Should moulding be the same colour as the walls?

When it comes time to paint a room, the moulding (or trim) presents an interesting conundrum: should it be the same colour as the walls?

The answer: it all depends on the desired effect — and the look of the moulding. Plain doorframes without any particular aesthetic features, for example, are usually best left to blend in with the surrounding wall. The same goes for a door that’s poorly framed — drawing attention to crooked trim is sure to disrupt the visual flow of the room.

If your moulding is quite plain, you might still choose to make it subtly stand out by painting it the same shade as the walls, but in a glossier, light-catching finish.

If your moulding is ornate, don’t hesitate to make it pop! Create contrast by using white, grey or black. If you decide to go with white, make sure you choose a shade that matches the rest of the room’s colour palette — in other words, don’t use a crisp, cool white to trim a wall that’s painted in a rich, warm hue.

Finally, remember that if your moulding is of a different colour than your walls, it’s a good idea to paint all the moulding in your home the same colour. This is especially true when it comes to creating a harmonious overall look in an open-concept space.