How to Mix Wood and White Trim, Beautifully!
Yes, you can mix wood and white trim in the same house (or, even, in the same room)! Mixing painted and stained trim is completely doable, as long as you keep these tips in mind.
Our modern cottage home has original solid wood trim, crown molding, panel molding, chair rails, and ceiling beams... but... it's only like that in a few of the main rooms. The remaining spaces are filled with the same 3" stained baseboards that fills most homes built in the 1980s.
So, what do you do when some of your home's trim is high quality and the rest is builder grade? Does it all have to be upgraded ($$$)? Or, do you have to paint it all white (bye-bye beautifully stained original wood)?
Is it all or nothing?
The answer is a resounding "no".
Not only can you mix wood and white trim, you can also mix stained trim with painted trim of any color. Mixing trim is not as easy as "all or nothing", but the results are well worth the extra effort (and, it might save you some money, too!).
How to Combine Stained and Painted Trim
1. Decide which Trim will be Stained
First, determine which trim, moldings, and casings will remain in a stained finish (i.e. will not be painted). To make this decision, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I like this feature of my home in a stained finish?
- Is this trim made with quality wood?
- Does this trim make a statement in my home?
- Is this trim in good condition?
- Does this stained trim work with the "mood" I'd like to create in this room?
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2. Decide which Trim will be Painted
Next, determine which trim, moldings, and casings will be painted. To make this decision, ask yourself the following questions:
- Which wood-stained features do I dislike?
- Is this trim made with inexpensive wood?
- Does this trim distract from other appealing features of my home?
- Is this trim in poor condition?
3. Determine the Start and Endpoints
The trickiest part of mixing stained and painted trim is the start and endpoints. What do I mean by start and endpoints? Well, for example, this question:
"If I paint the baseboards white, should I also paint the stained door casing which opens to the next room?"
This isn't always easy to solve. In fact, in several rooms, I have painted trim up to a certain point and then stopped to mull it over for a while. I'm a visual person, and seeing it in real life helps me make the final decision.
My general rule regarding where to start and to end is this: keep each type of trim consistent within a room (with the exception of window and door casing trim). For example:
- all baseboard in a room is the same color,
- all crown in a room the same color,
- etc.
4. Decide whether each Window Casing will be Painted or Stained
So, do the window casings have to match the crown molding... or the baseboards... or the other windows in the room? Nope!
Rather, for window casing trim, choose stained or painted based on the following criteria:
- if you want windows to feel bigger, choose a low contrast trim color (see image #1, below)
- if you want to highlight windows, choose a high contrast trim color (see image #2, below)
5. Decide whether each Door Casing will be Painted or Stained
Like window casings, door casing trim can also vary within a room.
For door casing trim, choose stained or painted based on the look you want AND the impact on the adjoining room, for example:
- if there is a door, you can finish it in one color to the stop in the door frame and another color past that point (see image #1, below)
- if a cased opening does not contain a door (i.e. a pass-through), paint it all or stain it all based on which is most visually appealing (see images #2 and #3, below)
6. Decide whether Doors will be Painted or Stained
If you have a door between rooms, you'll have to decide whether the door will be stained or painted to match the trim. Just like all trim doesn't have to match, doors don't always have to match the trim, either.
In general, you have 4 choices:
- painted door with painted trim
- stained door with painted trim
- stained door with stained trim
- stained door on one side, painted door on the other side
Typically, I don't recommend the last option. In this post about How to Mix Wood Stained Doors with White Trim, I explain how to decide between the other 3 options.
Examples of Mixing Wood and Painted Trim
Dining Room with Wood and White Trim
For the first example, let's take a look at our homeschool room (also a dining room). I wanted the room to feel light and bright... after all light is imperative in a space for schoolwork.
When we moved in, the crown molding, window trim, chair rail, and baseboards were all stained wood. All that wood trim - combined with blue-gray walls - wasn't adding up to the light and bright space I envisioned.
But, I hated to paint over that gorgeous, thick, stained wood crown molding. How could I lighten up the room without hiding a feature that I loved?
You might also like: How to Brighten a Dark Room
So, I decided to try mixing wood and white trim in the same room (prior to this, I'd only mixed it in the same house). We painted the walls in SW Alabaster and the trim in SW Pure White (to match the adjoining budget-friendly kitchen renovation).
It turned out exactly as I'd hoped! The beautiful crown molding is highlighted because all of the smaller 3" trim blends in with the walls.
Bedroom with Stained and Painted Trim
For the next example, let's take a look at our master bedroom. We wanted this room to feel cozy, warm, and a bit rustic. It's a big room that can handle a deep, dark, paint color and heavy trim.
Plus, the wood beams are the statement piece in this room and I definitely wouldn't want them to fade away with white paint.
However, I wasn't interested in updating the inexpensive baseboards with similar trim to match the ceiling. It would be expensive and difficult to match the stains.
Instead, we chose to replace the 3" baseboards with paintable 1" x 6" boards. I painted the boards with SW Rookwood Dark Green (at 50%) - to match the dark green bedroom walls - which keeps the base trim from competing visually with the ceiling beams and trim.
Plus, I love how the dark green trim contrasts with the grasscloth-covered wall, while also complementing the green curtains (here are 9 more examples of rooms with painted green trim).
Tips & Tricks for Painting Stained Trim
- Use a high-quality semigloss paint, preferably with primer built-in. I like Sherwin William's Emerald Urethane Trim Paint for both trim and cabinetry.
- If your home is older (pre-1978), there is a possibility that there could be lead in the stain, varnish, or original paint. You can buy a lead test kit to confirm the existence of lead. Then, use a lead encapsulating paint as a primer/barrier before painting the trim.
Mix Wood and Painted Trim
Now it's your turn! Embrace the stained trim in your home by making creative choices with trim color.
Have questions? Feel stuck? Leave a comment, below. I'd love to help you figure out how to beautifully combine stained and painted trim in your home!
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We put down new flooring in the dining and kitchen area. Don't think the flooring matches the baseboard. We were thinking about painting the oak baseboard white Which would work out good except We have a cabinet that is oak that butts up against the wall And I'm not sure And what to do in that situation. The cabinet needs baseboard around it so I'm probably going to go with the oak baseboard there.Can you butt oak up to white baseboard?
Yes, I agree the cabinet trim should stay oak. And, yes, you can butt oak trim up to white baseboard. Where would the two meet? If there is a natural break, like a corner, that is where I would make the change. If it is not a corner, feel free to send a pic to loragreen@craftivitydesigns.com of where the two would meet, and I'll be happy to make a suggestion.
Hi there! We are currently building a new home, I’m wanting to do all stained trim, doors, cabinets. With exception of white window trim.
I’ve found pictures of homes with all white baseboards and moulding, and stained window trim. Yet, cannot find anything like I’m wanting…all stained with painted window trim.
Reason for wanting white window trim:
Prefer white plantation shutters, so it doesn’t lend a “closed off” feeling. Also, our windows will be white. We really just want a more open feel.
Could this work? Or do we need to do all baseboards/door trim/moulding white?
Thanks so much.
Definitely!! I love this idea with the white plantation shutters! I think window trim is the best place to go with white paint, because it makes the windows feel so much larger - especially if you are painting the walls a white shade, too.
The house that i bough has white doors, white window trims & white baseboard but they have a yellow tint to them and marks in certain places as well. I want to repaint all of them white again.
My question is -
1) what wud be the steps to do so?
2) I dont know what kind of paint was used earlier etc etc. So do i need to prime them? If yes then with what prime (oil/water)
3) do i need to use a sealer after the paint?
Let me know, thanks.
First, determine what kind of paint is on your current doors, and select the primer based on that (here are instructions and a suggested primer: https://www.hillisbrothers.com/post/can-you-paint-latex-over-oil). I do not use a sealer over my painted trim and doors. Just make sure to buy a high-quality paint (Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, etc. in Cabinet and Trim grade). It will be a pricey gallon of paint, but will be worth the money since it won't chip easily. If there is spot that gets dinged frequently (for example... a door that bumps up against the floor trim or something... you can always apply a layer of clear sealer in that spot for a little extra protection... I have done that in a few spots around our home). Finally, make sure to do at least 2 coats. I generally do 3 coats.
My home was built in 1964. I have honey oak cabinets, doors , trim, and window casements. Can I replace doors and trim board in white and leave cabinets and casements honey oak? Living area walls grieve.
On the windows, I would keep the window trim matching the window casings (i.e. both oak). On the doors, I'd paint the door trim and door casings to match the door (i.e. white). Like you mentioned, paint the wall base trim white. On the cabinetry, if there is any base trim, keep it in oak (i.e. the entire cabinet, trim and all, in oak - even if some of the trim is the same style as the wall trim). The white wall trim should stop when it gets to the oak cabinetry. I hope that makes sense! Let me know if you have any questions.
I need help deciding what to keep wood and what to paint. I have a lot of wood.. beams,railing, etc. how/who would I ask to help me?
Hi, Jill! Feel free to send me specific questions in email with pics and I'll try to help 🙂 - Lora
I am getting all white replacement windows in my livingroom that will be trimmed out in white also. My baseboard woodwork is stained a dark walnut color. Is that terrible to have white windows and dark woodwork in the same room or do you think I should paint the woodwork white also?
No, it's not terrible! In fact, this is exactly how my bedroom is: https://craftivitydesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dark-green-bedroom-master-grasscloth-wallpaper-68.jpg The photo is bright, so hopefully you can see that the windows are white and the trim is wood. The same is the case in my living room. Here is a photo where you can see it (not a styled pic, just real life!): https://www.instagram.com/p/CFMzmKdHN2f/ Hope that helps!
I have wood doors casing and trim, wood window casing and trim, and wood baseboards throughout the house. Living room, dining room, kitchen, family room and hallway do not have doors between them. I want to replace the baseboards with lighter painted ones but keep everything else wood. I like the idea of painted baseboards to match the walls, but I love color and have painted most rooms different colors. And some rooms have dark accent walls. It seems if every baseboard was painted the color of its wall, it will all look quite piecemeal. How do I choose the baseboard color? (I do not like white.) Thanks!
Hi, Mary! This is a great question. Yes, painting all of the baseboards to match walls could become piecemeal. I'd definitely keep all of the connected spaces (living, dining, kitchen, family room, hall) pretty consistent (i.e. wood and 1 other color). Inside the bedrooms, I wouldn't worry about it and would paint the baseboard the color I though best fit the room. For the open spaces, if you do not like white, what neutrals and color palettes do you like? Depending on what you like, warm neutrals (beige and griege) can look really nice on trim. If you like drama, dark charcoals and navy can also look great. If you'd like, feel free to email me pictures and I can try to provide specific suggestions.
Hi - I just had my fireplace tiled over brick with herringbone marble. Now, I want to paint it white, but I don’t want to paint all with windows and baseboards to match. I don’t want to deal with knicks and always touching up. Would it look odd just to paint the fireplace a creamy white?
No, I don't think it would look odd. It will be cohesive with the marble, and won't matter with that it isn't the same as the windows and baseboards.
We are about to mix stained and painted trim in our home. Same dilemma you describe. We just painted alabaster walls and the wood trim everywhere seems too stark. I want to keep the upper crown stained and paint the baseboards (maybe window casings too).
My question is: what do you do to prep the stained trim prior to painting? And do you paint the hardwood floor shoe molding or is that considered part of the floor and should be left stained?? Thanks!
I paint the shoe molding, but I'd say that is personal preference. I prefer shoe molding to match the trim, not the floor; but I know that is not necessarily the traditional method.
As far as prep, I buy high quality paint, such as Sherwin Williams cabinet paint, and don't worry about prep. The paint adheres really well. The only places I have had any chipping are where something actually scratches up against it repeatedly. For example, my daughter's wood bed leg rubs the painted shoe molding in her room, and it is chipping a little in that spot. But, otherwise, in places with normal use and care, there is no chipping.
All that being said, the way to get the paint to adhere the best would be to sand first. I just don't worry about it, I'd rather just touch up every few years where it is needed, rather than sand it all.
Hi! I have been struggling about what to do about the stained wood trim, medium to low quality stained ceiling beams, and red brick fireplace wall in my sunken (three steps down from main level) family room. While I like the rustic look, the ceiling of the family room already looks very low from the rest of the main level, and I think that the wood beams feel heavy and make the ceiling feel even lower and more closed-in. Could I contact you by email and attach pictures? I would be really interested in your thoughts on what might be best to do with this room.
Thanks so much,
Cam
Yes, sure! Send me an email at loragreen@craftivitydesigns.com
I have birch paneling in my kitchen with stained wood trim around window,ceiling and baseboards. I am getting ready to paint my stained kitchen cabinets. My question is should I paint the trim over my cabinets white or leave the trim above my cabinets white?
In general, yes, I recommend painting the trim above the painted cabinets the same color as the cabinets. If you'd like to send a pic, I'm happy to take a look, too, just to confirm that is what I'd do in this case.
I love the way you combine paint and stain. My issue in our home we have tongue and groove half way up the wall which is stain. It is in need of redoing or paint it. I would like to paint it. But I have stain wood through out our home. I like your idea of mixing the two options together and creating beauty and style.
Betty K
In New York
Thank you, Betty, for your kind comments! In the case of tongue and groove - I'd paint the top trim, tongue and groove, and base trim all the same color. If it wouldn't work to paint the base trim (based on how it intersects with other trim throughout the house), I'd paint the tongue and groove and top trim the same color. I hope that helps! Feel free to send pics if you'd like 🙂 Have a good week!
Hi. Small kitchen w galley layout of light Cherry cabinets. Also has prego cherrywood stain floors. Ordering new granite countertops. Will put in some creamy white w very little accent of color of cabinets in the veining pattern.
Walls presently are medium green & dark maroon. Definitely changing that color. 2 windows w oak wood frame.
Question: what color walls goes w so much light cherrywood color? I’m thinking pale yellow almost vanilla ice cream color? Should I paint the oak frames on 2 windows white or leave them alone? Like is it ok to leave 2 different wood stains in the same room? The kitchen door is dark also w matching frame. I want to
“lighten “ up the rest of the kitchen.
Thanks. Barb Pesante
barbpesante@gmail.com
Hi Barb! First off, yes, I'd probably paint the oak frames on the two windows - especially if your goal is to lighten up the kitchen. I do think that would help because light frames tend to make the windows feel larger. Also, while it is definitely ok to have two wood stains in the same room, I tend to want to balance wood with color. So for example, since you have wood floors, wood cabinets, and wood trim, I'd be inclined to paint the trim to better balance the amount of wood with painted/color surfaces. As for paint color - I like your thought with vanilla ice cream color, but I think I'd be careful to make sure there is not too much yellow undertone. Cherry is warm, so you don't want your paint to be too warm too - just a touch of creamy warmth. If you go this route, I'd use that same creamy vanilla for the trim (but in semi-gloss). I hope that helps! If you have more questions, feel free to send pics, and I can try to provide more help 🙂 Have a great day!
I have a 1980 's stained cabinets, crown molding and baseboards
I have birch paneling. I getting ready to add white cabinets. Cortez counter tops with speckles of grey, black, white. The painter says paint crown over new cabinets and leave stained over the rest of room. My question is the stained trim over kitchen sink will it look ok not painted white? I am going with different shade of grey for my backsplash.
Thanks for your help.
If the crown over the kitchen sink is between cabinetry, then I would paint it the same color as the cabinets, not leave it stained. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions - the counters and cabinet combo sounds beautiful!
Hello,
I am remodeling the kitchen in a cedar home with cedar trim and ceilings. We are doing light gray painted cabinets with white beadboard backsplash.It is an open concept. Is it ok to paint the trim around the kitchen window white?
Thanks!
Yes! Definitely ok, and I would recommend it. I'm not sure where the window is located, but if it butts up to the beadboard, then definitely white. If it butts up to cabinet, I'd probably consider going with the same gray as the cabinets. But, either should work well!