Paint Your Trim Freshen Your Interior Design

Step 1 - Choose the Color

Trim colors don't follow any standard; you can choose any shade you like. Pick different colors to match the existing themes of each room. A color that accents the walls will create a cohesive look. Choose a contrasting shade to make the colors look bolder and brighter. Pick white or off-white if you want to make the walls stand out more and give the whole room a clean look.

Step 2 - Clear the Walls and Protect the Room

Move all furniture and cords at least 24 inches away from the wall so you can access the trim. You don't want to start painting and then stop to re-arrange the room. If necessary, move items out of the room entirely to give yourself enough space to work.

Place a drop cloth on the floor to keep paint off flooring and furnishings while you work.

Extra Tip: If you don't have a drop cloth big enough to cover the entire room, place it on the floor beneath one wall at a time, moving it as you complete each wall.

Step 3 - Clean and Prep

Before painting the trim, existing paint or stain must be removed. This can be done with a paint scraper, but keep your touch gentle. Applying the scraper with too much force will create nicks and dings in the trim.

Extra Tip: Apply non-toxic paint thinner to the trim first to make paint removal easier. Apply the thinner on with a clean brush. Scrape it and paint away at the same time.

Use sandpaper to remove last traces of paint or stain. Clean all the trim with a wet cloth after it's been sanded to remove sawdust. Look for any cracks or holes in the trim, and fill them with caulk and/or spackle. Allow that to dry before painting.

Step 4 - Tape

Use blue painter's tape and carefully place it on the walls, just above the trim. The tape will keep the trim color from getting on your walls. Painting your trim is all about precision and detail, like the pinstripes on a car, so take your time to make the tape even, straight and wrinkle free. A good job here makes all the difference.

Step 5 - Prime and Paint

Use a brush to apply your primer, and allow that to dry completely before painting on the trim color. A 2-inch brush should be wide enough for the trim; any wider and you may paint the floor and wall as well. Get a primer-and-paint blend in order to eliminate a step.

Extra Tip: Allow trim to dry completely before you decide whether to apply a second coat. Paint always looks different when it dries.

Step 6 - Finish

Remove the tape while the paint is still wet to avoid creating chips. Pull the tape from the wall very slowly. Otherwise, you may damage the wall beneath the tape.

Paint trim in one area of the home at a time, and in a few days (or a few weekends) everything will look fresher and more colorful. You won't need a lot of paint to cover all the trim in the home, but you will get a lot of "wow" factor for what you spend on the project.