When choosing exterior paint colors for a white house, the trim color is one of the most important decisions. The trim includes fascia boards, corners, window and door frames, columns, and other decorative elements. The trim color you select can complement the white siding, make architectural details pop, and even influence the home’s style.
There are many factors to consider when selecting trim colors for a white house. The architecture and age of the home, color scheme, and personal preferences should all help guide your decision. Additionally, the direction the house faces, size, roofing material, and other exterior elements can impact which tones work best.
By thoughtfully choosing trim colors, you can highlight your home’s best features, add visual interest, and create an attractive exterior color scheme. The most popular options for white house trim are light to medium neutrals and grays. However, bolder hues like black, navy, red, and green can also look beautiful on the right style home.
How Trim Color Affects Home Style
The trim color you select for your white house can influence the home’s architectural style and personality. Here is an overview of how different trim colors coordinate with popular home styles:
Traditional Style Homes
For traditional style homes, white or beige trim colors are classic choices. Soft greens, grays, tans, and browns also coordinate well with traditional architecture. These neutral tones allow ornate detailing to stand out.
Craftsman Style Homes
Deeper trim colors like sage, olive, brick red, brown, and charcoal suit Craftsman style bungalows. These richer hues complement the straight lines and wood accents on Arts & Crafts homes.
Colonial Style Homes
White, black, or dark green trim helps reinforce the stately look of Colonial homes. Shutters in a contrasting shade also maintain a traditional aesthetic.
Farmhouse Style Homes
For Farmhouse inspired homes, black or dark gray trim provides bold definition against white siding. Soft sage green trim is also an option to create a relaxed, rural vibe.
Modern Style Homes
On modern houses, black window frames make a sleek statement. More vibrant shades like crimson, cobalt, or gold on the trim add drama. Sticking with white trim or combining several bright colors works too.
Mediterranean Style Homes
Earthy terra cotta, yellow ochre, and sky blue are ideal trim colors for Mediterranean homes. This palette complements the stucco walls and tile roofs.
Victorian Style Homes
For Victorian architecture, deep hues like navy, burgundy, forest green, and charcoal make the intricate trim details pop. Softer paint colors can look washed out on ornate Victorians.
Factors that Influence Trim Color
When weighing trim color options for your white house, consider these important factors:
Architectural Details
Focus on accentuating the home’s best architectural features through your trim color choice. For example, opt for a bold color on a house with elegant columns and corner boards. Or stick with classic white trim on a home with intricate gingerbread trim.
Direction Facing
The direction your house faces impacts how light hits it. South-facing houses can handle deeper or brighter paint colors. While north-facing homes benefit from lighter shades to reflect more light.
Home Size
Small or moderately sized homes look best with white or neutral colored trim. Bigger houses have the surface area to pull off bold black, navy, red or green trim colors.
Roof Color
Coordinate the trim color with the roof for a cohesive exterior. For instance, black trim pops against a gray roof while brown trim complements a reddish tile roof.
Landscaping
Try to match cool-toned trim colors with blue and purple flowers. And pair warm earthy trim hues with foliage, stones, and planters around the yard.
Personal Preference
While considering what’s most flattering, don’t be afraid to pick a creative color that makes you happy! The trim only covers a small portion of the overall exterior surface.
Most Popular Trim Colors for White Houses
Now that we’ve covered how trim color affects home style and what influences color choice, let’s look at the most popular options. Here are the top trim colors for white houses:
| Trim Color | Description |
|---|---|
| White | Clean, classic, and matches any style home. White trim frames windows and pops against white siding. |
| Beige | A warm neutral that complements traditional architecture. Provides subtle contrast against white walls. |
| Gray | Gray trim is versatile and modern. Different shades like light gray, charcoal, or black suit contemporary to farmhouse styles. |
| Black | Bold and sophisticated, black trim makes a dramatic statement on larger modern homes. Also looks great on Craftsman bungalows. |
| Green | An earthy yet cheerful color for trim. Sage and olive greens work on Craftsman and Farmhouse homes, while forest green suits Victorians. |
| Red | For those seeking an adventurous look, red adds flair to Victorian and Italianate architecture. Brick red also complements Craftsman homes. |
| Blue | Crisp shades like navy or cobalt enhance decorative trim on Victorian and Colonial revival houses. |
| Yellow | Buttery yellow trim provides warmth and contrasts nicely against white siding, especially on cottages and bungalows. |
| Brown | Evokes a natural, earthy feel on Folk Victorian, Craftsman, and Farmhouse style homes when used on the trim. |
These classic trim colors for white homes offer beauty, versatility, and style. Within this palette, you can find shades that coordinate with your home’s architecture and your personal preference.
Creative Color Options
While popular neutrals and primary colors reign supreme for trim, don’t shy away from getting creative with bold hues. Here are some unique trim color ideas for white houses:
Purple
Regal purple trim brings drama to Queen Anne, Victorian, and Italianate homes. Lighter lavender tones also give a soft, playful pop of color.
Mustard Yellow
Spicy mustard yellow trim energizes a white house exterior. It provides contrast on Victorian gingerbread trim and gives a cottage feel.
Forest Green
Deep forest or emerald green looks lush and luxe on ornate Victorian and Colonial houses. It highlights decorative trim when set against white siding.
Navy Blue
From light to dark navy, this color adds classic charm and timeless style. Use it to accentuate dormers, columns, and trim boards.
Turquoise
For a beachy look, bright aqua trim pops on Coastal Cottage homes. Soft blue-green hues also coordinate well with white siding.
Pink
Pretty in pink! A demure shade dresses up the trim on a white Neoclassical house. Pink also infuses cheer into a white Craftsman bungalow.
With some daring color choices, you can create a truly unique look for your home. Just keep in mind factors like architecture, size, and roof color when venturing into bold trim colors.
Conclusion
Choosing the ideal trim color for your white house comes down to assessing your home’s architecture, determining the look you want to achieve, and selecting a compatible color. Traditional white houses suit soft beiges, grays, and greens. While bolder black, navy, and red trims make modern homes pop. Creative types can get playful with unconventional colors like pink or turquoise.
Remember to consider size, direction, roof color, and landscaping when finalizing your exterior color palette. And don’t overlook the power of contrast — dark trim against light siding makes architectural details stand out. With so many potential shades to enhance your home, you can pick a trim color that expresses both style and personality. Just take your time weighing the options to find your perfect match.