Interior Design
9 Eye-Catching Skirting Designs
Skirting can be modern and minimal or tall and dramatic. Here's how to find one that completes the style of your home
How often have you considered skirting (also known as baseboard) design? Chances are not that often. But if you’re renovating your home, small details like skirting and other trim are what form a cohesive, thoughtful design that will make you happy you invested in the project to begin with.
Here are nine skirting design ideas to consider, no matter what your style.
Here are nine skirting design ideas to consider, no matter what your style.
This style works well in homes that lean toward modern but without going 100 per cent minimalist. Flat skirting add a sense of maturity and richness to the walls without being fussy. This look works especially well with skirting that are a bit tall – at least 15 centimetres or even much higher – to give a sense of weight despite being so slim.
Flat skirting aren’t only for airy all-white spaces either. The style makes a perfect counterpoint to a richly patterned wallpaper.
The walls shown here are a little busy, so keeping other details very simple helps the space feel tidy and crisp. The deep white skirting provides a bit of a visual break, rather than fighting for attention.
The walls shown here are a little busy, so keeping other details very simple helps the space feel tidy and crisp. The deep white skirting provides a bit of a visual break, rather than fighting for attention.
2. Tastefully tailored rectangular skirting
Similar to the previous idea, rectangular skirting use clean-lined silhouettes without any rounded edges, but with a little more complexity than the completely flat style.
Similar to the previous idea, rectangular skirting use clean-lined silhouettes without any rounded edges, but with a little more complexity than the completely flat style.
Rectangular skirting with thin groove details, or simple stepped skirting like this example (with one or more changes in depth as it rises up the wall), are less austere than completely flat skirting but still carry a very modern sensibility that works well in contemporary and transitional spaces.
In both of these examples, the rectangular skirting are paired with a textural wall treatment and some classic finishes (parquet floors, antiqued mirror) that balance modern and traditional elements seamlessly.
In both of these examples, the rectangular skirting are paired with a textural wall treatment and some classic finishes (parquet floors, antiqued mirror) that balance modern and traditional elements seamlessly.
3. Eye-catching built-up skirting
While it’s possible to find very deep skirting (30 centimetres and higher), it’s also quite possible to create a similar effect by creatively combining thinner strips.
While it’s possible to find very deep skirting (30 centimetres and higher), it’s also quite possible to create a similar effect by creatively combining thinner strips.
The trick is to use a base strip and a top strip but leave an uncovered stretch of wall in between that will appear to be part of the skirting when the area is painted out.
The effect works best when the ‘skirting’ is finished differently from the rest of the wall, either because the two areas are painted a different colour or the wall uses a wallpaper above the skirting line.
The difference can be subtle, and the eye will still see the entire area from the lower skirting strip to the upper strip as one piece. Only on very close inspection could anyone tell whether the middle section of the skirting is ‘real’ or not.
The difference can be subtle, and the eye will still see the entire area from the lower skirting strip to the upper strip as one piece. Only on very close inspection could anyone tell whether the middle section of the skirting is ‘real’ or not.
4. Gleaming glam metal skirting
Here’s an uncommon but really cool concept. Stainless steel and other metal sheeting can make a functional skirting while adding a bit of shine to your home. The metal skirting shown here coordinates well with the concrete floor, picking up on the grey tones and industrial, architectural flair and echoing the other subtle metallic accents in the room for a sense of rhythm and continuity.
Here’s an uncommon but really cool concept. Stainless steel and other metal sheeting can make a functional skirting while adding a bit of shine to your home. The metal skirting shown here coordinates well with the concrete floor, picking up on the grey tones and industrial, architectural flair and echoing the other subtle metallic accents in the room for a sense of rhythm and continuity.
5. Architectural yet inviting taupe and grey skirting
Sometimes architectural details like door profiles and window trim are key features that make a room feel rich and welcoming. Painting your skirting and other trim a subdued neutral shade calls attention to these details without overwhelming them, so what you notice is the interesting shapes and silhouettes.
10 tips for adding attitude to neutrals
Sometimes architectural details like door profiles and window trim are key features that make a room feel rich and welcoming. Painting your skirting and other trim a subdued neutral shade calls attention to these details without overwhelming them, so what you notice is the interesting shapes and silhouettes.
10 tips for adding attitude to neutrals
This room feels thoughtful, tranquil and inviting, thanks in part to the warmth of the grey-beige colour, and also to the sense of consistency given by the trim all being one consistent, subtle shade.
6. Smart and sleek flush skirting
This is a special type of installation that typically has to be planned before or during construction and installed by a professional. But the result comes off luxurious and sophisticated while staying understated.
Essentially, flush skirting are not installed as a layer on top of the drywall as with typical skirting. These are installed separately below the drywall so the two sit flush with each other, with a small ‘reveal’ gap between them.
This is a special type of installation that typically has to be planned before or during construction and installed by a professional. But the result comes off luxurious and sophisticated while staying understated.
Essentially, flush skirting are not installed as a layer on top of the drywall as with typical skirting. These are installed separately below the drywall so the two sit flush with each other, with a small ‘reveal’ gap between them.
This creates a modern effect similar to flat skirting but even more sleek. It’s a very subtle detail that many would never notice, but it reflects a level of craftsmanship that some design fans will really appreciate.
7. Bold and artistic painted-out skirting
This sort of look is certainly not for those who are averse to rich colour. But if you do love a bold hue for your walls, take the colour all the way down to the floor rather than break it up with a white or neutral skirting. This creates an artistic effect that refuses to be tamed.
This sort of look is certainly not for those who are averse to rich colour. But if you do love a bold hue for your walls, take the colour all the way down to the floor rather than break it up with a white or neutral skirting. This creates an artistic effect that refuses to be tamed.
You can see in this example that the same pearlescent pink shade runs all the way from the skirting up to the crown moulding and onto the ceiling.
This singular colour statement actually helps the pink colour fade into the background a little bit, so the even-more-colourful art and furnishings can steal some attention.
This singular colour statement actually helps the pink colour fade into the background a little bit, so the even-more-colourful art and furnishings can steal some attention.
8. Solid as a rock stone and tile
In many homes in hotter climates, stone and tile skirting have been common for centuries. In American homes, the look is most commonly seen in kitchens and bathrooms, but it is functional and stylish enough to make sense in many other rooms.
In many homes in hotter climates, stone and tile skirting have been common for centuries. In American homes, the look is most commonly seen in kitchens and bathrooms, but it is functional and stylish enough to make sense in many other rooms.
Anywhere you might expect the occasional spilled liquid or muddy boot to hit the wall, a tile skirting can provide a higher level of protection than wood and wood products to save your wall from mould and water damage.
Plus, the material is less likely to get dinged and scuffed, so it can look great for years without need for replacement or repainting.
Plus, the material is less likely to get dinged and scuffed, so it can look great for years without need for replacement or repainting.
9. Slim and serene short skirting
Finally, this last idea is almost not there at all: short skirting so slim they nearly appear to be vanishing.
Finally, this last idea is almost not there at all: short skirting so slim they nearly appear to be vanishing.
When you first look at this room you could easily not notice the skirting at all. And that’s sort of the point.
The ultra-slim skirting in this contemporary Japanese home are just a few inches tall (perhaps even less than 5 centimetres), just enough to cap the perimeter of the floor while leaving the wall feeling intentionally underdressed for a Zen-like atmosphere.
How to find design inspiration in Japan
The ultra-slim skirting in this contemporary Japanese home are just a few inches tall (perhaps even less than 5 centimetres), just enough to cap the perimeter of the floor while leaving the wall feeling intentionally underdressed for a Zen-like atmosphere.
How to find design inspiration in Japan
The skirting in this bathroom might be even slimmer than the previous room, rising just enough to ward off any pooling water but otherwise leaving the walls uncovered. The humbleness of these skirting brings a unique kind of beauty, especially when mixed with such simple materials and muted colours. It’s a spa-like atmosphere that delivers an instant feeling of calm and serenity.
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First, let’s start with a skirting style that’s elegant partially because it’s so simple.
Flat skirting play against traditional expectations of a curving, rounded skirting and instead feature a completely flat surface.