Use These Colors To Paint Your Trim For A Bold Joanna Gaines-Inspired Look

On "Fixer Upper," the Gaines turn houses from drab to fab, leaving their viewers wondering how to decorate their homes like Joanna Gaines. One unique idea we are taking inspiration from is Joana's idea to paint your home's trim with bold colors. House Digest spoke exclusively with Erika Dale, interior designer and founder of Erika Dale Interior Design about everything you should know regarding this beautiful trim idea, including any potential disadvantages of creating a similar look in your own space.

Just like Gaines, Dale loves the idea of painting trim a color other than white. She says, "It is such a design-forward approach with a ton of visual interest and is perfect for really highlighting the architectural details of your home. Even in a home with basic baseboards and casing, it adds a depth and warmth that white trim lacks. Joanna Gaines' approach of using a pretty greige creates a beautiful tone-on-tone aesthetic." She also shares tips on finding the perfect tone for your space, some top choices, and how to avoid regret when picking out paint. 

Choosing the right color for your trim may seem like a challenge. Luckily, when House Digest spoke exclusively with Dale, the designer provided some advice on how to make this difficult decision. "The main tip is not to go too saturated in any paint color you choose, as you run the risk of it looking like it belongs in a child's room. Keep in mind that the color you pick will also look more saturated on the wall than on the swatch, so when in doubt, go err on the side of more muted if you are unsure," she says. "Stick with muted dark or mid-tones, as well as neutrals like greige, taupe, or black to create the perfect contrast trim."

Dale also shared that while she agrees with Gaines that greige and taupe are good choices for trim, she also thinks a pop of color can be a great option. "I also think more people are getting comfortable with using more color, so a beautiful muted earthy mid-tone like sage or soft blue would also be gorgeous," Dale says. If you really want to nail that "Fixer Upper" vibe, a soft sage from Joana's paint line, (such as Silverado Sage by Magnolia) could be ideal. Dale added that "for those looking for a timeless, upscale, and dramatic vibe, I really love using black (such as Sherwin-Williams' Tricorn Black) on the trim for a classic pop of elegance." Side note, if you are looking for the perfect Fixer Upper-inspired look in your home, try these paint colors for the rest of your home.

While painting your trim can make a bold statement, during Dale's exclusive interview with House Digest, she shared that there is one disadvantage to this choice. While Dale feels it can work with many design styles, she cautions, "Painting trim can be very expensive to hire it out or extremely time-consuming to do yourself, as you need to consider it is not just baseboards and casing, but often crown molding, windows, doors, detail trimwork, and more." She adds that, "if you choose the wrong color, there is the risk of you getting tired of it and wanting to paint again in the future."

To avoid choosing the wrong hue, Dale suggests painting a large swatch of the color before committing to it. Let the paint fully dry and observe it during different times of the day. This will help ensure you like the color in all its potential shades, as the light changes. If you're getting ready to revamp your home and begin your own Fixer Upper project, here are some design details from one of Joanna Gaines' favorite Fixer Uppers to inspire you.