The secret to a truly polished room often lies in its smallest details – the trim and moldings. These architectural elements might seem minor, but they’re crucial in giving a space that ‘finished’ look. The right trim paint ties everything together, while the wrong choice can disrupt an otherwise beautiful room.
Here’s the thing, though – even this seemingly simple detail needs you to think about a bunch of factors: the surface type, how it’ll be used, and how it’ll look against your walls. I keep seeing people grab whatever paint they spot first, then end up disappointed with the results.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the paint types that actually work for trim, plus the tried-and-true brands I swear by.
What Makes a Great Paint for Trim and Baseboards?
The biggest thing you’re looking for is smoothness. Good paint will level itself out as it dries, hiding those pesky brush and roller marks. Bad paint? Well, you know those awful brush strokes that stick around forever.
Durability is super important too. The trim takes a beating in my house – bumps, scratches, regular cleaning. Your paint needs to handle all that without showing wear and tear.
About the price – quality paint isn’t cheap, running anywhere from $40 to $110 per gallon. But trying to save money here often means you’ll end up repainting sooner than you’d like.
I’ve pretty much ditched oil-based paints in favor of modern acrylic-alkyd and enamel formulas. They’re not just easier to work with – they’re also family-friendly since you can clean them up with water.
Best Trim Paints and Why
After trying out tons of trim paints over the years, I’ve narrowed it down to three options that really deliver. Each has its own strengths, so it depends on what matters most to you.
1) Benjamin Moore Advance
Advance by Benjamin Moore is pretty much the gold standard for trim paint right now. The hybrid alkyd-acrylic formula gives you amazing self-leveling – the paint flows out so smoothly that brush marks practically disappear. You’ll need to wait longer for it to dry but trust me, it’s worth the patience.
The finish is incredibly tough and won’t yellow like old-school oil-based paints do. It’s especially impressive on high-traffic spots like door frames and windowsills.
Plus, cleanup is a breeze with just soap and water – and you won’t have to deal with those killer fumes like with oil-based paints.
2) Sherwin Williams Emerald
SW Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel gives Benjamin Moore Advance a run for its money, but at around $120 per gallon, it might make your wallet weep a little.
It dries faster and gives you a more matte look – what they call semi-gloss actually looks more like satin. The surface is super hard and stands up to scratches like a champ.
3) INSL-X Cabinet Coat
This lesser-known brand (owned by Benjamin Moore) is a real bargain. You can easily find it on Amazon, and it costs quite a bit less than the options we discussed above.
Cabinet Coat gives you solid coverage in one coat and dries super quickly – you can touch it after an hour.
Its biggest selling point is how well it sticks to any surface – you can often skip the primer altogether. It works wonders on baseboards in bathrooms and other damp spaces – no peeling, and it cleans up like a dream.
The only downside? The color selection isn’t as extensive as the premium brands.
What’s the Best Paint Finish for Trim?
I hear all the time about the satin vs. semi-gloss debate for trim and moldings. To be honest, I still go back and forth between them. Here’s why.
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The satin finish gives you this lovely, soft glow that makes trim stand out without being too flashy. It holds up well to daily wear and tear, and cleaning is no hassle. Plus, satin is pretty forgiving when your surfaces aren’t perfect.
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Semi-gloss is great too, especially if you’re going for that more polished look. It bounces light around better and might be even easier to keep clean.
But here’s the thing – it shows every little bump and flaw. That can be tricky in older homes especially.
Just remember this rule of thumb: the shinier the finish, the more it’ll show imperfections.
For a new build with pristine walls? Semi-gloss might be your best bet. But I’d lean toward satin for an older home with some character.
In my projects, I love mixing things up with finishes. Think matte or eggshell walls with satin trim – creates this subtle depth that really makes a room pop.
How to Choose the Right Trim Color
White trim is foolproof, and I have a separate post on my favorite trim shades. Take a look when you’ll have a chance!
When picking your color, think about your overall style and what’s on your walls.
Modern spaces? Cool whites like Sherwin Williams’ Extra White really shine.
Going for something more traditional? Try warm whites. Benjamin Moore’s White Dove adds coziness without that yellowy tinge you want to avoid.
Playing with wall and trim contrast is really fun. With light walls, you can keep it subtle – just go a touch lighter on the trim and watch how it transforms the room.
Dark walls? That’s when I break out bright whites like Chantilly Lace – creates these amazing crisp lines!
Here’s a small trick: tall baseboards in just the right white can make your ceiling look higher – it works like magic in smaller rooms.
Tips for Painting the Trim
- First things first – figure out how much paint you need. From what I’ve seen, a gallon covers all doors and baseboards in the whole house.
- Nobody loves sanding, but it’s crucial. Get yourself a 100-120 grit sanding block. Follow up with liquid sandpaper – it preps the surface and gets rid of shine and grime.
- Good tools make a huge difference. After trying what feels like every brush out there, I swear by this combo: detail brush for tight spots and microfiber roller for the bigger areas.
- Taking care of your tools is worth it in the long run. A wire brush and proper cleaner will keep your brushes and rollers going strong. Trust me – I learned this one the hard way, but now I’m religious about cleaning my tools.
