Wall trim is an important part of any home decor. It should elevate the look of the room and bring dimension, character and of course, complement the main wall color. So, if you’re trying to decide what color trim does with gray walls, we’ve already found the best color combinations from which to choose.
Most shades of gray will go well with the classics, white, blue, and black. Neutrals like beige, cream, or butter will also complement a medium to a darker shade of gray. Bold colors like orange and lime on the other hand are one way to bring a modern edge to the room while still maintaining a classy look.
If you have gray walls in your home, well you’re in luck because it’s pretty much a perfect neutral color that can work well with a variety of wall trim. Stay with us to see how these color combinations can look in your home’s interior.
1. Light Gray and White
White and gray are always a winning combination. This shade of gray particularly where the color is just flat, with no undertones, makes it a great canvas for how you’d want to dress up your space. Like in the picture above, a pop of color on the rugs and flowers and you’re all set.
2. Dark Gray and White
Combining dark and light would always create a perfect balance. The white trim prevents the space from being too dank but instead brought out the charm of having dark walls, making the space look modern and in vogue.
Interesting patterns on furniture or home decor also add a touch of whimsy to the monochromatic look.
This Moroccan-inspired throw pillow covers should do the trick. Check it out on Amazon.
3. Blues and Grays
The colors blue and gray somehow create a myriad of looks depending on what shades you’d use. The navy blue with light gray like the photo above creates a posh and classic feel. You can use a lighter shade of blue to brighten up the room and go for a coastal vibe.
4. Gray and Neutrals
Gray matched with other neutral colors will like beige or cream is always a good choice. In using both neutral colors as wall paint and trim, it’s important to check if they have matching undertones.
This particular shade of gray is more of a greige (gray and beige), making it match perfectly with the cream moldings on the ceiling and the window trims.
5. Go Bold
Orange, lime, or yellow are some of the loud colors that mix well with gray. This kitchen paint of gray with beige undertones trimmed with tangerine keeps the space cozy and works well to draw attention to the cozy breakfast nook.
Scatter orange accessories leading to the area to create a more cohesive look.
This set of tangerine jars would look great on your kitchen. Head on over to Amazon to take a look.
Which Shade of Gray To Use
Gray has a plethora of shades to choose from and though it’s hard to tell apart it will help you decide which shade of gray to use on a particular room and the palette that will go with it.
Picking the correct temperature of gray -cool or warm- for the space can easily be determined by the amount of sunlight the room will be getting.
- North: if the room is facing north it will probably be better for you to use gray as an accent color because this room has the coolest temperature or will have a bluish hue, it might be too dark if gray will be on the main wall. If you do go ahead with gray, make sure to go for yellow-based gray or greige.
- South: southern-facing rooms are a breeze to decorate, both warm and cool gray will work well with it because it receives a lot of light.
- West: rooms located in the western part of the house receive cooler hues of sunlight, it will be better to use gray with beige or yellow notes to emphasize the light.
- East: eastern rooms can use grays with a few green undertones so that they’ll blend well with the light that will be coming into the room.
What Color Goes With Gray Walls?
Blush Pink and Gray
This color palette would look great in a home office, the dark gray perfectly counterbalances the feminine blush pink. The gray has a greenish tinge to it that matches the pink hue of the chairs.
Copper and Teal
This gray with greenish hue is a perfect color to match with your hardwood floors and would make a lovely backdrop for a bookshelf or a painting.
Blues and Yellows
This muted shade of grey works perfectly with an equally soft shade of yellow and blue. This color combination is perfect for a sunny living room or kitchen.
What Is An Accent Color For Gray?
Since gray is an adaptable neutral color here’s a quick tip on how to pick a perfect accent color to match the shade of gray you’re working with. It’s always a good thing to remember to use an accent color that is complementary to your undertone.
If your gray paint has a bluish or greenish undertone, use warm colors as an accent such as orange, yellow, or magenta. The opposite would apply if you have warm undertones like red, orange, and yellow, your accent color should be bright green, blue or purple.
Should Trim Have The Same Color As The Wall?
Yes, contrary to popular belief wall trim does not have to be a different color at all. Great paint color will make the room seem more spacious, add drama to the space, and will give continuity to the design of the room.
It’s also a surefire way to make anything you want to highlight stand out -like a painting or exposed wooden beams. At the same time hide any flaws that you might not want to draw attention to using the same color for the trim.
Does Window Trim Have To Match Baseboards?
Another styling myth as well, probably a misunderstood one. What you need to do is make sure the design of the whole area is cohesive, ergo a match. It’s certainly easy to use one color all over the space, especially if it’s that perfect shade of eggshell, but you can go ahead and be adventurous too.
Should Baseboards Be Darker or Lighter Than The Walls?
There is no hard-fast rule about this one since it will all just depend on the room or the space that you’ll be decorating. The general rule of thumb is that you use dark colors if you want to bring depth or dimension to the room and then use light colors for baseboards if you already have a dark wall.
If you like a more traditional look, painting your trim and baseboards white is always a great choice. But if you’re doing a small make-over, you can achieve a great effect just by repainting your baseboards.
Should I Paint The Walls or The Trim First?
It’s always a good idea to paint the trim first, followed by the ceiling then the wall. The logic behind this is this, it’s easier to tape off the wall trim to protect it while your painting the walls and ceilings than to do it the other way around.
Quick Recap
You can pretty much color your room any way you want it, you just have to remember to keep everything balanced and make sure the colors work well together. It’s always a good idea to swatch the paint first and see what the shade will be once it dries.
Cooler undertones go well with warm accent colors and vice versa. White will always be a classic wall trim color and don’t be afraid to stick to one color as well.
For more ideas on what interesting color palettes to use, head on to our post: “11 Black And White Living Room Ideas With An Accent Color” and “11 Modern Warm Living Room Color Schemes.”