There is no set rule as to whether you should paint your doors darker or lighter than the walls. And, of course, you can always paint them both the same color.
' Creating a contrast in color between your doors and walls can depth and dimension. If you don't want the contrast to be too striking, try a tonal look within the same color palette; you could opt for light grey walls and a darker grey on the door, or vice versa, for example.
Some people may like to make a bold design statement and paint their interior doors in strong colours that contrast the walls, such as black. But if keeping a sleek and ultra-modern look is important to you, then it's definitely worth keeping everything the same colour.
The color you paint interior doors and trim does not have to be the same — but it can be. If you are looking for a subtle door paint idea, you can paint the trim to match the door. Alternatively, contrasting colors for the trim and door could make the door pop against the wall if that is the look you want.
White has always been the standard for interior doors. Most people opt for this light, neutral color to give the space an overall clean look. Whether is an exterior door, sliding barn door, closet door, or pantry door, white is always a classic.
Within the principles of Feng Shui, the color red is considered to be good luck for a front door. Red represents good fortune, protection, and symbolizes fire energy.
Whether you choose a soft white, neutral, or jewel tone, you can get a great effect by having your walls, crown moldings, baseboards, window trim, and doors all the same color.
If you don't like the look of slight contrast, it's perfectly fine to paint your walls, trim and door white. Just make sure it's the same shade of white or different enough to feel intentional. Either way, a white trim and door help give any room a clean and uniform look.
If you do plan to use a color other than white or eggshell for your doors, a good rule of thumb is to use white or eggshell for ceiling and trim or leave the trim in natural wood. Keep in mind that interior doors exposed to direct sunlight should not be painted in dark colors as they will likely fade.
I generally select neutral colors when I am painting a room with natural wood details, whether cabinets or stain-grade trim. Greens, grays, whites and beiges are no-brainers. Warmer colors, like orange, brown, rust and red, work too, but the deeper tones of these colors work best.
For a while now, it's been more commonplace to see variety in both the color and style of the front door. If you are updating your interior doors, you don't need to paint them all the same color, but you should keep something about them the same throughout the house to maintain cohesion and consistency.
Decorators and designers will often say they don't follow rules when it comes to decorating but something that is helpful to bear in mind is that colors never need to match, they just need to work together. To achieve that balance, it's helpful to bear in mind that one color can also be stronger than the other.
Cooler paint colours help walls to recede, making the room feel more spacious and light. Go for pale shades of grey and blue for maximum lightening effect. If it's warmth you're after, don't be afraid to use light terracotta or yellow paint colours – a sunny hue can brighten and warm a dark, dingy space.
Painting Your Door While It's Removed From Its Frame
Pros: Gravity won't be as much of an issue with your door laid horizontally. It's easier to paint with long, smooth brush strokes. Painting paneled doors is a lot easier when painted horizontally.
From favorite paint colors to specialized design advice, Benjamin Moore's color and design experts have the answers to a common homeowner question: How do I make a small room look bigger and brighter? Lighter paint colors like off-whites, light neutrals, pales, and pastels give the illusion of larger, brighter rooms.
It's a common question, “Do interior doors and trim have to match?” The short answer is no. The doors and trim can be whatever style and color you want them to be. Your home's design is entirely up to you.
When it comes to trim, baseboards, doors, moldings, etc. a white paint color is the most popular choice. It provides a beautiful contrast to the wall color, really making it pop.
If you're going for a clean, classic look, we'd say yes. However keep in mind that you don't have to paint your walls and trim the same exact shade of white. You can add subtle contrast by varying the shade or sheen, but we recommend staying with the same undertone family (cool versus warm.)
Paint Finish for Interior Doors
As such, the sheen you choose should stand up to the years and not show it. Semigloss is the best paint finish for interior doors and trim. The reason being, semi-gloss can take up quite an abuse and stand up to nicks and scrapes better than any other sheen, flat or eggshell finish.
If you are painting a primed door: A latex or water-based paint can be used. A minimum of 2 coats is recommended however, you can apply as many coats to acquire desired finish. Lightly sand all 6 sides of primed door with #220 or higher grit sandpaper.
According to Zillow's survey, recent and prospective buyers liked homes with black front doors the best, followed by homes with mid-toned gray front doors.