Should I Paint My Wood Trim White? (Pros and Cons)

A home’s trim may be repainted to give it a fresh look.

It adds a sense of freshness to the room and brings the wall color to life “says she. “A historic home may be revitalized by adding white trim.

If you’re moving into an older house, you’ll almost certainly find yourself surrounded by dark wood trim and crown molding. While this is a popular feature in vintage craftsman and bungalow homes, it is not for everyone.

As a new homeowner, you may wish to paint the original wood trim to alter up the old-world aesthetic and brighten up your interior. Is this, however, a good idea? It is debatable. Painting wood trim may enhance or detract from the value and appearance of your home, so if you’re not sure what to do, here are some suggestions.

Is It Worthwhile to Paint Trim?

Paint the trim first, then the walls and ceiling, according to most painting experts. Because you’ll be painting over any extra trim paint that has gotten on the walls, this gives greater room for mistakes along the borders of the trim. If the trim is the focal point of your project, try taping the edges.

I’m not sure if I should paint my wood trim or not.

Painting the trim on a modern home may work out much better than painting the trim on a 100-year-old property. If you live in an older home, you’re likely to have some beautiful stained woodwork. In older homes, stained wood trim is fairly popular, and leaving it stained may give a space a feeling of warmth and rustic appeal.

Pros of Painting Wood Trim White

• It gives the impression of extra space in the room. You’ve probably seen how painting a room white makes it appear lighter and larger. This is due to the irradiation illusion, a widening illusion that white uses to deceive us (Source: Sign Brad). As a result, painting your window trim white might help to make a tiny space appear larger.
• It gives the room a contemporary feel. When you look at images of the interiors of most modern homes nowadays, you’ll notice that white window trimmings are virtually always prominent. White window trimmings offer your visitors a sense of modernism, which influences how they see the remainder of the space.
• White appears to be more sanitary. At first look, white window trim provides your property with a cleaner image. The majority of people associate the hue with cleanliness, which is why it is commonly utilized in rental apartments (Source: Washington Post). Your area is undoubtedly already spotless, but a white window trim can help it rise even higher on the cleanliness scale in the eyes of passers-by.
• The natural light is enhanced by the white trim. The natural light that enters a space is accentuated with white wood trim. The light reflecting off the white trim creates the illusion of a brighter area than it actually is.

Cons of Painting Wood Trim White

The painting, like any other option, has several disadvantages:

• It doesn’t appear to be the most natural option. If you prefer the look of hardwood, try using a stain rather than a solid color to bring out the natural beauty of the wood grain.
• If you decide to go with paint, keep in mind that you’ll be making that decision for the rest of your life. Switching from paint to stain is really tough. Year after year, you’ll most likely have to repaint your deck.
• We aren’t all color experts. A hue that looks wonderful on an interior wall might not look so well underfoot. Yes, there are several color options. There’s also the possibility that you’ll end up with more work if you make the wrong decision.
• When it’s wet or snowy outside, you may need to be especially cautious with paint. Your deck may become incredibly slick depending on the shine of your discomfort. If you’re worried about slips and falls, you may just stain your deck instead.

FAQs

Is It True That White Trim Gets Dirty?

Most of us don’t pay attention to how unclean our baseboards and other trim are. However, a closer inspection reveals dust, scrapes, and scuff marks all down your baseboards. All of that accumulation may turn your once-white baseboards yellow and drab.

Is It Difficult to Keep White Trim Clean?

So, if you can afford very nice, high-quality wood trim in a new house, I think that’s about as nice as it gets, and the upkeep is almost non-existent. White trim, on the other hand, is lovely, and it’s not difficult to keep clean or touch up.

Is White Trim Considered Timeless?

White trim, in particular, is ageless, and it gives a room a clean, sophisticated aesthetic that never goes out of style. If you’ve ever had your home’s white trim touched up, you know how refreshing it can be.

What Is the Reason Behind the High Cost of Trim Paint?

Trim paints are frequently labeled as such. Because they are developed to withstand heavier traffic areas, they are frequently more expensive than standard wall paints.

Is It Better to Paint the Trim First or the Walls?

When painting a space, professionals normally follow a set of steps. The trim is painted first, followed by the ceiling, and then the walls. This is due to the fact that taping off the trim is easier (and faster) than taping off the walls.

Final Thoughts

Overly matched colors might be perceived as boring or uninteresting by some homeowners. In the end, any decision you make will be the appropriate one as long as it reflects your personal preferences.

The trouble is, if you’ve lived in that house for so long and you’re tired of the wood or the paint, the odds of you wanting to go back are extremely minimal.

Once you’ve made the decision, you’re more likely to like it than to feel like you’ve made a tremendous mistake and want to turn back.

Read more:

• 5 Best Sanders for Trim Work Reviews
• 12 Best Paint Brush for Trim and Baseboards
• How Dry Should Wood Be for Woodworking