Effective paint use has long been the design world’s great equalizer. Sure, there are high-end paint brands that have a little something special in them, but at the end of the day, paint is paint. (Sorry to break your heart, fancy paint-lovers! It’s just the truth.) It really just comes down to choosing the right paint colors for the space. One of the best ways to use paint effectively? Contrast trim! This high-impact hack upgrades any room for just the cost of a gallon of paint and has always been a designer-approved way to add color to any home. Below, I dive into exactly what contrast trim is and how to do it well. For More On Decorating With Color:What is Contrast Trim?Max Kim-BeeThe idea behind contrast trim is pretty simple: It’s painting the millwork (decorative wood trim) of a space a different color than the walls. (Some examples of millwork include baseboards, crown molding, window trim, wainscoting, and even built-in features such as china cabinets and bookcases.)While it has long been common practice to choose a trim color that is a slightly darker version of the wall color or to just paint it all white, there are so many more ways to use contrast trim to make a real design—and color!—statement.How to Choose a Contrast Trim ColorFor the best results, pull the paint color for the contrast trim from your room’s existing color palette found in the upholstery, pillows, rug, artwork, wallpaper, etc. If you're totally lost, don’t worry. Effective color use is honed over time and designers spend decades perfecting their paint picks. There is one tried-and-true hack though, that makes choosing the perfect paint color simple every time and it goes all the way back to elementary school art classes. When in doubt, look to the color wheel—yes, the good ol’ fashioned color wheel—and pick the color opposite the wall’s predominant shade. It really is that simple—well, that is until you start looking at all those paint samples. (This list of the top 100 paint colors will make that search a whole lot easier!) Regardless of what you choose, the key is to pick a shade that is noticeable—no white or gray here, please.Lastly, painting your contrast trim in a paint of a different finish—usually a little glossier—will make it really pop. (Learn more about the different paint finishes.) For More on Picking a Paint Color: Examples of Contrast Trim Max Kim-Bee for Country LivingThis colorful living room is in a converted schoolhouse! The bold contrast trim color was inspired by the curtain and chair fabrics. (See more of the home here.) Read McKendree for Country LivingThis moody green was chosen to complement the bed’s woolen throw blanket. Eric PiaseckiInterior designer Barbara Westbrook chose this captivating blue-green paint color show off the unique architecture of this guest room. (See more of the home here.)Annie SchlechterDesigner Philip Mitchell proves complementary saturated shades will always have the power to transform a room. Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.