Drapes, furnishings and color schemes are the heavy hitters of interior decorating. Finding ways to highlight the color of a room without making it overwhelming is what keeps decorators in business. One solution is simpler than you may think. Leveraging trim and molding in rooms can make all the difference when it comes to color.
The Importance of Interior Trim
Interior trim can leverage the architecture of a room and contribute to the character and atmosphere of a room. It also provides balance, proportion and highlighting in the form of crown molding, baseboards, casings, mantels and paneling.
Trim frames a room, giving context and perspective to the elements of a room. Tasteful use of trim creates a synthesis between the transition areas of a room: wall to ceiling; floor to wall; mantel to room; and the borders between walls and windows.
Trim’s Impact on a Room
Trim has the unique ability to control the way the size and shape of a room are perceived. Strong lateral trim along floors and ceilings create a space that feels larger and more open. Mid-wall trim can bring close comfort into a living space. Using trim in tandem with the color of a room can have a dramatic effect.
Highlighting Color
- Matching colors. Painting trim in the same or similar colors of a room create a uniform look that is considered fresh and comfortable. This technique works especially well in rooms that are painted in unique yet not overly bold tones. Following this method, warm toned rooms would be trimmed in colors that are a similarly warm shade of the same color. Cool colors would be paired with neutral, cooler trim colors, as well. Homes with open floor layouts benefit greatly from keeping the trim a unified color. The consistency of color creates an open, welcoming and unified feel in your home.
- Lighter trim. White trim is very popular and is considered the classic interior trim. It can be used to highlight interesting or historic aspects of your home’s interior. White trim is also effective at making wall colors pop and come to life. The dramatic contrast between white trim and colored walls is very attractive and creates a clean, crisp look.
- Dark trim. Less common but equally provocative is the use of trim with dark tones. Dark trim adds depth to rooms and is used to frame views from windows. One unique and dramatic application is trimming a room in a color in a much deeper shade of the wall color.
Replacing, repainting or touching up the trim work in your home will require preparation, experience and close attention to detail. Contact Zenith Painting to discuss your trim options.
“Image Credit: flickr.com”
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