Color Schemes with Wood Molding

Colors that Work With Medium or Dark Moldings

I love creating posts about color - the right color in a room can really change the way you feel about your home, and it is a relatively cheap and easy fix!

I have done several other posts about color. However, all of the palettes I discussed were paired with classic white molding.  What if you have wood molding? In Washington DC, row houses with dark chestnut molding are not uncommon. The molding has a beautiful pronounced grain and was originally stained dark. Today I am going to talk about colors that work with both the dark wood molding and those that coordinate with the wood molding when it has been stripped and returned to its' natural color.

Colors That Coordinate with Dark Wood Moldings

There is always an important caveat when it comes to color - LIGHT! How much light a room gets will dramatically effect how a color looks. If you have dark moldings pair them with light colors to avoid an oppressive environment. Also, make sure the paint is a flat finish. This balances nicely with the sheen on the dark moldings. All of the colors I use are by Benjamin Moore unless otherwise specified.

The Best White - Ballet White, OC-9

      

This color lends itself to dark browns and blacks. It has enough depth to insure it is not boring.

Gray - Gray Cashmere, 2138- 60

   

This gray has a strong green undertone. It is also looks great with black.

One more gray - Revere Pewter HC-172

   

This gray is darker than Gray Cashmere and has nice tinge of brown, very sophisticated.

 Cream - Bone White INT. RM  

 
The name may say white but this is really a very light yellow. It looks great with dark mahogany and walnut wood tones.

Colors That Coordinate With Yellow Undertone Wood Moldings

Natural Chestnut moldings have a yellow undertone and a very different look from the dark stained moldings. While neutrals look best with the dark moldings, the natural chestnut lends itself well to cool colors that balance the yellow undercurrents.

Light green - Guilford Green HC-116
 
 
Blue - Quiet Moments

    

In homes with natural wood moldings, these moldings are a dominant feature. Choosing a paint palette or color scheme that compliments them can be difficult. Remember to take the amount of light your rooms receive into consideration and lean toward colors that have a gray undertone, not pure tone colors. Pure tone colors tend to compete with the natural wood moldings.