How to Choose the Right Colour for Woodwork (When You’re Renovating to Sell)

Woodwork might seem like a detail, but it’s a detail that frames the entire experience of a room.

Skirting boards, architraves, doors, window trims: these are the outlines of the space. They lead the eye, define the mood, and quietly signal whether the renovation was done with care or cut corners.

Too often, renovators default to “brilliant white eggshell” without questioning if it’s the right white, or whether white is even right at all.

So if you’re still defaulting to “brilliant white” as a safe bet, it’s time to think bigger.

1. The trim sets the tone

Woodwork isn’t just background, it’s visual structure. And the colour you choose can either make it sing or scream. Remember you are not choosing a woodwork colour in isolation. You’re defining tone and contrast.

High contrast trims (like white on navy) can look sharp but also make a space feel chopped up. Low contrast (like a tonal match between wall and trim) feels more polished and grown-up, especially in properties where calm, flow, and continuity are key to a premium feel.

Instead of a brilliant white, use a complementary tone, one that deepens the palette and makes the space feel cohesive.

If the walls are warm and soft (think clay, stone, greige), a stark white trim can feel too harsh and clinical.

2. Low contrast = luxury

High contrast (white trim on dark walls) can look punchy but it also chops up the room.

If you want a more high-end, gallery-style feel, especially in period properties, consider using the same colour on walls and woodwork, just in different finishes (emulsion for walls, eggshell or satin for trim).

This unified look makes rooms feel bigger and more serene (two words every estate agent loves).

The inside of the door matters and so do the edges. If you’re painting a door to match the wall, carry that tone through the edge (especially in small flats or hallways).

White doors in a coloured room can scream “builder’s finish.” But a deep, warm trim on a crisp wall? Instant elevation.

3. Choose whites carefully: not all whites are equal

Not all whites are equal. Some are cool and crisp (great with greys and blues), others are warm and creamy (better with earthy tones).

This is where lazy decorating stands out.

Brilliant white on everything can feel sterile, especially if the walls are warm or muted. If you must go white, pick one that supports the palette.

If you’re using white for the woodwork, match the undertone to the walls. That tiny detail can make the difference between “fresh” and “off.”

4. Use sheen to your advantage

Gloss is more old-school and can look dated unless used intentionally.

High gloss can look cheap unless you’re going ultra-traditional or hyper-modern.

Use eggshell or satin for trim. Eggshell or satin gives a soft sheen that’s easy to wipe and slightly reflective, perfect for doors and frames.

And if you’re painting walls and woodwork the same colour, vary the sheen to create subtle dimension.

Matte woodwork can feel modern and architectural, but it’s less practical in high-traffic homes.

5. Colour should always honour the period of the property

This part often gets ignored in fast flips, but it’s where real value is added.

Every property has a rhythm and a palette that suits its bones.

A Victorian terrace with deep skirtings and plaster coving wears darker woodwork well. Think off-blacks, olives, deep umbers. A 1930s semi with curved corners and picture rails can handle mid-toned neutrals and soft contrast. A 90s build might be better served by clean but warm whites that bring clarity without being cold.

When you pick the right colours for the era, everything feels more right, even if the buyer can’t explain why. It’s atmospheric logic.

6. Your buyer’s taste matters, but so does the house’s voice

Yes, we renovate for the buyer, that’s how we maximise profit. But smart flips don’t bulldoze character to chase trends.

Think of it as translating the property’s personality into something your ideal buyer will understand.

Ultimately, your colour choice should reflect the target buyer’s expectations.

• A first-time buyer might want modern tones, but not in a house that’s clearly Edwardian, better to meet them in the middle with moody greys or dusky greens that nod to heritage.

• A family buyer upsizing into a 30s house might feel most at home with warm taupes and chalky whites that fit both lifestyle and architecture.

• A downsizer who loves quality finishes will notice if the satinwood is the right warm white against panelled doors in a Georgian townhouse.

Final thought:

The smartest colour choices aren’t bold. They’re thoughtful.

You don’t need to be brave. You need to be intentional. The right woodwork colour supports your story. If the walls are the main actor, the trim is the script: subtle, but essential.

They show you understood both the property and the person who’ll buy it.

Get that right, and the rest sells itself.