A Design Expert Explains Why You Should Paint Your Door And Trim The Same Color

Though many people choose to paint the door trim a separate color from walls and doors, there's an argument for painting both the trim and the doors the same color for a bold impact. TikTok design expert Design Daddy, aka Phoenix Grey, recommends painting your door and trim the same color. "The combination of the door and trim being the same color will always look chic in my opinion," says Grey, whose painting and decorating hacks have made him a renowned DIY authority on social media.

Grey thinks matching the door and trim paint colors "makes the space look purposeful and thoughtfully designed" as opposed to the more commonly-seen contrasting colors. The examples shown in his video use dark and bold colors for the woodwork with light-colored walls, making an impressive design statement. Grey says this painting technique creates a "bold and beautiful impact in your space, which is otherwise unutilized."  

Having the door and trim paint color match creates a look that is immersive. Instead of having the door match the walls, the solid block of color gives definition and makes a strong statement. What's more, it's low-cost and easy to achieve the look. "Paint is one of the greatest and more affordable ways to define a space," explains Grey.

In addition to having door and trim match, Grey also suggests an intriguing variation: painting the inner edge of the door (the one that has the hinges) a sharply contrasting color. He calls this technique "a beautiful and cool way to really spice things up." The example he shows is a bright chartreuse door with an edge painted bright orange, a bold shock of color that is only seen when the door is opened, creating a playful visual surprise. The contrast between these two colors really draws the eye. 

The orange edge on the door also echoes furnishings in the room that are a similar hue, so choose a contrasting color that will bounce off other objects such as artwork, appliances, or furniture. Other combinations that could work in this way include a navy door with a fuchsia edge, a forest green door with a salmon edge, a periwinkle door with a turquoise edge, or a deep red door with a mustard yellow edge.

Grey's painting hack need not be confined to interior doors – you can also apply this look to your exterior doors, including garages, sheds, or exterior entrances. Painting an exterior entrance door and trim the same color makes the entrance look bigger and more inviting. If the color contrasts with the rest of the house, that burst of color can also make the entryway stand out from a distance.

Having the door and trim the same color can also help enhance other exterior decorative elements, such as brick or stonework, leaded glass windows, doorknobs, mail slots, locks, wall sconces, door knockers, or other accents. Consider choosing a color to enhance these features, for example, a cool teal or navy blue to accentuate brass door fixtures or a deep rust orange next to pale gold brickwork.

Exterior doors will probably have some form of lighting also, and you'll want to consider this when choosing your paint. Most exterior paints are glossy, or semi-gloss, and will reflect light. If you have an entryway or porch, consider frosted glass lamps or sconces to cut back on the possibility of glare, and show off the colors of the door and trim.