35 reasons to paint your woodwork

and no, they aren’t all white!

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painted woodwork green living room
Photography by COLORHOUSE-PAINT.MYSHOPIFY.COM

by Liz Thompson

Feel painting woodwork is a mortal sin? Wait until you see these stunning examples. Some mad trim inspo that’ll set you running to the paint store, pronto.

painted woodwork white kitchen
Photography by MINOSADESIGN.COM

current mood

Glossy white woodwork creates a sleek look that complements modern interiors. Perfect paired with crystal and marble.

painted woodwork white staircase
Photography by ELLEDECOR.COM

empty canvas

Use white woodwork to display your artwork and special artifacts. Brightly colored objects and fun mementos are the focus, walls and trim blend into the scene.

painted woodwork gray entryway
Photography by APARTMENT THERAPY

dark side of the room

Of course, trim doesn’t have to be white. Go to the dark side and add dimension to your interiors. In this look the door and shiplap ceiling are done in the same tone.

painted woodwork gray dining room
Photography by REMODELISTA

beam us up

Painted door frames, paneling, and even built-ins are a given. Add the element of surprise by painting underside of ceiling beams.

Blue and Brown Bedroom
Photography by JOY SOHN

old meets new

A streamlined look, like this narrow trim painted a soft grey, creates traditional interest with contemporary feel. A nice background for mixing antiques with modern elements.

painted woodwork white house
Photography by JOYTRIBOUT.COM

attention grabber

Make a statement with dark trim against white or cream walls. It’s the perfect way to make beautiful woodwork stand out and goes well with a neutral color scheme.

White Living room
Photography by ERIK OLSSON

om out

Creamy white trim delivers on peace and serenity. Black and neutral pieces stick with the zen theme.

painted woodwork wood floor
Photography by DECORATORSNOTEBOOK.CO.UK

updated farmhouse

For a charming bucolic feel, paint trim in a dark neutral that goes well with wicker, woods, and metals. This country chic look has mad city style.

painted woodwork white hallway
Photography by MODERNCOUNTRYSTYLE.BLOGSPOT.COM

walk this way

Add interest, and give a small hallway depth and dimension with a dark grey on white. This old world vibe is polished and classic at the same time.

painted woodwork brown wood floor
Photography by SFGIRLBYBAY.COM

a shot of color

Black, grey, and white are always safe bets for painted trim. Love color? Go for it! This pale blue is unexpected and teams nicely with medium wood tones.

painted woodwork Bronze and Pink and Purple and White Entryway
Photography by BRITTANY AMBRIDGE

do your thing

Ok. This is intense and maybe a wee bit over the top. But hey, some of us roll that way.

Gray Dining room
Photography by MICHAEL LUCAS

artistic side

Another monochrome stunner. This grey on grey look is at once vintage and totally of the moment. Inspirational, to say the least.

painted woodwork gray and black kitchen
Photography by DUSTJACKET-ATTIC.COM

triple up

Don’t feel you have to stick with all one trim color. White walls, grey cabinets, and black window trim makes for a stunning combo.

Green Living room
Photography by FARROW & BALL

fade to grey

The just-right white adds depth. Look how this wall color takes on a deeper tone paired up with light trim. All the better to play up your bright décor.

painted woodwork white staircase
Photography by LONNY.COM

stair appeal

Play up a pretty staircase with something other than white or black. A warm grey is clean and interesting.

Black and Green Living room
Photography by MICHAEL LUCAS

on display

A super dark, almost-black navy makes walls and trim seem to fade away. Use this look to showcase colorful artwork, furniture, and a delicious rug.

painted woodwork black and white floors
Photography by ELLEDECORATION.SE

go big

Let larger than life details speak, while white frames the scene. Oversized items, glimmering gold, bold patterns…don’t hold back.

Green and Silver Kitchen
Photography by BROOKE HOLM

mighty minimalism

Many minimalist homes don’t have a lot of woodwork. You can still get in on the painted trim scene by adding a hot splash of color to kitchen cabinets. Upper, lower, or both. Works in bathrooms and offices too.

painted woodwork white bedroom
Photography by STYLE ME PRETTY

not so plain jane

Who says white is plain? An all white bedroom is so elegant. Paint wainscoting, trim, and walls in the same white. A hint of black or gold seals the deal.

Blue Office
Photography by NINA CHOI

play favorites

Have a favorite color? Choose a room that is all yours and paint walls, woodwork, even bookshelves the same hue. Keep furniture and décor within the same color family to keep the look cohesive.

painted woodwork blue office
Photography by MILKMAGAZINE.NET

moody blues

A soft tone, like this powdery blue, gives off a blast of color while still managing to be sophisticated. Muted tones in a variety of hues co-mingle nicely.

Photography by Katrín Björk

little details

Fortunate enough to have gorgeously intricate woodwork? Hire a pro to paint it right and show that stuff off.

painted woodwork black and white entryway
Photography by ONEKINGSLANE.COM

black and white, only better

A black and white color scheme doesn’t exactly scream funky, right? Wrong! To jazz up your BW space, paint below the chair rail black, above in white. Doors get a half and half look too.

Photography by MIKKEL VANG

go deep

Deep purple is mysterious and romantic. How fabulous is this wood paneling in eggplant? Risky but refined.

painted woodwork black and white dining room
Photography by COCOKELLEY.COM

frame up

Amazing how light and airy dark woodwork can make a space. Moldings stay white while window frames get a coat of

black paint

. Navy, charcoal, or deep green would work as well here.

Green and Wood Entryway
Photography by LUKE EDWARD HALL

perfect pair

Painted trim is a great way to complement wall paper. This grey-white hue grounds the look and keeps walls from becoming too busy.

painted woodwork navy bedroom
Photography by POLYVORE.COM

color cocoon

Slate blue creates a cozy backdrop for patterns and fresh hues. Balance it out by choosing lighter colors for the rest of your scheme.

Photography by JACK COBLE

blush or bashful

Ballet slipper pink paired with a warm, neutral greige? Too cute!

painted woodwork black and white living room
Photography by STELLER.CO

fine line

Edgy, dramatic, yet oh so simple. Glossy black on matte white walls is a humble thing of beauty.

Photography by Francois Dischinger

sweet surprise

Go for a bit of the unexpected. Pale yellow trim against lavender walls? Absolutely dreamy.

painted woodwork green couch in living room
Photography by THEWHITEBUFFALOSTYLINGCO.COM

icy inspiration

All white on trim and walls isn’t boring. It means you can go kind of crazy with furniture and artwork. Emerald green, peacock blue, fuchsia…the choice is yours.

blend in

Painting trim and walls in the same matte hue is a minimalist take on saturated color. Sparse furniture and sleek lines let the floor do the talking in this fun scene.

painted woodwork black and white dining room
Photography by LAURENLIESS.COM

stand out style

Make pretty woodwork stand out in an understated way by using a slightly darker shade than walls.

painted woodwork white entryway
Photography by AMBERINTERIORDESIGN.COM

bright is right

Nothing makes a room pop like brilliant white on white. Use this look to update an older interior, bring a dark space to life, or highlight bold design elements.

Photography by ANGELA MOORE

color block

For a super fun look, paint each room a different color with matching trim. Leave just door jams white for contrast.