{"id":24045,"date":"2021-05-28T06:37:06","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T13:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=24045"},"modified":"2026-04-14T02:17:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T09:17:12","slug":"painting-your-trim-white","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/painting-your-trim-white\/","title":{"rendered":"Dark Wood Be Gone! Painting Your Trim White, Step By Step"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re on a tight budget but seek to modernize your home with some elbow grease and DIY prowess, painting your trim white could be a great project to tackle. For approximately $200-$600<\/a> in supply costs and a weekend\u2019s worth of work, white paint will instantly transform the dark trim common throughout homes built in the \u201970s and \u201980s<\/a> and brighten each room by reflecting natural and artificial light<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen an increase in homes with white trim since around 2015,” shares Hao Dang<\/a>, a top real estate agent in the Seattle area. “Homeowners are painting all of their woodwork white to brighten their rooms, including millwork, doors, kitchen cabinets, chair rails, window and door trims, and baseboards.”<\/p>\n

However, painting your trim requires a higher skill level than painting your walls, as you\u2019ll need to prep and sand the trim before you apply the fresh color. To help you avoid mistakes while saving money on labor costs, we\u2019ve put together this step-by-step guide for painting your trim white. Read on for a handy supplies list, color recommendations, and clear instructions for each part of the process.<\/p>\n

\"Paint<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Clay Banks \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Make a plan before you paint<\/h2>\n

Trim dates as far back as the Renaissance with variations found in Italian, French, English, Hispanic, and American architecture. Historically, trim has been from carved wood or molded plaster. There\u2019s no precise date as to when painting trim white came into fashion; however, its origins trace back to the advent of open-concept contemporary homes<\/a> and minimalism in interior design. Before you go all-out with the white paint, make sure the style will align with other factors such as the color of your walls and the age of your house.<\/p>\n

Assess your wall color and contrast<\/h3>\n

White trim on white or light walls will blend together as one. If you\u2019re going for function and neutrality rather than decoration, this white-on-light look could work. But if you\u2019d like a bit more contrast against white or cream-colored walls, explore the dark trim trend<\/a> which uses blue or teal color hues.<\/p>\n

White trim also pops nicely against darker hues like a steely gray. The contrast highlights both the architecture of the space as well as the contours of carved trim like crown molding. But white trim doesn\u2019t work with every wall color. For instance, a beautifully pale, dusty rose takes on a more immature baby pink look when set off by white trim.<\/p>\n

Virtually paint your rooms first<\/h3>\n

When you\u2019re undecided about whether white trim will look right in your room, turn to an online color visualizer. Many paint companies and home improvement stores have developed these tools to allow customers to see how different hues look when paired in a room. Some even allow you to upload photos of your own spaces<\/a> to try out different paint samples. Here are a few to try from well-known paint brands:<\/p>\n