If you’re refurbishing your home, you probably didn’t think about the small design features you’ll need to make along the way. Skirting boards may seem like a minor decision, but they completely transform the look and style of a room. Whether they’re the same colour as your floor or match your cornices, it’s good to know the different styles and materials out there. And if you’re new to the world of skirting, let us help you choose the right one.

Your skirting board dictionary

There are lots of technical terms you might not have heard before, so here’s a list to make your life easier.

Skirting board – a wooden board that runs along the bottom of a wall

Cornice – a cornice is the decorative moulding at the top part of the wall

Coving – a wooden board that runs along the top of the ceiling

Architrave – conceals the coving or minimises movement between the wall

Profile – a type of skirting board design

green walls, herringbone floor and grey sofa Painswick Paradise Oak with Torus Skirting Boards

Choosing the right height

Tall or short, there are a few things to think about when choosing the right height for your skirting board. Think about how tall your walls are and the thickness of your architraves and cornices. It’s so much better when everything matches!

The standard skirting board height is between 120mm and 145mm. You'll often find these sizes in most hardware shops, but you can have skirting boards made to measure. They may cost you a little more though!

Top tip – follow the golden rule of skirting board height and make sure you go for a skirting board that’s  1/18th of the height of your wall.  

Which material should I choose?

Over the years, your skirting boards can get bumped, scratched and dented from swinging doors, unlicensed toy cars and ruthless furry friends. Whether you're replacing them, changing them, or adding them to your new home, it’s good to know what options are out there.

Hardwood

From light oak to walnut, hardwood skirting boards are the answer to adding definition and style to your home. There’s lots to love about hardwood skirting boards. They are durable, easy to maintain and add a touch of luxury to your home. You can choose from different measurements and features, so you get the right one to match your home style as well as the architraves and cornices.

We offer a limited range of hardwood skirting boards that will perfectly complement your hardwood floor. Choose between solid oak and walnut, along with a finish of your choice. You can pair hardwood skirting boards with engineered wood too!

Hardwood skirting boards look just as good with laminate and vinyl flooring. Most laminate and vinyl flooring look like real wood, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference!

white skirting board, herringbone floor and white radiator with brass pipes Painswick Swift Oak with Victorian Skirting Boards

MDF

MDF is great for so many reasons. It’s constructed of recycled wood, then compressed together to form a wooden board, making it one of the most affordable and durable options of skirting boards on the market.

Unlike hardwood, MDF has no natural knots and grains. Its smooth surface means you can paint or gloss the skirting boards to your taste.

Most come prefinished with white paint, perfect for those who want a modern and minimal look.

We would always recommend solid wood skirting boards if you have a wooden floor for your home, but MDF is just as brilliant. They look good with laminate, LVT and hardwood flooring.

Choosing the right colour

White is the new black

Is there a certain colour that springs to mind when you think about skirting boards? The answer is usually white.

White skirting boards are great. They make a room look clean and they complement any interior style. But they also act as a great base for you to paint over them. But it's also great to introduce a second colour. For many years, the classic colour for interior mouldings has always been white or cream. Homeowners are now stepping out of their comfort zone and painting their skirting boards a different colour to create a different effect. Let's take a look.

Continuity colours

Painting your skirting boards the same colour as your wall has many benefits. Firstly, it creates a seamless design that will make your home feel bigger and more spacious. You'll usually see this in open-plan homes, like kitchens and dining areas. Secondly, it creates a blank canvas for you to create a focal point in your home. It could be a feature on your wall or a bright piece of furniture.

Colour contrast

Navy, green or grey, bold colours always stand out. But why not introduce a second? Painting your skirting boards a different colour to your walls creates balance, like navy blue and mustard yellow. Some homeowners like to paint the mouldings around their doors the same as their skirting boards which helps the colour contrast between the walls and skirting. It also helps your home look modern too!

And if you're looking for new ways to modernise your home, take a look at our blog post that will help you with floors, colour and interior.

Can you paint straight onto skirting boards?

If you have a hardwood skirting board, it needs to be treated with wood primer and knotting solution before you paint over it. If it’s already been pre-treated, give it a good clean with a paper towel and some mild soap.

Top Tip – Before you paint your skirting boards, run a strip of masking tape along the floor to avoid any accidental spillages.

modern home with herringbone floor, rectangular fire place and mounted TV Painswick Wheat Oak with Torus Skirting Boards

Which profile will look good in my home?

Whether you’re replacing your existing skirting boards or adding them to a new property, the profile (shape) can really enhance the overall look of your home. Take into consideration the style of your home and how old your property is.

Don’t just choose a classic one if you have a Victorian home, go for a skirting board that will enhance the original features like the doors and cornices. Your interior and colour theme can play a big part too. If you have a gorgeous chesterfield sofa, complement it with an Edwardian style skirting board.

Bullnose

Simple and modern. Bullnose profiles are similar to the square edge. They provide a clean finish to any home and look great in kitchens and conservatories.

Victorian 

Victorian skirting boards are timeless. They are a little bigger than modern skirting boards, so they fit well in homes with high ceilings. Your home doesn’t have to be traditional if you want Victorian skirting, they look just as good in modern homes but with an added touch of luxury.

Ogee 

The original gangster of skirting boards. Classic and traditional. Ogee skirting boards are still one of the most popular choices in homes today, with their distinctive curved profile and straight edges it’s able to adapt to different homes and interior styles.

Pencil round

Pencil round skirting boards boast simplicity while being practical and easy to maintain. They’re popular in offices and commercial buildings. They are one of the most affordable skirting profiles which is a bonus if you’re renovating on a budget!

Torus

Torus skirting boards add a distinctive look to any room. They feature a round semi-circle along the top of the moulding, adding a contemporary touch to your home. They will look great fitted in your bedroom and landing area!


We hope this has given you some inspiration when you pick your skirting boards! If you’re removing them, take a look at our blog on how to remove the old flooring. It has useful tips on removing skirting boards and beading!

Make sure to tag us in your Instagram posts using #myluxuryfloor. We can’t wait to see how those skirting boards look with your floor!