Short answer
For a modern look, use slim, square-edged flat casing about 2-1/2 in wide, mitered at the head, or a flat casing with a slight bevel. The most minimal option is no casing at all, which takes special drywall detailing. Painting the casing the same color as the wall (color drenching) is a low-cost way to make existing trim feel modern.
Four ways to go modern
| Option | Looks | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Slim square casing | A crisp flat frame | Easy to buy, needs tight miters |
| Flat casing, beveled | Flat with a soft chamfer | Easy; the bevel hides small gaps |
| Color-drenched trim | Trim fades into the wall | Paint only; works with existing casing |
| No casing (trimless) | Opening is just a clean edge | Hard; plan before drywall |
This Old House lists flat casing with no profile, a flat-mitered beveled version, and ultra-narrow or no trim as the minimalist options, and suggests color drenching for a seamless, contemporary look.
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01Crisp
Slim square casing
Best for: clean modern rooms with flush doors
- Typical size
- 1/2 x 2-1/2 in
- Edges
- Square
- Joint
- Mitered
- The thinnest common choice that still covers the jamb joint
- Primed MDF gives the smoothest paint face
- Miters must close: there is no detail to hide a gap
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02Budget
Flat 1x stock, mitered
Best for: modern farmhouse and transitional rooms
- Size
- 3/4 x 2-1/2 or 3-1/2 in
- Edges
- Eased
- Joint
- Mitered or butted
- Cheap and widely stocked as primed boards
- Ease the edges with a sanding block for durability
- Thicker than slim casing, so check it against your baseboard
Get the details right
- Keep the reveal consistent. On a plain band the eye reads every change. Use a gauge or a marked block (Fine Homebuilding uses 3/16 in).
- Pick the baseboard first. A slim casing needs a slim, square baseboard so the base does not stand proud of the casing edge.
- Use a harder sheen on trim. Even color-drenched trim gets touched; satin or semi-gloss wipes clean. More in how to paint door trim.
- Hardware matters. Flush doors with long pulls or slim levers complete the look.
Comparing styles? See door casing styles, or run the style picker.
Questions people ask
What is the most modern door trim?
Flat casing with square edges, kept slim, or no casing at all. This Old House lists flat casing with no profile, flat-mitered casing for a beveled effect, and ultra-narrow or no trim as the minimalist options.
Can you have a door with no trim?
Yes. Trimless or casingless doorways finish the drywall right to the jamb, usually with a metal or plastic reveal bead. It takes careful framing and finishing, and it is far easier to plan before drywall goes up than to retrofit.
Should modern trim be painted the same color as the walls?
It can be. Painting trim the same color as the walls, sometimes called color drenching, gives a seamless, contemporary look (This Old House). Use a tougher sheen on the trim than on the wall.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Profiles, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, and follow the maker’s instructions.