It would be hard to argue that choosing baseboards is the most exciting part of putting together an interior design scheme, but it’s important nonetheless. It is details like these that make everything work in harmony. Not only should they fit in and complement the design aesthetically, but they should also tick the required practicality boxes. They were originally designed to hide the space between the wall and the floor and protect the wall from feet, furniture, vacuum cleaners and floor wax. With wooden floors, a skirting board is absolutely essential due to the natural movement, expansion and contraction of the floor. In older properties where embedding pipes and cables into the wall is not an option, they also give you a way to hide these unsightly necessities. In new construction, it’s becoming increasingly popular to run electrical wires and pipes into baseboards anyway, simply for easy access.
Today, skirting boards have become more than just a functional feature. They now come with a wide variety of trims and are available in various materials. Unsurprisingly, wooden skirting boards remain the most popular. Obviously, there is a wide variety within the wood category. Different types of wood, different finishes, painted or not, are just some of the options you can choose from. Moldings are becoming less popular and are only recommended if you are going for a very traditional look. But trim can give this often-overlooked feature real character.
Another aspect of your baseboard that you will need to decide on is the height. The first thing you must make sure is that there is coherence throughout the property, varying the heights will look very strange. Whether you’re redoing the baseboards throughout the house or building a new property, the height of the walls should be the number one consideration: the taller the walls, the taller the boards. Don’t forget about radiators (buying baseboards that won’t fit under your pipes is an expensive mistake!)
If you have baseboards on your property that you really like and you want to put them in another room, but can’t find them anywhere, don’t worry, a quality carpenter should be able to replicate what you’re looking for. One of the best tips we can give you is to look online for pictures of a complete interior design scheme that you like and take a close look at the baseboard. Ask yourself: would it work well on my property? This is much better than finding a baseboard you like and trying to make it work in your interior design.