While you won’t need to deliberate on the molding paint color as much as you will for the wall color, this accent paint impacts the look of the room and requires some thought. You and your interior painter can create the best result by following a few simple rules. Use the guide below to choose the right paint for your molding.

How to Select the Right Paint for Your Molding

1. Avoid Gloss

Most interior painters recommend using a semi-gloss or satin paint for your molding. It provides nice durability without the harshness of a gleaming option. Too much gloss in the finish or metallic in the color will look strange in certain lights, making it appear that you painted unevenly or missed spots. The small level of shine in the semi-gloss or satin finish makes your moldings easier to clean and keeps dirt from adhering to the surface.

2. Use Dark vs. Light Wisely

Use lighter colors on molding closer to the ceiling with darker colors on areas closer to the floor. Light molding high up will make the room appear larger and the ceiling higher than it is. Darker tones lower to the floor will help cover dirt that’s kicked onto the molding from pets or feet. It will also blend better into the wall, which will keep the eye from being drawn downward.

3. Consider Undertones

Use the same undertones in the molding color as you do for the wall hue; this will give the room an attractive and cohesive look. For example, if your wall falls within the beige, yellow, or red area of the spectrum, then choose a similar warm note for the molding. If your room has a cool hue, such as blue, green, or purple, opt to match with that range. If you’re not sure what undertone the paint has, show the color swatch to your interior painter, and they can advise you.

The team at Harbour Painting have provided quality craftsmanship for New London County and the surrounding areas since 1977. Their interior painters focus on every detail down to the finishing touches that make subtle yet vital changes to the room’s appearance. Read some testimonials online to know what to expect, and call (860) 444-0705 to request free painting quotes and a consultation.