A couple years ago I did a refresh of our breakfast nook sunroom. You can read all about that here.
I thought long and hard about painting this room a darker color, but because our breakfast nook is a bright sunroom, I knew I wanted to keep it light. While I love a good deep moody color, that was not right for this space. I really felt white would be the best choice in here, but I didn’t want it to feel flat so I added depth with the trim by painting it a soft greige contrasting color and I could not believe what a difference doing a contrasting trim has made to the space.
I’m always looking for ways to update my home without sacrificing functionality or comfort. One of my favorite ways to do this is by adding contrasting trim to white and neutral spaces. By doing so, I’ve been able to create depth and interest in my home in rooms that really need the lighter shades, especially rooms that don’t get a lot of light or have low ceilings and dark beams, ahem, most of our home…
Why you should try a contrasting trim.
One of the downsides of white and neutral spaces is that they can sometimes feel flat or boring. By adding greige trim, you can create a sense of depth and interest in a room. Greige is a combination of gray and beige, and it can range from cool to warm tones depending on the ratio of gray to beige.
By using a greige color that is slightly darker or lighter than the white or neutral color in your space, you can create a subtle contrast that draws the eye and adds dimension. This technique is especially effective on walls or architectural elements like crown molding, baseboards, doors and trim. For a bolder statement, consider using a much darker or lighter greige color than the white or neutral color in your space.
Choosing the Right Greige.
Choosing the right greige color is key to creating the desired effect in your space. As I mentioned earlier, greige can range from cool to warm tones, so it’s important to consider the overall color scheme of your room, as well as the light you get year-round in the space before making a decision.
I’m pretty devoted to Benjamin Moore paints, and I’ve rounded up some of my favorite greige paint colors from the brand. My personal all-time favorite greige is Natural Cream by Benjamin Moore. I’ve used it all over my house in several different lighting situations and always been happy with the results. Natural cream is a light greige that flatters both warm and cool color schemes, and is so perfect for doing a contrasting trim. Side note: it pairs beautifully White Dove.
Adding contrasting greige trim to white and neutral spaces is a great way to create depth and interest in a room without sacrificing the calming and versatile aesthetic of a neutral color palette. By choosing the right greige color of paint, you can create a look that’s both modern and timeless. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to update your home, give this technique a try!
