Black is technically a neutral so it can be paired with any color you choose. Black trim is most often paired with lighter walls, though. Since budget is an issue perhaps think about what you can do for free to "brighten" up the space:

Rearrange the furniture or maybe remove some pieces for a lighter look. A cluttered space often seems smaller and duller than it really is. Less stuff allows you to show more room - which means light can bounce around unimpeded by a bunch of stuff.

Re-purpose lamps from other areas of the house. If there's one room in particular that needs more light borrow light from other areas.

Do you have any larger sized mirrors that you can position opposite a window? That does wonders to both brighten and enlarge a space.

Here's an ideabook about black trimming, doors, etc. with some nice photos. Maybe it will give you some ideas:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/design-2011-black-casework-doors-and-cabinetry-stsetivw-vs~166618

Black trims have their place in design, but it's not to everyone's taste. Perhaps just adding more lighting in the room that you feel is dark will solve the issue.

I would stick with the high contrast combinations of black and white, cream, or beige. It really is an elegant and dramatic look to have black trim and doors paired with neutrals. You can have punches of color with rugs and textiles.


Hope that helps. Charmean Neithart

Bringing in some black accents (pillow trim, lamp bases, frames, etc.) will help tie in the black trim and make it look like a deliberate design feature.