Black Doors White Trim: A Striking Look for Interior and Exterior
Black doors white trim creates a look that is stylish but also classic. It is not as simple to pair just any white with any black.
According to Real Simple, “[t]he painted door look, especially when paired with a lighter surrounding trim and wall paint, is striking and dramatic.” Nothing creates that drama better than the contrasting tones of black and white.
We are going to take you through some great color combinations to help you nail the black door white trim look every time.
Black Door White Trim Pros and Cons
If you still need to consider the black-and-white combination, here are a couple of thoughts to help you decide if this is a good choice for you.
Pros:
- Stylish Look – It is undeniable that black doors with white trim are having a moment. Black paint on a door is a chic look that can make your doors look more custom than standard builder’s grade doors.
- Versatile – Black doors with white trim is a versatile look that looks right at home in modern farmhouse to contemporary design.
- Focal Point – Black doors in white trim create a focal point for your exterior and interior spaces.
Cons:
- Visible Damage – Scratches are more visible on black doors than on lighter doors.
- Trendy – Interior black doors is a style that looks great now and shows no sign of fading. But, all trends come to an end. The thing that is most important is if you love this look enough to keep it when it isn’t the “in” look of the time.
Black and White Paint Details
True black and white are not colors in the strict sense of the word, but we use them in this sense all the time.
In most home decorating, we use shades of these tones that are not black and white in their pure form.
That is what makes these tones so difficult to pair in the right way. Understanding some of the factors that go into making these colors helps you choose colors that suit your needs.
Light Reflectance Value
One of the most important things to understand about color is their Light Reflectance Value or LRV. This is a number that signifies the amount of visible or usable light that is reflected from its surface when it is illuminated by a light source.
- True black has a LRV of 0 because it does not reflect any light.
- True white has an LRV of 100 because it reflects all light back.
All the black and white hues created by paint companies have small amounts of other colors added to make them more nuanced.
The better you understand LRV of a certain color, the more you will be able to find what you want. For example, if you want a color that is close to true black, choose a paint with a LRV that is as close to 0 as you can find. Likewise for a true white.
Look for an LRV of close to 100. If you want something more muted, choose an LRV that reflects that.
The Right Sheen of Paint
The sheen of the paint is another measure of how much light is reflected in the surface. Paints that have more enamel in their composition have a higher sheen. This means that they are easier to clean and more durable. It is important to choose the right sheen for the location you plan to paint.
- Gloss – This type of paint has the highest sheen and reflects the most light. It is common to use gloss paint on woodwork like doors, cabinets, and furniture. Many people love gloss paint for doors because it is the most durable. This means that you can wipe it down without destroying the finish. The downside with gloss is that it shows imperfections the most.
- Semi-Gloss – This sheen still reflects light but not as much as gloss. It is the best for trim work because you can still wipe it down, but it does not look as formal as high-gloss paint.
- Satin – Satin is a paint with just a touch of sheen. If the finish on your doors and trim will need to be durable, but they have flaws that you need to cover, satin paint is a good choice.
- Flat or Matte – Flat paint covers imperfections well, but it is not durable. Therefore, if your area endures much wear and tear, flat paint is not a good choice. It is not common to use flat paint on doors or trim because of this reason.
Black Door White Trim Color Combinations
Here is a list of some combinations that you can be sure will look amazing.
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black 6258 and Ice Cube 6252
Tricorn Black is one of the most popular color choices for black doors. It is a great neutral black with few undertones. It has an LVR of 3, so it is a true and deep color that reflects little light. Ice Cube is a cool off-white. It has gray undertones and is crisp and clean. It has a LVR of 77.
Benjamin Moore Black HC-190 and Chantilly Lace OC-65
This combination is the closest to a true black and true white in this list. Benjamin Moore’s Black is part of their historic selection of colors.
This is a deep neutral that is perfect if you want a true dark black door paint with few undertones. It has a LRV of 2.48.
Chantilly Lace is one of the most popular white colors with interior designers and home decorators alike. It is close to pure white but it has a touch of yellow and green to warm it up. It has an LVR of 92.2.
Farrow & Ball Railings No.31 and Blackened No. 2011
If you are in the market for a softer black or dark gray and more creamy white, consider these Farrow & Ball selections. Railings is a soft black with blue undertones. It has a LRV of 6.24. Blackened is a cool white with a hint of gray. It looks like white that has been left to age over time. It has an LRV of 72.
Sherwin William Iron Ore 7069 and Extra White 7006
This combination pairs a lighter-toned black (or dark gray) with a brighter and crisper white than some on this list. Iron Ore is a soft black with a green undertone, so it reads as a warm paint. It has an LRV of 6.
Extra White is one of Sherwin Williams brightest whites. Though, because it has neutral undertones, it maintains a good balance between warm and cool. It has an LRV of 86.
Benjamin Moore Soot 2129-20 and Icicle OC-60
This combination pairs a mild black with a warm creamy white. This is perfect if you want a black and white with a more aged look.
Soot from Benjamin Moore is a moody black with blue undertones. It is one of the darkest on the list (right above Tricorn Black) with an LRV of 4. Icicle is a soft white with gray-green neutral undertones. It has a LRV of 84.
Black Door White Trim Designs
We have gathered some varied examples of ways that you can create a distinct look with a black door and white trim.
Black Door With White Trim and Gray Siding
The Works remodeled this craftsman-style house. They used a black exterior french door with black sidelights and transoms. They added creamy, off-white trim to highlight the black doors and windows.
They used a moody gray siding to keep the look sophisticated and modern.
To create the most contrast, look for a deep black like Tricorn Black SW 6258. If you want a lighter white to complement it, go with Pure White SW 7005.
Black Interior Doors
Painting interior doors black and using white trim is a classic look. Consider this bedroom from Making it Lovely. They paint these classic five-paneled doors with a deep black paint.
They add distinctive brass hardware to complete the sophisticated look. If you like this look, choose a deep black like Black HC – 190 from Benjamin Moore with a close to true white like Chantilly Lace OC – 65.
Black Door White Trim
White trim around black doors makes the door stand out more. It is also less trouble to blend white trim with the rest of the trim in your home.
Painted black doors like this one from the Toronto Interior Design Group look amazing with a high gloss paint.
They used an off-black tone for this door. If you like this look, use a lighter black/dark gray similar to Railings No. 31 from Farrow & Ball.
Interior Doors Painted Black
You don’t have to stop with black interior doors with white trim. Continue the look as Marcusse Construction did in this stylish mudroom with the painted shiplap.
Use a dark black to heighten the contrast between white trim black doors. Or, use a more nuanced black like Soot 2129-20 for a black with a cool blue undertone.
Entry Black Door With White Trim
Black entry doors with white trim look stunning on their own or complementing your other exterior doors.
The right black door will help your home look more chic and sophisticated. Choose a deep black like Black Magic SW 6991 from Sherwin Williams or an off-black like Iron Ore SW 7069. Either way, you can’t go wrong with black.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Should I use black doors with white trim or black doors with black trim?
Black doors with white trim and black doors with black trim both can look amazing. It depends on the look you want to create and the color of your surrounding trim. If you paint the door and the surrounding trim black, you focus attention on these elements. If you have interesting molding on your trim and doors, this would be a great way to emphasize them. If you want a more minimal look, choose to just paint your doors black and your trim white. This way, the trim throughout your home is more cohesive.
Do black doors with white trim work well on interior and exterior space?
Yes, this style looks great in both interior and exterior spaces.
What should I look for when pairing black and white paint colors?
If you are unsure about a good black and white combination, you should go with the tried and true. The easiest way to do this is by pairing warm blacks with warm whites and cool blacks with cool whites. Warm blacks and whites have a pink, yellow, or beige undertone. Cool blacks and whites have a blue or purple undertone. The easiest way to see this is to lay a paint chip on a bright white piece of paper. The undertone becomes much clearer on a stark white background. Also, look at pairings from paint companies themselves. Each black has a complementing white tone.
What color walls should I use with black doors and white trim?
This depends on the look you want. Most colors look great with this combination. Try a bold paint color like blue or green or if you want a simple look, go with gray or beige. You can’t go wrong with a combination like black doors and white trim.
Conclusion
Whether you want a traditional or a modern look, black doors with white trim are a classic combination. It can be difficult to choose the best pairing to work for your space.
Don’t hesitate to get paint swatches and samples to try them out in small spaces before you invest your time and money.
There are so many great combinations that you can be sure to find one that will work for you.