We did black trim in our living room last fall, and I totally get the thing about scratches showing. The first week, I was convinced we’d made a mistake because every time the dog brushed past or my kid tapped it with a toy, there was a mark. But after a bit of trial and error, I figured out that using a high-quality enamel paint (satin too—gloss was a disaster) helped hide most of it. I also keep a little jar of touch-up paint handy for quick fixes.
One thing I didn’t expect: dust is way more visible on dark trim than it ever was on white. If you’re in an older house like mine where things get drafty, you’ll notice it. Quick wipe-down every couple weeks seems to do the trick though.
I agree about testing samples at different times of day. Ours looked almost navy in the morning but basically black at night. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re up for a little extra cleaning, the bold look is worth it... at least in my book.
Totally get what you mean about the scratches and dust—those dark trims are unforgiving, but man, they look sharp. I did charcoal gray in my dining room a few months ago and had a similar panic at first. Kids and pets are relentless. But yeah, a little touch-up paint goes a long way, and honestly, I’ve gotten used to wiping them down every so often. It’s a bit more work, but the vibe is worth it for me too. Sometimes it’s those bold choices that end up making the space feel more “yours,” even if they come with quirks.
Charcoal gray is a bold move, for sure. I’ve seen a lot of folks worry about maintenance, especially with kids or pets in the mix. Have you noticed if the paint sheen makes a difference? Satin finishes seem to show fewer fingerprints than matte, at least in my experience. Also, did you seal the trim after painting? Sometimes a clear topcoat can help with durability, though it can change the look a bit. Just curious how you handled that part.
I actually went with a deep navy on my window trim last year—pretty close to charcoal gray vibes. Here’s what I did: cleaned and sanded, two coats of high-quality satin (I agree,
), then skipped the clear topcoat. I found it can make dark colors look plasticky, which I didn’t love. So far, satin’s held up well against my kids’ sticky hands and the dog’s nose prints. Touch-ups are easy if needed.Satin finishes seem to show fewer fingerprints than matte, at least in my experience.
That deep navy sounds sharp—nice move skipping the clear topcoat. I’ve seen a few jobs where the clear just killed the richness of a dark trim, especially under certain lights. Satin’s kind of the sweet spot for durability and hiding messes, at least in high-traffic homes. Totally agree on fingerprints; matte looks great in photos, but in real life? Every smudge shows up, especially if you’ve got kids or pets doing their thing.
One thing I’ve noticed with bold colors, especially in older houses, is you gotta watch the prep. If there’s any old caulk or uneven spots, the darker paint really highlights it. Learned that the hard way... spent way too long sanding and filling on a 1920s bungalow last fall. Worth it in the end, but definitely more work than good ol’ white.
Curious if anyone’s tried gloss on trim lately? I keep getting requests for it, but I’m still on the fence. Seems like it’d be even less forgiving with imperfections.
Tried a semi-gloss on our living room trim last winter, just because I thought it’d be easier to wipe down (kids + muddy dog paws). Honestly, every tiny bump and old nail hole stood out way more than I expected. Looked almost too “new” for our 1960s place, if that makes sense. Satin’s been way more forgiving in the other rooms—still cleans up pretty well, but hides all the little flaws I missed.