Saw an article today about how people are ditching classic white window frames for dark, even black, or bright colors. Apparently, it’s a big trend in new builds and renos lately. I’m kind of torn—black looks sharp but I wonder if it’ll feel dated in a few years, you know? Anyone tried something other than white or beige and regretted it (or loved it)? Curious where folks land on this.
We went with dark charcoal frames when we moved in last year—honestly, I was nervous at first, but they actually make the whole place feel more modern. I do wonder if it’ll look “so 2020s” in a decade, but for now, no regrets. Cleaning fingerprints is a bit more noticeable, though.
That’s funny, I had the same hesitation about going with a really deep color for our window trim. We did a sort of espresso brown about eight years ago. At the time, it felt like a big leap—most of our neighbors stuck with white or tan. But now, honestly, I still love how it frames the view and makes everything pop a bit more inside.
I do get what you’re saying about fingerprints. The darker you go, the more every smudge shows up, especially if you have kids or pets. I’ve just gotten used to keeping a microfiber cloth nearby—quick swipe every week or two seems to do the trick.
As for whether it’ll look dated, I figure everything cycles in and out eventually. Even the classic white trim was “trendy” at some point, right? Have you noticed if the darker frames make your rooms feel smaller, or does it just feel cozier? That was my one worry at first, but I think the contrast actually helps define the space.
I do get what you’re saying about fingerprints. The darker you go, the more every smudge shows up, especially if you have kids or pets.
This is exactly what I was worried about. We just moved in last year and our trim is still the standard builder white, but I’ve been eyeing some of those deep navy and charcoal colors on design blogs. I keep wondering if it’s practical for us—two young kids, one very enthusiastic dog, and honestly, I don’t see myself keeping up with constant cleaning. A weekly microfiber swipe sounds manageable, but I’m not sure how realistic that is for us long-term.
About the “cozy” vs “small” question—I’ve read a bit about color theory and how darker trims can visually “pull in” the space, but in practice I’m not convinced it actually makes rooms feel smaller unless you’re already short on natural light. Our living room gets decent sun most of the day, so maybe it’d work? I do like the idea of framing the view; right now everything just kind of blends together.
I also keep going back and forth on whether these bold trims are a fad or not. Like you said, “everything cycles in and out eventually.” It’s funny because my parents’ house has that classic 90s honey oak everywhere, which looked dated for years but now people are starting to appreciate wood again... Maybe it’s all just perspective.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned much is how paint finish plays into this. Would using a satin or semi-gloss make fingerprints less obvious than matte? Or does it just make them easier to wipe off? That part’s still unclear to me.
It’s definitely a leap from all the safe neutrals we’re used to seeing around here. Still debating if I want to be “that house” on the block with black trim—or if that’s even a bad thing anymore.
We went with black vinyl trim on our last reno—looked amazing for about six months, then the smudges and dust started driving me nuts. Satin finish definitely helps with cleanup vs matte, but it still shows more than white. Also, keep in mind, if you ever want to repaint back to a lighter color, covering dark shades is a pain (primer, multiple coats). I do think the payoff is worth it in rooms with lots of natural light, though. Just be honest about your tolerance for upkeep—if you’re already stretched thin, it might become one of those “why did I do this?” things pretty fast.
Black trim is like that cool leather jacket—looks awesome, but you’re constantly brushing off lint. I’ve installed a ton of dark window trims lately, and yeah, they make a statement, especially with big windows and sunlight pouring in. But fingerprints and dust? They’re not shy. Satin’s easier to wipe down than matte, but if you’ve got kids or pets, expect to be cleaning more often than you’d like. Repainting back to white is no joke either... primer becomes your best friend. Still, if you love the look, sometimes it’s worth the extra elbow grease.
Totally agree about the fingerprints—my black trim in the kitchen is basically a magnet for every smudge and crumb. Here’s what worked for me: I went with a semi-gloss finish, which is even easier to wipe than satin, though it does reflect more light (so imperfections can show up). When it comes to repainting, I learned the hard way that two coats of primer are non-negotiable if you want white again. Still, I keep coming back to dark trim because it just frames the windows so nicely. It’s a trade-off, but honestly, worth it if you’re up for the upkeep.
I hear you on the dark trim—nothing shows every little fingerprint like black. But honestly, I can’t help loving how it makes the windows pop. I’ve seen folks try navy or forest green too, and those seem to hide smudges a bit better (or maybe I’m just less bothered by them?). Semi-gloss is my go-to as well, though yeah, you’ll see every brush mark if you rush it. Still, even with the extra cleaning, that bold look is hard to beat.
I hear you on the dark trim—nothing shows every little fingerprint like black. But honestly, I can’t help loving how it makes the windows pop.
That’s the thing, right? I did black trim in my den a few years back and while it looked sharp at first, I swear I spent more time wiping it down than actually enjoying it. Maybe I’m just picky, but those smudges drove me nuts. Has anyone tried something like a matte finish instead of semi-gloss? Wondering if that hides the mess a bit better or just makes cleaning harder…
Matte black was a game-changer for me—definitely hides fingerprints better than gloss, but it does make cleaning a bit more of a pain. Dust clings to it, and you can’t just wipe it off quick. Still, I’d pick matte again over glossy for dark trim. Looks less harsh, too.