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Modern Skirting Board Ideas
If you’re planning to decorate your room in a contemporary style and need modern skirting boards that will complement the overall look, this blog post will help you decide which skirting board is right for your project.
Characteristics of Modern Skirting Board
Generally speaking, there are a specific set of characteristics that determine whether or not a particular skirting board will work well in a modern interior:
1. Profile Design.
Probably the most important thing to consider is the profile design- the way the skirting board has been moulded. There is a huge range of skirting board profiles to choose from, but for a contemporary look, you will want to initially focus on skirting boards that have very minimal detailing to see if there is anything that catches your eye.
Asmara 5 skirting board pictured above is a popular modern skirting board design that is available from Skirting 4 U.
Chamfer skirting board is very commonly used and for good reason- the way it tapers towards the top edge creates very clean lines, a feature of modern interiors.
Edge skirting board is similar to a
Roux skirting board is one of the most popular modern skirting boards available today. This profile is exclusive to Skirting 4 U and looks great in contemporary spaces.
Stepped skirting board although strictly more of an art-deco style, is becoming the profile of choice for an increasing number of customers looking for a modern skirting board design for their home.
Ripple 2 skirting board looks great in this modern interior, photographed by one of our recent customers.
Roux skirting board shown here in a lovely image sent in by a Skirting 4 U customer, is a really stylish accent to a modern interior.
Edge skirting board again at a smaller height looks great in this modern kitchen/diner.
Grooved profiles are very on trend right now, and the most popular modern skirting board by far is Square Groove, which has the added advantage of allowing you to seamlessly transition from skirting board to architrave and create a continuous groove around the perimeter of the floor and doorway(s).
Square Groove 2 skirting board
Square Groove 2 skirting board
The perfect modern skirting board needs to balance minimal design (in order to create the clean lines that draw the eye to the farthest point and create the illusion of space) and a bit of character in the design to make it visually appealing without being too bold or overpowering.
Square Groove 2 skirting board
Square Groove 2 skirting board
2. Skirting Board Size.
Modern skirting boards tend to be much smaller than their more traditional or grandiose counterparts in period homes. This is influenced in part because newer buildings tend to have smaller rooms, both in
With lower ceilings, newer properties tend to benefit from smaller skirting boards because they help keep the proportions of the room in sync. Naturally, being smaller in height means that the overall thickness of modern skirting boards is also relatively small so as not to appear bulky.
The ‘standard’ size of a skirting board is 120mm high x 18mm thick, and we would recommend sticking to these dimensions as a maximum for most modern interiors. 70mm x 15mm is probably about as small as you can go before the skirting board becomes an unusual feature, or simply looks like an oversized, incorrectly proportioned beading.
3. Colour
We have spoken about adding colour to skirting boards before on the blog, but it is worth addressing again as it pertains specifically to contemporary interiors.
If by ‘contemporary interior’ you are thinking along the lines of minimalism, then white is really the only way to go. It is classic, clean and slick and is
Bullnose Groove skirting board
Bullnose Groove skirting board
However, if you are looking at adopting current trends then it is worth noting that grey skirting boards and architrave are rapidly rising in popularity as more and more people look to move away from standard white for their accent pieces.
Grey Square Groove 2 skirting board
Again, as a general statement, darker colours tend to be better alternatives to white than other lighter colours, but it really depends on what you plan to put into the room because almost anything can be made to work!
Breaking the Rules- Making a Statement!
As with almost anything with interior design, rules are there to be broken. A great way to create a modern look is by ignoring everything we have just written and doing the complete opposite to make something unique and bold that will stand out and garner attention. Oversized, colourful skirting boards might just be the perfect way to finish your room off in style- it all comes down to personal preference in the end!
To experiment with different possibilities, be sure to take advantage of our samples service to get a feel for which style of modern skirting board is right for you. Standard samples are free (just pay postage), and we can also manufacture custom-made samples to your exact specification for a small charge, which will be refunded to you should you place an order with us.
If you would like any further help or guidance relating to modern skirting boards or anything else skirting board related, please contact our sales team who will be happy to help you!
Browse the full range of modern skirting boards here.
About the Author
Kieron Miller is the Managing Director of Skirting 4 U and has been working in the skirting board and online retail industry since 2012. Kieron has been using his extensive product knowledge and problem-solving experience to help both trade and private consumers all over the country find the perfect skirting board products for their projects. He continues to innovate new solutions and product ideas as the market continues to grow.