How to choose the right skirting boards

With so many choices and profiles, the decision on which skirting boards and architraves to choose can be daunting. We have put together some things to consider when making your decision so you can be confident you are creating a beautiful interior!

INTERIOR STYLE

First you have to decide what your interior style is, or what style you are looking to create. This will determine the profiles of the board you choose.

Hamptons ~ Bigger is Better

Traditional Hamptons use high, thick skirting boards with big rounded profile features. This not only creates a stand out look, but helps the skirting hold its own again elaborate wall wainscoting.

A more coastal or modern take on Hamptons skirting is to still have a tall skirting with a more simple design.

French ~ More is More

The French Provincial style is admired for its symmetrical design, classic proportions and decorative elements. Skirting boards are a key feature in French style homes and are ornate and decoratively detailed. Mouldings are used throughout these homes as wall panelling, fireplace features and big cornices.

Victorian ~ More of EVERYTHING

Victorian interiors mantra is ‘more of everything.’. Highly detailed dado rail, wall panelling & highly decorated skirting board profiles which are balanced & elegant will help you achieve this beautiful look.

Colonial ~ Country Curves

Colonial styling is similar to that of the Victorian, although it is a little more relaxed with more of a country vibe. Basic Colonial Skirting board starts with what is known as ‘Lambs Tongue’ or ‘NSW Colonial’ and feature an ogee (S bend) curve from the top portion of the skirting, flowing into a V joint.

As time time progressed Colonial style skirting boards became more decorative. They also started to feature squared timber skirting blocks. The lambs tongue design became more ornate with more curves that flowed into a V joint.

Edwardian ~ Simple with a touch of Curves

Timber mouldings became more sleek and started to move away from the heavily decorated Victorian style. More flat areas on the profiles were seen and a reduction of large curves was seen during this era, with an increase in the popularity of lambs tongue type design.

Georgian ~ Keep it Balanced

Georgian style homes are formal and showcase fine details and straight lines. Symmetry and simplicity in skirting board design achieved an elegant and light touch. Neoclassical (Roman and Greek) and Rococo (French curve and cockleshell style) architecture inspired many interiors which included columns, marble, stonework and classical figures.

FIND SOME INSPIRATION

If you’re still not quite sure what interior style you are looking to achieve or your style is a fusion of a few different types, a great idea is to find an interior or images of skirting boards you would love in your home. Our team love helping you create a beautiful interior and can recommend profiles from our range that are similar to, or provide a similar look as your inspiration images, taking the guess work and hours of filtering through our large range. Simple!

HEIGHT

There are some basic rules when choosing your boards, although they are not hard and fast, they give you a good guide on what works best. Choosing a skirting board based on your ceiling height is a good place to start.

Think about what are you looking to achieve. Do you want drama, a cosy space or to open your room out. How prominent do you want your skirting and will you have them as a stand out piece of architectural art, or do you want them to just enhance the look of your room?

ARCHITRAVES

Once you’ve chosen your skirting boards, you have the decision to make for your architraves. Most people choose the same profile, in a smaller height, but this doesn’t have to be the case. You can mix and match profiles for a beautiful, and interesting final look.

There is a two pronged approach for choosing your architrave size, and these are by the height of your doors and the height of your skirting boards.

When considering what works well with your skirting board size, we recommend:

90-135mm Skirting with 65-90mm architrave

115-185mm skirting with 90-135mm architrave