors that make trim pop, the design power of painted trim should never be overlooked. Whether you want to play it safe or be adventurous, we’ve got the tips and tricks to inspire and inform.

Go-To White Trim Paint Colors

Love the look of classic white trim?

“Our top tip for choosing white trim paint is to align with the same undertone as your wall,” says Arianna Cesa, Benjamin Moore color and design expert. “For example, if you have blue walls, look to white paint colors that have a blue undertone to create a cohesive look.”

On your quest for the best white paint for interior doors and trim, consider:

For goes-with-anything soft white trim:
A versatile classic, White Dove OC-17 is a homeowner favorite for trim because of its subtle touch of warmth.

For trim next to cooler wall colors:
White Heron OC-57 and Decorator’s White OC-149 are favorite trim paint pairings for walls with cool undertones—think greens, blues, violets, and cool grays.

For trim next to warmer wall colors:
Cloud White OC-130 or Simply White OC-117 are both great choices for trim next to warmer wall colors-think reds, oranges, yellows, beiges, and tans.

For bright, clean, white trim:
Chantilly Lace OC-65 or Super White OC-152 top our experts’ list for a super crisp white paint color.

An all-white painted bathroom with two white-trimmed windows over a clawfoot tub and white-painted doors and ceiling.

All White Trim: A Classic Look

If a classic, timeless look is what you are after, then an all-white painted room is a smart choice.

In this bathroom, the walls, trim, ceiling and doors are all painted in White Heron OC-57. The finish of paint impacts the design look of any painted space. In this bathroom, both satin and flat sheens add dimension and contrast.

Another factor with any color—especially white—is lighting. Using one white paint color for an entire space may keep color combinations simple, however lighting still needs to be considered. Turn to the colors by direction section for expert tips on how to navigate natural light and its impact on color choice. And always make sure to audition any color—including white—with a color sample.

An all-white-painted kitchen with white cabinets, a butcher block-topped kitchen island, and pendant lighting.

Keep it Simple: Kitchen Cabinets & Trim

Kitchen cabinets, kitchen islands, wall color, ceiling, trim: there is a lot going on in the average kitchen!

“When it comes to choosing trim colors for a kitchen, we always recommend homeowners keep it simple and look to the colors already in the space,” says Arianna. “Establish what the focal point of your kitchen is, whether it’s the kitchen island, cabinets, tile or a backsplash, and use that as your color guide.”

If you want the paint color of your cabinets to stand out, for example, paint the window, floor and door trim the same color as walls and/or ceiling. This approach helps spotlight your kitchen cabinets.

All-white painted kitchens are immensely popular. Here, Cloud Nine OC-119 on the trim, ceiling and cabinets pairs effortlessly with the slightly softer Seashell OC-120 on the walls. Both from the Off White Collection, this pairing produces a refreshing, unified end result.

A dining room with window trim paint in light blue and navy, a light blue ceiling, white walls, spindle back chairs, and dining room table.

Make a Statement with Colorful Window Trim

If you want your trim to pop, use a bolder trim color paired against neutral walls—think off-whites, greiges, and taupes.

In this dining room, two different paint colors help accentuate statement-making oversized windows: Hale Navy HC-154 on the window mullions, and Smoke 2122-40 on the trim.

Many homeowners use the same color on trim and ceiling for a cohesive look, usually opting for lighter hues. We love sky-evoking blues like Ocean Air 2123-50, Woodlawn Blue HC-147, and Blue Heather 1620 as well as light greens like Soft Fern 2144-40, Tea Light 471, and Antique Jade 465.

Move Beyond White for Trim

Interior trim ideas come in all colors. Consider these ideas:

Warm, welcoming, and inviting:
Layer warm neutrals to keep any space soft and subtle.

Proposed pairing, left to right:
White Down OC-131 on wall, and Grant Beige HC-83 on trim.

Refreshing and calming:
Take advantage of the relaxing qualities inherent in dusty blues and modern cool grays.

Proposed pairing, left to right:
Horizon OC-53 on wall, and Van Courtland Blue HC-145 on trim.

Modern, high contrast:
Black trim against white walls is hugely popular both on interiors and exteriors.

Proposed pairing, left to right:
Atrium White OC-145 on wall, and Onyx 2133-10 on trim.

Monochromatic and cool:
Paint trim a few shades darker than the wall using the same color family for a slick look.

Proposed pairing, left to right:
Crystalline AF-485 on wall, and Cushing Green HC-125 on trim.

A Hale Navy-painted hallway with white-trimmed windows, wooden sideboard, and French doors.

Pair White Trim with Bold Colored Walls

Bright, crisp, white trim offers a clean, beautiful frame for walls with deeply saturated colors. White painted trim also lets statement-making paint color be the star of the show.

In addition to its supporting role for bold colors, white painted baseboards, crown moldings and window trim highlight intricate molding and millwork.

Here, homeowner favorite Old Navy 2063-10 provides elegant contrast against Simply White OC-117, a former Benjamin Moore Color of the Year beloved for its subtle wink of warmth.

An open black-painted door leads to a hallway in neutral hues.

Considering Classic Crown Molding

Intricate crown moldings deserve to be a focal point of any room.

For these iconic architectural features, consider these approaches:

Use the same white paint color on crown moldings as on ceiling and trim: This is by far the most popular homeowner approach, providing an undeniably classic, uniform look.
Use the same paint color on walls and crown molding: Try this for more of a modern, monochromatic look—but keep in mind that this approach may hide the details of your crown molding.
Distinctive accent color: When you choose a paint color specifically for crown moldings, you’ll draw attention to its detail, highlighting its elegance and visual appeal.

Here, walls in dark gray Wrought Iron 2124-10 stand out against White Opulence OC-69-painted crown moldings and trim. The door, painted in rich Black 2132-10, adds even more drama and contrast.

An all-blue-painted pantry with blue shelving, blue door, a window, and tile floors.

A Look We Love: Paint Walls and Trim the Same Color

Painting the walls and trim the same color can help make smaller spaces feel larger.

This monochromatic approach blurs the edges of the room and tricks the eye, a great choice for pantries, entryways, bathrooms and smaller bedrooms.

“When using one color for the walls and trim, we love painting interior doors the same color as well for a completely un-interrupted look,” says Arianna. “When using bolder hues, it allows you to be more immersed in the color.”

The mighty impact of this one-color approach is beautifully reflected in this pantry, entirely painted in Tranquil Blue 2051-50.

Types of Trim Molding

There are many different types of trim. Here’s a quick primer on trim-related terms.

Baseboards/floor trim — trim installed at the bottom of the walls

Crown molding/ceiling trim — trim installed at the top of the walls

Window mullion — A mullion is physically part of a window and forms a division between units of a window or screen. While not “officially” trim, homeowners often paint mullions in either white or black paint.

Window casings/window trim and door casings/door trim — trim installed around openings such as doors and walls

Wall trim — These types of trim are not at the top, bottom, or openings of walls, but rather applied directly to walls for aesthetic design; these include chair rails and picture rails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the best paint for interior doors and trim?

A. Any premium acrylic interior paint by Benjamin Moore works beautifully on interior trim.

Regal Select Interior is a premium line of paint trusted for 60+ years to deliver quality results that withstand the test of time—so it is a great choice for the trim throughout your home. You can also consider AURA Interior paint for rich, unparalleled color. ADVANCE is another great choice for its furniture-like finish on trim, doors and cabinetry.

As for choosing the best sheen for interior trim, popular choices include satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss for their added durability.

Q. What is Crown Molding?

A. A crown molding is a type decorative trim found at the top of an interior wall located at the intersection of the wall and ceiling. A type of interior cornice, a crown molding adds design interest and dimension to any room.

Q. Should I paint trim and ceiling the same color?

A. Many homeowners like the streamlined, cohesive look (and ease!) of matching the paint color of trim and moldings to their ceiling color. That said, choosing paint color is always highly personal—there are many diverse color combinations to consider for trim, moldings and ceilings, including those highlighted on our Interior Trim Ideas & Inspiration article!