Trim paint plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall appearance of your home’s interior. It highlights the architectural details, such as baseboards, door and window frames, crown moulding, and chair rails, adding depth and character to your space. In this blog, we’ll guide you through choosing and applying the perfect trim paint to give your home a polished and professional look.
What is Trim Paint?
Trim paint is a type of paint specifically designed for painting the trim and moulding of a room. It is typically more durable and has a higher sheen than wall paint, as trim is more prone to wear and tears, such as scuffs and scratches. It is available in various colours and finishes, allowing you to choose the perfect complement for your walls and overall design aesthetic.
Do you have a difficult time picking your paint colour? Trim is any strip of wood, aluminum or other materials on a surface to provide texture and depth. Many people like to decorate trim, especially in their homes. Many paint colours are on the market, but let’s find the top choices!
Choosing the Right Trim Paint
When selecting paint for your trim, there are several factors to consider:
1. Sheen
Trim paint is available in various sheens, including flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Higher sheen paints are more durable and easier to clean, making them ideal for trim. Satin and semi-gloss finishes are the most popular choices for trim paint, as they provide a subtle shine that highlights architectural details without being overly reflective.
2. Colour
While white is the most common colour for trim paint, you can choose various colours to suit your design preferences. Some popular options include:
- White: A classic choice that creates a clean, crisp look and works well with virtually any wall colour.
- Off-white: A softer alternative to pure white that adds warmth and depth to a room.
- Gray: A versatile option that can create a contemporary or traditional look, depending on the shade and wall colour.
- Bold colours: For a more daring and dramatic effect, consider using a bold colour such as black, navy, or a rich jewel tone.
When selecting a colour, consider the overall colour scheme of your room and the desired effect. Light-coloured trim can create a sense of openness and space, while dark trim can add contrast and drama.
3. Type of paint
Trim paint is available in water-based (latex) and oil-based (alkyd) formulations. Water-based paints are easier to clean up, dry faster, and have lower VOC levels. However, oil-based paints are more durable and have a smoother finish, making them the best paint for trim and baseboards. Consider the specific needs of your project and your personal preferences when choosing between water-based and oil-based.
What is Trim Paint?
Once you’ve selected the perfect trim paint, follow these tips for a professional-looking finish:
1. Prepare the surface
Before painting, ensure the trim is clean and free of dust, dirt, and grease. Repair any holes, cracks, or imperfections with wood filler, and sand the surface smoothly. If you paint over a dark or stained trim, you may need to apply a primer to ensure proper adhesion and coverage.
2. Use the right tools
Invest in high-quality brushes and rollers designed for trim work. A 2-inch angled brush is ideal for most trim painting tasks, allowing for greater precision and control. A small foam roller can provide a smooth, even finish for larger areas, such as baseboards.
3. Apply painter’s tape
To achieve clean, crisp lines, use painter’s tape to protect the adjacent surfaces, such as walls and floors. Be sure to press the tape firmly to prevent paint from seeping underneath.
4. Paint in the correct order
When painting a room, it is best to paint the trim before moving on to the walls and ceiling. This allows for more effortless touch-ups and a more polished result.
5. Apply multiple coats
For the best coverage and durability, apply at least two coats of trim paint, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.
Other Trim Painting Hacks and Tips
Interior Trim Paint
The main trend for 2023, when it comes to the interior, has been modern and sleek. Many homeowners opted to use white trim paint. For example, this could be Decorator’s White from Benjamin Moore or Oxford White.
These white tones “scream” modernity and sophistication. They are also the top choices for white trims, but not too stark. For a warmer tone of white, you can purchase Cloud White. If you are more of a bright and bold person, you should go for Simply White or Chantilly Lace.
Exterior Window Trim Colours
Investigate some popular choices to determine what colour(s) you should choose for your exterior window trim. If your home is painted in charcoal, you should consider Kendall Charcoal. Some would think this is a muted black and can look perfect for your window trims.
For darker paint, you can go for Black Satin. This paint would make your windows stand out. Even if you chose this black paint, you can still go charcoal around the windows. Also, if you have gray exterior paint as one of your features, charcoal window trims would be a perfect combination. Lastly, if you like taupe, you can opt for Rever Pewter, which significantly complements white trims.
Types of Trims
There are various types of window frames and trims. Usually, they all are similar in style and aesthetic. Also, homeowners tend to revolve their window frames and trims with the surrounding features of the home and coordinate with the architecture.
It can even coordinate with the siding and bricks to create a matching identity. When painting trim, use semi-gloss because it offers a bit more sheen than the others and is easy to clean.
Trim Paint
Whether boosting curb appeal or wanting a fresh new look, trim paint can do just the trick. Whether you are freshening up your interior or exterior, there are many colours to choose from! The possibilities are endless, and the more options you have, the better. If you are still indecisive about what colour to choose or how to paint your trim, you can always seek guidance from house painters or any painting services.
Be Bold!
Most people like to say, “go big or go home” and that is exactly what you should do with your trim paint. This could mean aluminum siding painted with charcoals or dark grays that are rich in tones, but still great neutral colours. Most homeowners tend to go with taupe or white, as they are always the most popular paints, but don’t be afraid to go bold! If you really want to make your home stand out and look modern, you should go for bold neutrals because they are not boring. These bold colours will boost your curb appeal and streamline your home’s exterior features.
More Interesting Blogs Related to
“A Guide To Trim Paint“
No matter what trim paint colour you choose, you always have many options! Even if you are undecided, professional house painters can help you with any problems or questions. If the work involved in house painting involves too much time and energy to do yourself, call 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com for a FREE quote or visit our website Home Painters Toronto. And don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below!
