The Great Trim Debate!

Just recently, I was asked how to determine what finish/tone and/or colour to be used for wall trim, chair rails or crown moulding.

Here’s a foolproof, can’t-go-wrong formula: Flat or eggshell finish for walls and semi-gloss for baseboards, window and door casings, doors and moulding. Flat paint doesn’t reflect light and is best for hiding bumps and cracks on the wall, while semi-gloss paint stands up to traffic, is easy to clean and gives millwork dimension and sheen.

Having said that, some older homes have uased an older fancier and possibly a solid wood moulding whose millwork certainly deserves to be recogzized. Yes, there are still some beautifully crafted wood mouldings and trims. It is wonderful to see this craft still alive and well.

Regarding tones and colours, I took a page from houzz.com, and I suggest going with the following guidelines;

Choose white if:

You want to highlight the subtle undertone of neutral walls

You want to break up bold walls with a breath of fresh air

You have simple mouldings you don’t want to highlight

You want to leave all the attention on dramatic furnishings

You aren’t sure which other color to pick. It’s hard to go wrong with white trim!

Choose neutral if:

You love a transitional look (one that balances traditional and modern elements)

You want an authentic heritage feel in an older home

You want to highlight doors or windows for an architectural look without touching fresh white walls

Choose a bold color if:

You want to add a new hue without going all-in on the walls

You want a quirky, eclectic or unique look

You have colorful cabinets in a kitchen and want to tie the room together

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Mary-Jean (MJ) Jacobson loves to talk real estate! She is passionate about helping clients increase the value of the assets. She is a Professional Property Manager, Strata Manager, Real Estate Sales Agent and Licensed Managing Broker. She writes a series of articles blogs and whitepapers about the real estate and property management industry at ASK MJ