Paint Colors that go with WOOD {trim and cabinets} + My Favorite Neutral Paint Colors

One of my most frequently asked questions deals with paint colors that coordinate well with wood trim and cabinets. Today, that is what we are going to talk about! Most of the pictures that are submitted and posted on this site have painted white trim or cabinets, which I think looks clean, crisp and makes the paint pop – I love white, but not everyone has white cabinets or trim, or even wants them. Well, maybe you do want them but you have a stubborn husband or landlord that can’t stand the thought of painting over perfectly good wood.  If you have any type of wood in your home and are trying to  pick out a paint color, this post is for you!

I know there are a lot of different opinions and tastes on what goes with wood and what doesn’t, but when picking out paint colors – I would leave wood in it’s natural element. Think earth tones and neutrals. You will also want to think about lighting. Also, I would try and avoid bright colors, especially yellows. The two will clash and there won’t be a harmonious feel. If you have darker wood, I would definitely choose a lighter color, something that will provide contrast and showcase the trim – because that can be art in itself.

For lighter woods, go a little darker, once again to provide contrast. If you have Honey Oak, or “orange” oak in your home, and really any type of wood, you will have to determine if you want your cabinets or trim to stand out and “pop”, or if you want your paint color to blend with the oak.

If you want the wood in your home to stand out, picking a cool paint color will give the paint and the oak a distinct contrast. Go with the purple, blue or green family. Warmer paint colors, from the red, orange and gold family, will create a welcoming feel and will give your room more of a glow. If you go with neutral colors, which I would most definitely recommend, you have the ability to not only create a harmonious feel between the paint and the wood, but you can add color elsewhere when you decorate. Neutral colors are meant to compliment just about anything, so you won’t have to worry about other colors in your home clashing with the paint.

Below I have listed some of my favorite neutrals. Colors that I believe will compliment the wood in your home.  These are meant to provide a starting point for you. Not every color will look good on your walls. Every home has different lighting, home décor and colors in general so what may look good on my walls might look terrible on yours. Just make sure to sample – that will give you the best idea of how the paint will truly look.

Another tip – most every paint brand (Benjamin Moore, Martha Stewart, Sherwin Williams, etc.) has a neutral section that you can find in their fan decks or at the actual store, with a variety of colors to choose from. That would be another great place to start if you want more choices than the ones listed below. Here are my favorite neutrals – many have been featured here at FPC and are colors that I would use if I were to paint my home today. This is where I would start.

*See more paint colors that go with wood trim and cabinets HERE