Can You Have Cream Walls With White Trim?

Tom Gaffey
by Tom Gaffey

Selecting the right paint for your walls is no small undertaking. Paint color can completely transform a room for good, but also for bad. There is tone, light and aesthetics to consider.

You also want to make sure you feel good about the color, since you will look at it every day. So, if you land on cream-colored walls for your room, you might wonder if it is OK to have white trim with cream walls.

Cream walls and white trim is a great combination. It allows you the warmth from both colors, and opens up the room. Light colors make a room look larger and more serene.

Cream walls and white trim, while not drastically different, allows for some contrast, which is great for design. Remember, there are many shades and hues of cream and white, so test the colors together before painting the entire room.

If you are interested in painting your walls a cream color, you are likely debating on the trim. As you try and pick the right color, you should know that white is by far the most popular trim color for homes. There are many reasons for this, which we will highlight in this area. But first, let’s answer the question about whether or not it is appropriate to have cream walls with white trim.

Is It OK To Have A Cream Wall With White Trim?

The short answer is that it is absolutely fine and acceptable to have cream walls and white trim in your home. Not only is it OK to have this color combination, but it can actually look quite chic and welcoming.

You might be worried that the two colors look too similar. But if this is your worry, remember there are many beautiful rooms that have white walls and white trim. So this, in comparison, is quite a contrast. Also, cream on white has a lush regal quality. It is sometimes a throwback to that yesteryear vibe, which can pair well with antiques and also modern furnishings.

Best of all, these colors aren’t terribly bold, so they are unlikely to clash with anything else in the room. You should also consider the fact that white is a popular trim color. This is not an accident, either.

Five Reasons Why White Trim Is Such A Popular Trim Color

1. It Provides Fresh Clean Lines

White trim is fantastic at providing fresh lines and a clean feeling. If you think of the word “clean” the first thing that comes to mind is likely a clean white surface, or perhaps clean white linen flapping in the breeze. In addition to the cleanliness, the bright white color is great at providing borders, lines and angles within a room.

2. Makes The Space Look Larger

One great thing about white, and white trim in particular, is it makes your space look bigger. Since white trim often covers all the floors and/or ceilings of a room, it can give the impression of a larger space. The same effect can occur with the windows as well. Even with cream-colored walls, the white trim helps make the room look bigger.

3. Brightens Up A Room And Its Best Features

In addition to making the room look bigger, white trim also helps highlight some of your room’s best features. Any crown molding and specialty trim is bound to stand out when you paint it white. Also, your windows are where you want attention in most cases. With white trim around the windows, the eye is naturally drawn to this.

4. Often Complements Ceiling And Other Room Features

White really does go with everything, especially more white. Most ceilings out there are white. White trim helps to tie the ceiling into the rest of the room in a seamless fashion. White trim also helps to connect with other white elements in the room.

5. Helps Tone Down Bolder Room Accents

Even when you select cream walls for your white trim, you are bound to have some bolder elements in the room. Whether it is a highly decorative oriental rug, or a bold-colored couch, some pieces are going to demand attention. These scene-stealers are great, but having busy walls and busy furniture can feel chaotic. Keeping your trim white helps open up more opportunities for you to take risks with your interior design.

Why Pairing Cream Walls With White Trim Is A Brilliant Idea

Now that you understand all the benefits of white trim, you are probably more confident in your decision to paint a room with cream walls and white trim. You should be, because it is a really brilliant combination in many cases. In fact, cream-colored walls with white trim is one of the best ways to give a bit of subtle color while keeping a room neutral and bright.

This color combination is perfect when you want a smaller room to look bright and larger. It is also great for those who haven’t established a strong color scheme. You can go with earth tones, industrial, modern or minimalist. Choosing colors with more pigments can limit your design, but cream and white leave your options wide open. There are some tips to make sure you have the best results possible with this combination.

Tips On How To Best Pair Cream Walls With White Trim

Remember There Is More Than One Shade Of White And Cream

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when you opt for cream walls and white trim is that there are different whites and different creams. These days, there are dozens of whites and just as many creams. So, you can choose colors that are very similar in the spectrum or some that look much different. Make sure you consider this paint selection carefully.

Test The Paint Colors Before Painting The Room

Once you select the paint you think works best for your walls and trim, test it. Paint a small area of both trim and the wall before you commit to the larger project. Paint looks very different when it dries. You also tend to notice subtle differences much better when you have the two colors directly next to each other in their natural setting.

Finding out what these two colors look like together before painting the entire room is critical. Just think how disappointed you would be if you painted the entire room just to find the colors not working together the way you wanted.

Consider The Room And Its Furnishings

As you select the right cream and white, consider the room itself. Think about what color the floor and ceiling are. If possible, try to tie in some of those tones. This can help tie the room together and make the colors seamless.

Also consider the furniture. If you have other cream or white pieces, try to match them. Two different competing whites or creams can look a bit off and even off-putting. Matching the two, however, can help tie the room together.

Try To Contrast And Complement At The Same Time

This might sound contradictory, but you should do your best to both complement and contrast your white trim and cream walls. It is great to complement your white and cream because you want to make sure they don’t clash. Make the tones of the colors balance with each other.

Sometimes choosing deep cream and an off-white can look wrong. Instead, try and keep the white a more pure white if you opt for a darker cream.

Make sure you allow for a bit of contrast though. Too light a cream with pure white will defeat the purpose of cream walls. Make sure you find that delicate balance where cream shines through but the white also has a chance to highlight the trim.

Remember Your Reasons For Choosing Cream And White

In the end, there are all sorts of reasons to choose cream walls and white trim. As you select these two colors and prepare to paint the room, remember your reason and hold onto it.

If, for example, you are choosing cream and white because you want to open up the smaller room, then opt for lighter cream. If, however, you opted for cream because you love its richness, then select whichever cream you think will achieve this desired feeling. Regardless of why you chose these colors, make sure you hold on to that inspiration as you select your colors and complete the project.

Wrapping Up How To Have Cream Walls With White Trim

If you are worried about painting your walls cream color with white trim, don’t be. This color combination is not only OK, but it can look really fantastic and luxurious. White trim is popular for a reason. It allows your room to open up, makes things look clean and bright and makes the room look larger.

Cream walls are a great choice as they add a bit of color without competing with your other furnishings. Remember, there are many shades of cream and white. Make sure you choose a cream and white that complement each other nicely. When in doubt, test the two colors next to one another before painting the entire room.

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Tom Gaffey
Tom Gaffey

Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.

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