Decorating
Decorating: How to Make Your Skirting Boards Stand Out Beautifully
Don’t just paint your skirting boards white – turn them into a design feature with these stylish ideas
We’re used to treating skirting boards as a necessary but uninspiring element in our homes – an essential division between wall and floor, and a board up against which we can confidently mop or vacuum. But why not make the most of these stretches of woodwork and turn them into a design feature, as you might a cornice? From employing them to guide the eye through a space to using them to add a ribbon of bright colour, check out these ideas for smart skirtings with a stylish twist.
Lead the eye with dark paint
Dark-hued, dramatic skirting boards are an effective design tool in a long, skinny hallway. The eye is naturally drawn to the darker bands of colour as they travel around the corners and curves, leading the focus to the far end of the space. Keep the walls and ceiling pale for the best effect.
Dark-hued, dramatic skirting boards are an effective design tool in a long, skinny hallway. The eye is naturally drawn to the darker bands of colour as they travel around the corners and curves, leading the focus to the far end of the space. Keep the walls and ceiling pale for the best effect.
Add a streak of colour
A daring flash of colour and your skirting boards can be as valuable a design accessory as your choice of cushions and lampshades. This vibrant ribbon of lime green is a plucky choice that really adds uplifting energy to this white and wood room.
A daring flash of colour and your skirting boards can be as valuable a design accessory as your choice of cushions and lampshades. This vibrant ribbon of lime green is a plucky choice that really adds uplifting energy to this white and wood room.
Light them up
Simple, robust skirting boards not only balance the architectural proportions of a space, they can be embedded with LEDs to create a subtle wash of light across the floor. Paint walls and woodwork in the same colour to enhance the fluid, airy ambience.
Discover brilliant ideas for lighting your staircase
Simple, robust skirting boards not only balance the architectural proportions of a space, they can be embedded with LEDs to create a subtle wash of light across the floor. Paint walls and woodwork in the same colour to enhance the fluid, airy ambience.
Discover brilliant ideas for lighting your staircase
Go for one colour
A single colour used on walls and woodwork creates a strong, unfussy look: this beautiful washed amethyst hue is calm and composed. The all-over shade makes the hallway appear larger than it is, as there are no contrasting skirting boards to break up the planes of colour.
A single colour used on walls and woodwork creates a strong, unfussy look: this beautiful washed amethyst hue is calm and composed. The all-over shade makes the hallway appear larger than it is, as there are no contrasting skirting boards to break up the planes of colour.
Double up
It’s not often you come across a two-tone skirting board, but the double layer of colour here certainly enhances the plain white wall and transforms the skirting board into a real design feature. Stick to simple monochrome shades or the look might become too fussy.
It’s not often you come across a two-tone skirting board, but the double layer of colour here certainly enhances the plain white wall and transforms the skirting board into a real design feature. Stick to simple monochrome shades or the look might become too fussy.
Do a paint job
In a new-build dwelling devoid of original woodwork (or with very thin panels), simply re-create skirting boards with a steady hand, a pot of paint and a spirit level (there’s no room for wobbly paintwork with something so visible). These charcoal strips and edgings emphasise the series of archways in this cavernous hallway and add a pleasing accent of on-trend dark grey.
In a new-build dwelling devoid of original woodwork (or with very thin panels), simply re-create skirting boards with a steady hand, a pot of paint and a spirit level (there’s no room for wobbly paintwork with something so visible). These charcoal strips and edgings emphasise the series of archways in this cavernous hallway and add a pleasing accent of on-trend dark grey.
Enhance the elegance
Elegant, half-height wall panels elevate the humble skirting board into a different league. If you’re lucky enough to have original panelling, paint it in a slightly darker tone than the walls and let the authentic beauty speak for itself. If not, cheat with mouldings and a dado rail fixed above the skirting board for a similar effect.
Read ways to gently bring a Victorian home into the 21st century
Elegant, half-height wall panels elevate the humble skirting board into a different league. If you’re lucky enough to have original panelling, paint it in a slightly darker tone than the walls and let the authentic beauty speak for itself. If not, cheat with mouldings and a dado rail fixed above the skirting board for a similar effect.
Read ways to gently bring a Victorian home into the 21st century
Pick out pastels
This is a quirky twist on a straightforward paint job. Choose two of your favourite chalky pastels and paint walls in a single pretty hue and skirting boards and door frames in an earthier, contrasting shade. Who needs wallpaper when plain paint can look this fabulous?
TELL US…
How have you decorated your skirting boards? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
This is a quirky twist on a straightforward paint job. Choose two of your favourite chalky pastels and paint walls in a single pretty hue and skirting boards and door frames in an earthier, contrasting shade. Who needs wallpaper when plain paint can look this fabulous?
TELL US…
How have you decorated your skirting boards? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
This thick band of soft grey skirting beautifully highlights the delicate details in the patterned wallpaper. A white skirting board could have made the paper look dull, but the clever use of soft colour brings it alive and help give this dining room a delicate appeal.
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