Oak trim can add a classic, warm look to any room. But pairing the right paint colors with oak trim can sometimes be tricky. The wrong colors can make the oak look dated or even clash. The key is finding paint colors that complement and enhance the oak rather than competing with it. This article will discuss the best paint colors to pair with oak trim in several different rooms of the house.
Living Room
The living room is often one of the main rooms where people want to highlight their oak trim. When choosing living room paint colors for oak trim, it’s generally best to stick with warm, earthy hues. Cool-toned grays and blues will usually clash and make oak look uninviting and outdated. Here are some of the best living room paint colors to complement oak trim:
- Beiges – A light beige like Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray creates a warm, welcoming backdrop for oak trim.
- Browns – Dark coffee browns like Benjamin Moore’s Espresso can make oak pop. Lighter tans like Desert Twilight are also nice.
- Greens – Deep forest greens and olive greens paired with oak add an earthy, rustic feel. Try Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog or Jasper.
- Yellows – From light buttery yellows to deeper mustard tones, yellow brings out the richness of oak nicely. Try options like Lemongrass or Sweet Corn.
Stay away from stark whites, grays with cool undertones, and pale blues as they can make oak look dated and dull in a living room. Warm, earthy paint colors are the way to go.
Kitchen
The kitchen is another room where people frequently have oak cabinets they want to complement with wall paint colors. Here are paint ideas that look great with oak cabinets:
| Paint Color | Brand | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Simply White | Benjamin Moore | Brightens up oak cabinets nicely without clashing |
| Gray Owl | Benjamin Moore | Warm gray that complements oak beautifully |
| Accessible Beige | Sherwin-Williams | Light beige that warms up oak cabinets |
| Renwick Olive | Sherwin-Williams | Deep green that accentuates oak grain |
The key with choosing kitchen cabinet paint colors is to avoid whites and grays that are too stark or cool-toned. Warmer off-whites and beiges as well as earth tones tend to complement oak best.
Bedrooms
For bedrooms that feature oak trim and furnishings like beds, dressers, and nightstands, the following paint colors can create a relaxing, inviting environment:
- Light blues – Soft, muted blues like Ceiling Blue or Coastal Fog work well with oak’s warm tones.
- Grays – Warmer grays like Gray Owl that have beige or taupe undertones complement oak.
- Greens – Olive-y greens like Renwick Olive enhance oak’s natural pattern.
- Tans – Almond and sand colors provide a soothing contrast against rich oak grain.
The bedroom is one space where you can get away with slightly cooler paint colors than the main living spaces. Just steer clear of icy grays and whites.
Bathrooms
Humid bathroom conditions can sometimes cause oak trim and vanities to appear more orange and dated-looking. Therefore, it’s important to choose bathroom paint colors that neutralize those orange undertones. Here are ideas for bathrooms with oak trim:
| Paint Color | Brand | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Marlin | Sherwin-Williams | Blue-gray neutralizes orange |
| Gray Cashmere | Benjamin Moore | Warm, soft gray compliments oak |
| Tradewind | Sherwin-Williams | Green-gray creates soothing atmosphere |
| Linen White | Sherwin-Williams | Bright but not stark white for an airy look |
Grays and whites are often best for bathrooms to neutralize the orangey hues that oak can take on. Just avoid icy grays and go for options with hints of green, blue, or beige instead.
Conclusion
Finding paint colors that work well with oak trim largely comes down to choosing warm, earthy hues that complement oak’s natural tone instead of clashing with it. In most rooms, that means considering beiges, browns, greens, warm grays, and yellows. Stay away from very cool-toned whites, grays, and blues. With oak’s richness, you’ll usually want a paint color that enhances it rather than competing with it. Use the suggestions in this article as a starting point, and always sample colors on the wall before fully committing to get just the right complementary hue.
