Choosing colors for your home contributes to the ambiance and adds personality. While the task seems simple, you should consider factors like whether they go well together or if it appears imbalanced. This concern is common for doors. Should the frames be the same color as the door itself, or should they match? We've looked up these questions and summed up the answers in this post.
Generally, there are no right or wrong answers when picking out colors for doors and their frames. If most furniture and décor in your home is the same color, painting the door and frame the same would maintain the style. Although it mostly depends on personal preference, here are a few tips to guide you when you're out to choose your colors:
- Make it cohesive.
- Contrast colors.
- Keep it neutral.
When considering door colors, it's essential to think about the other surrounding surfaces. These include the walls, baseboards, and even other doors within the space. Keep reading to get further insight on these points.
Should Door Frames Be Lighter Or Darker Than The Walls?
In picking a color for door frames, the second major factor is the current wall color. Choosing between a trim color lighter or darker than the walls affects the overall design.
Trim colorcan contrast with the walls if you aim to highlight different features around the home, but you can paint door frames in a similar scheme or the same color as the walls if you want to keep it minimal.
But keep in mind that not all color combinations will work. The following tips elaborate on different ways to choose colors and how it affects the room:
Make It Cohesive
Painting door frames in the same color or a similar shade makes a room seem more open. It also smooths the flow from the door trim to the walls, giving it a seamless look.
This rule also applies to colors of the same tint. For example, a warm-colored wall should go with a warm-colored trim in a close color.
Contrast Colors
When contrasting the door frame and wall color, it gives clear separation between them. It brings an opposite effect compared to using similar shades and tints.
Two ways to work with contrast colors is by making the trim lighter or darker than the walls. Lighter-colored frames brighten the room and doorway, adds elegance, and highlight distinct architectural features around a door.
Darker trims usually play as a statement piece in the room when the walls and décor consist of neutral colors. The contrast from a dark door frame adds depth and personality.
With contrasting colors, it's essential to consider the color scheme to pick a color that blends and accents the rest of the colors in a room. Consider getting insight from experts or using a color wheel as a guide.
Keep It Neutral
Neutral colors are a safe option that provides a timely and neat appearance. If your walls also come in these shades, you can easily pick out another color to go with them.
Using a neutral tint on a door frame can put a subtle emphasis on the doorway, especially with white-colored walls. If the rest of the room consists of similar tones, it gives off an intimate feeling.
If you're choosing colors for interior doors, get insight by reading this post: "Should Interior Doors Be The Same Color As The Walls?"
Do Door Frames And Baseboards Have To Match?
No, baseboards don't have to match with door frames, but they add to consistency in design and feel. Coloring them in the same tone highlights where the door goes and separates it from the walls and floor.
In most homes, baseboard colors get paired with door trims for a smooth transition. When using different colors for them, they must complement each other to maintain cohesion.
A few points to consider when deciding a color for baseboards include their size, style, and the rest of the colors surrounding them.
Baseboard Size
Wider baseboards take up large parts of the wall, meaning they may attract more attention in bolder color options or when they don't coordinate well with other interiors.
Thinner baseboards won't catch as much attention whichever way you paint them. But if you want to highlight the separation and colors of a room, consider painting it a bold or contrast color.
Baseboard Style
Style determines whether it would be best to accent a baseboard or blend it with the rest of the wall. If it has detailed features, painting a color different from the wall puts more emphasis on it.
Coloring them the same as a door frame and crown molding makes them appear more harmonious, especially if they come in similar styles.
Room Color Scheme
One of the first factors to consider when choosing baseboard color includes the room color scheme. You can use the colors already present in the room to guide you in identifying a fitting color.
Doing so also maintains balance within a room's design and overall style.
Can You Have White Door Frames With Wood Doors?
Yes, white door frames are a popular choice to match with wood doors. White lets different wooden tones look brighter or bolder, allowing them to stand out better.
Compared to other colors, you can easily pair white with doors of various tones and stains. White trim can reflect light, especially in a room with other white interiors. Thus, it makes the room look much more spacy and livelier.
Check out this post to help you pick out colors for oak doors: "Do Oak Doors Go With White Frames?"
Can Interior Doors Be Different Colors?
Yes, it's possible to paint interior doors in different colors, but it's best to keep them within the same color family. Most people don't look at all the interior doors at once, meaning you can paint specific doors differently to draw more attention to them.
However, it's crucial to consider which ones you will be painting and how far their color would be from the room's current design. Avoid making too many doors stand out at once to prevent it from feeling cluttered.
Common Interior Door Colors
A painted interior door adds to room design instead of just function, but there's a wide array of colors to choose from for it. While interior door colors vary on preference, here are a few points to consider when picking out what works best for you:
Black or White
Simple black and white doors match up with any style and can even work together. These classic options add elegance and give spaces a modern feel.
Depending on what colors you pair them with, they could add to either depth or brightness.
Earthy Shades
Experts recommend green and brown tones for people who find black or white too dull. One way around it is by going neutral.
If you're coloring each interior door differently, you can keep it within a certain scheme of earthy shades such as beige and tan or pale green and cream.
Rich Hues
Richer colors make interior doors pop and turn them into the main attraction within a space. Painting them bold tones define the room, especially in monochromatic areas.
The Verdict
Door frame colors may depend on a few points other than your personal preference, like trim and molding, door and wall color. It's possible to match door frames with these components following proper color guides and tips.
Regardless, it's not necessary to paint everything in the same shade. Although, adjusting the door frame color to complement other design factors can help with overall harmony.
