Choosing Paint Colors to Pair with Dark Wood Trim

The first thing I fell in love with in our home was the original dark wood trim. Do you have wood trim and hate it? Let’s discuss choosing paint colors to pair with dark wood trim.

Have you just moved into an older home with original dark woodwork? Are you thinking of painting it white? Once you paint the wood trim, it’s really hard to go back. Before you paint your trim, I’d love you to read this post. The right paint colors for your walls can make all the difference.

Our home was built in 1927 and the dark wood trim is original to the home. The home owner, who was a builder, sourced all the wood from Maine. This is one of the charming details of our home – beautiful wood doors, a heavy mantel, columns that lead into the dining room, extra wide skirting board, picture rail (we added this feature back into many of the rooms), beautiful built-ins, and lovely old wood doors.

Since moving in 7 and a half years ago, we’ve made design decisions to highlight the warm wood detailing – updating the fireplace, using white slipcovered furniture, and painting the walls. Focusing on just the right paint colors really helped. When we moved in the wall colors were warm but dark colors – the hall was green, the living room and dining room a dingy beige, the kids rooms – yellow and pink. The colors didn’t really highlight the wood.

Why I love Dark Wood Trim

• It gives a very classic look.
• Adds warmth and character to a home.
• When paired with light wall colors it adds drama.

Paint is the easiest and most affordable way to transform any room. So if you hate your dark wood trim, it might actually be the wall color that is competing with it for your eye’s attention.

Making Dark Wood Trim a Feature Using Wall Paint Colors

• The key to selecting paint colors to pair with dark wood trim is the following: go really light and bright or really dark and moody.
• Do not pick paint colors with lots of yellow or orange under tones as it will make the trim look dirty and dingy. Equally muddy colors will do the same thing.
• Stick to clean whites or creamy whites.
• If you select a cool paint colors it might conflict with your warm woodwork. I had this issue with Revere Pewter. I never really loved it in our home with the wood trim despite loving it in homes online with white wood trim.
• Dark mid-range paint colors in jewel tones look stunning with dark wood trim. It brings out the warmth of the wood.

This post might feel a bit long because I want to pack EVERYTHING I’ve learned over nearly an 8 year period. I will also be showing you what most of the colors look like in rooms with wood trim. All the paint colors mentioned are by Benjamin Moore but this isn’t a sponsored post.

Please Note: If you don’t have dark wood trim, these colors also pair beautifully with white trim.

My Favorite Neutral Paint Colors with Dark Wood Trim

Mascarpone AF-20

This use-anywhere shade of off-white taps a soft yellow undertone to achieve the versatility and creamy richness of its namesake cheese.”

– Benjamin Moore

This creamy white is versatile. We’ve used it in our living room and dining room, which opens into each other through ornate wood columns. Our living room is north facing and doesn’t receive much sunlight while our dining room is south facing and very sunny.

Muslin OC-12

“This color is part of the Off-White Color collection. Inherently sophisticated and endlessly versatile, the Off-White collection offers subtle nuances of whites that suit tranquil, serene environments…”

Benjamin Moore

This is named after a cotton nubby fabric with warm undertones. I remember using muslin when draping patterns at college in the theatre department. It’s a wonderful color when you’re looking for something neutral and restful.

We’ve used this color in our front hall and our upstairs hallway. It is calming and welcoming.

White Dove OC-17

“Unerring style defines this classic, softly shaded white. Light and luminous, it is a favorite choice for moldings and trim.”

Benjamin Moore

This is such a pretty shade and would look wonderful with wood trim. Our kitchen cabinets are actually painted this color but wanted to include it because it’s such a pretty and soft white and pairs beautifully with brass hardware.

Chantilly Lace OC-65

“As delicate and refined as the lace it was named after, this crisp, clean white evokes images of pure silk, soft linen and simpler times.”

Benjamin Moore

I used this in my basement studio, but it would look beautiful with dark wood trim. I was told that this is the whitest of the Benjamin Moore whites.

Simply White OC-117

“Fresh as the first snowfall, this clean, crisp, multi-purpose white is a perennial favorite for trim, ceilings, and walls.”

Benjamin Moore

I love this color soooooo much that I’ve actually used in three separate rooms: our sunroom (pictured above), the boys’ playroom, and our now bedroom. It is a wonderful white that looks good in any lighting conditions and pairs so well with any room decor.

It’s so versatile. I recommend this color to many clients and also found out that Serena & Lily uses it in their showrooms because it pairs so well with their wallpapers and furnishings. I’m actually planning on repainting part of John’s room this color.

You can see the playroom with this color:

Another view point:

The kids’ shared bedroom was also painted in this color (it’s a north facing room) so really helped brighten the space.

As you know, this has now become our bedroom and we’re currently working on the space. You can see the plans here and new lighting here.

Super White PM-1

“Also known as Super White OC-152. A brilliant, almost sparkling white, this clean shade suggests clarity and simplicity.”

Benjamin Moore

I love this white. It’s clean and classic. I often use it on trim and built-ins. The shelves and built in radiator cover in the playroom are painted in this hue.

Well, those are some of my favorite neutrals. Let’s now talk about moody and bold!

My Favorite Bold Paint Colors with Dark Wood Trim

Hidden Sapphire CSP-690

“Many say the Duchess’s lost sapphire was ground down to create priceless pigments sold to renowned painters.”

Benjamin Moore

This color is available exclusively in the Aura range. We just used it in our son’s bedroom and it makes his room feel cozy and rich.

It’s the prettiest sapphire blue color. The wood trim in here is slightly lighter than the rest of our home but it pairs beautifully.

Black Beauty 2128-10

“This color is part of Color Preview. A collection of bold, saturated colors that brings spaces to life for those looking to illuminate their world with pure, extraordinary color.”

Benjamin Moore

This color is a soft black. It is great for a family room where you want to “hide” the TV. A statement wall to hang black and white prints or a cozy bedroom. I actually used this color in Kjeld Mahoney’s Gallery on an accent wall:

Image Via Kjeld Mahoney Photography

Sherwood Forest 2048-10

“Extraordinarily enchanting, this deepest green taps a heavy dose of black to achieve its magical, almost medieval quality. A great grounding color, it is rich and memorable.”

Benjamin Moore

This color is magical. I used it in a client’s home in their game room. It looked stunning with their dark wood trim and pool table.

Beau Green 2054-20

“This color is part of Color Preview. A collection of bold, saturated colors that brings spaces to life for those looking to illuminate their world with pure, extraordinary color.”

Benjamin Moore

This is a jewel box color to me! I could see it with heavy wood paneling in a library or office.

Gentleman’s Gray 2062-20

“Formal and masculine, this blackened blue leans toward classic navy, suggesting beautifully tailored suits and traditional pea coats.”

Benjamin Moore

This is a wonderful and very masculine color. I can see it on paneling, shiplap hung horizontal or vertical, and picture it with heavy library tables. My friend used this in his antique shop and it was exquisite with all the old pieces.

Marine Blue 2059-10

“A deep, blackened navy, this regal maritime-inspired shade captures the timelessness of naval uniforms and classic pea coats.”

Benjamin Moore

What a classic navy! I could see this in any room for a timeless appeal.

Should You go Neutral or Bold in your Room?

This is a very personal question. Here are some guidelines I use to choose what type of color to use:

Neutral and Light Colors

• Make rooms feel larger and brighter
• They can make a space feel calm and restful
• If you have a lot going on in a room with color on furniture and rugs a neutral wall color might be best.
• Airy
• Light reflecting

In our home and client’s homes I use neutral and whites when I’m working in larger open areas, big rooms, using wallpaper on an accent wall. I use neutrals when I want a space to be calm and quiet or when I want to bounce light. For example our bedroom, is very dark but the light color of Simply White brings light.

Bold and Dark Colors

• Contract a space making it feel smaller
• They can make a space feel cozy and warm
• If you’re using lots of whites and have light colored floors and dark room can feel clean and crisp.
• Adds depth and drama

I LOVE having a room that is ultra cozy. Think an office, a small bedroom, a little bathroom. Bold, dark colors look great in these instances. I think it all comes down to how you want to feel in your room. If you want to feel cozy and have a room that feels like a hug then go bold.

This was my husband’s old office:

You can also do one accent wall in a bold color and paint the rest light.

I hope this post was helpful in finding new wall colors to go with your dark wood trim. Whether you choose neutral or bold I think your rooms will come out great. Please share your spaces with me! I can’t wait to see how they come out. If you have more questions please reach out. Also, if you need design help I offer eDesign and in home design services.