Contrast Trim: The Design Trend You Need to Try in 2025

White and neutral spaces have had their moment, but one fun exciting trend that’s current in the interior design world is contrast trim. Similar to color drenching, contrast trim focuses on bringing more color to the space, but less overwhelmingly, to add personality and layers to the room.

“I am a big fan of contrasting trim. The current trend in interiors is full of color, movement and layers,” says interior designer Lori Wilke. “Trim is the perfect vehicle to accomplish all of these things. Traditionally we see the trim or casing, doors and millwork white of a shade of white. It is fun to shake it up a little.”

Interested in bringing more color to your space this year? Here is everything you need to know about the contrast trim trend and expert-approved tips for making it work!

What Is Contrast Trim?

Contrast trim is exactly how it sounds: painting any trim work a contrasting shade to your walls.

“Color is trending in interior design in a major way and contrast trim is a low-cost, easy way to add a punch of color to a space,” says Janelle Patton, lead designer at Lark Interiors.

She says you can try this trend on any piece of trim in your home from the door casing to window casing, baseboards, millwork, and more.

Opting to paint your trim a color other than white is a wonderful way to add visual interest and warmth to any space while staying cohesive with the room’s overall color palette. Plus, if you want to revamp your home this year, contrast trim is one of the more affordable DIY projects you can complete!

“Color is trending in interior design in a major way and contrast trim is a low-cost, easy way to add a punch of color to a space,” Patton says.

The rules of contrast trim are pretty easy to follow. All you need to do is select a darker shade of a color that’s present in your room and paint this shade along any existing trim work for its beautiful, dramatic effect.

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Tips for Trying Contrast Trim In Your Home

Here are a few tips our experts shared for making contrast trim work in your own space.

Welcome Any Color

One of the best parts about contrast trim is that no color is excluded. Almost any shade is on the table for your trim work as long as it complements existing colors in the room.

Ideally, you want to keep the color of your trim in the same color wheelhouse as the other present shades so the design stays cohesive.

Pull From Existing Patterns or Shades

If you’re stuck on what color to use for this trend, Wilke says her expert hack is turning to any patterns or shades you have in the room.

“My favorite way to use contrasting trim is with wallpaper,” she says. “Pull your favorite color out of the wallpaper and paint the trim, doors, and millwork in that color.”

Choose a Darker Shade for Trim

Regardless of the color you choose, the basic rule of thumb is to select a shade that’s darker than your walls.

“Paint the trim in the whole home a few shades darker than the walls. This can really warm up a new open-concept home,” says Wilke.

Opting for a darker shade also makes your wall color or wallpaper patterns pop.

Paint Drywalls Instead

While the majority of the focus for this trend is on the trim work (hence the name), Patton says there is a hack you can try to still have fun with this trend.

“If you live in a newer home with drywall casings and openings instead of millwork, you can paint the drywall in a contrasting color,” she says “It’s a fun, cost-efficient way to add personality.”