The Essential Guide to Skirting Boards: Discover the Variety

1. Torus Skirting Board: The Classic Choice

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Torus Skirting is known for its semi-circular profile and classic appearance, providing a timeless aesthetic that complements various interiors. Its smooth curve is subtle yet elegant, making it a preferred choice for homeowners seeking a traditional look in contemporary settings.

Why Choose Torus Skirting Boards?

• Aesthetic Appeal: With its graceful curves and understated design, torus skirting enhances the overall ambiance of your space.
• Versatility: It pairs well with different decor styles, from modern minimalism to classic Victorian.
• Durability: Typically crafted from sturdy materials like MDF or solid wood, torus skirting is built to endure.

2. Ogee Skirting Board: The Ornate Option

Featuring an S-curve profile, ogee skirting brings a decorative touch to any room. It is perfect for those aiming to add grandeur and sophistication to their living spaces.

3. Bullnose Skirting Board: The Modern Minimalist

For a sleek, understated finish, bullnose skirting is an excellent choice. Its rounded edge suits contemporary homes that prioritize clean lines and simplicity.

4. Lambs Tongue Skirting Board: The Soft Silhouette

With a concave shape, lambs tongue skirting offers a sculpted appearance that introduces softness and depth to your walls. This choice enhances elegance without overwhelming the space.

5. Victorian Skirting Board: The Period Piece

If you are restoring a period property or seeking a vintage vibe, Victorian skirting boards with intricate moldings and taller profiles present an authentic addition.

6. Pencil Round Skirting Board: The Subtle Detail

For those favoring minimalism, pencil round skirting boasts a simple yet effective profile that complements any room without attracting excessive attention.

Choosing the right skirting board and architraves can be daunting, especially with numerous options available. Below are some points to consider to ensure you create a beautiful interior!

INTERIOR STYLE

When selecting your skirting board and architraves, first determine the interior style of your house or the style you aspire to achieve. This decision will guide your choice of profiles.

Hamptons ~ Bigger is Better

Traditional Hamptons style features high, thick skirting boards with rounded profile designs. This approach not only creates a standout appearance but also allows the skirting to complement elaborate wall wainscotting.

A more modern coastal interpretation of Hamptons skirting retains the tall structure while adopting a simpler design.

French ~ More is More

The French Provincial style is celebrated for its symmetrical design, classic proportions, and decorative elements. Skirting boards are a key feature in French-style homes, characterized by their ornate and detailed craftsmanship.

Victorian/Georgian ~ More of EVERYTHING

Victorian/Georgian interiors embrace the principle of "more is more." Highly detailed dado rails, wall panelling, and richly decorated skirting board profiles establish a balanced and elegant aesthetic.

Modern/Contemporary/Art Deco ~ Keep it Simple

Modern homes often opt for minimal Shadowline skirting or smaller profiles with sharp, clean lines. The use of high but thin skirting boards with simple designs has gained popularity. Don't hesitate to experiment with sizes, as long as simplicity is maintained.

Farmhouse/Country ~ Close to Nature/Vintage

Farmhouse/Country style homes typically exude coziness and relaxation. This look is achieved with large skirtings that add warmth to the space.

When choosing your boards, some general guidelines can help, although they are not absolute rules. Selecting a skirting board based on your ceiling height is a good starting point.

Ceiling Height     Complimentary Skirting Sizes

To 2.4m            90-135mm

To 2.7m            115-185mm

To 3.0m            135-230mm

To 3.6m            185mm+

Consider what you aim to achieve. Do you want to create drama, a snug space, or expand the room? Assess how prominent you want your skirting to be—will it stand as an architectural feature or simply enhance the room's appearance?

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Begin with the proportion of your ceiling height before deciding your desired outcome for the space.

It is a common misconception that large skirting should only be used in spacious rooms with high ceilings, while smaller skirting fits in smaller areas. While large skirting can make a room feel smaller, it may create a cozy atmosphere. Using smaller profiles in a high ceiling room can help create the illusion of greater height.

Is your home a high-traffic area? Do you have children and pets running around? If so, consider a high skirting board to protect your walls, especially if you use wallpaper or bold colors where chips may be more noticeable.

A skirting board measuring 185mm or larger is considered substantial. This size suits most homes. A more intricate profile works best in larger rooms; if used in a smaller space, opt for designs with more flat space in proportion to avoid overwhelming the area.

Another consideration is whether you will paint your skirting boards and architraves white, neutral colors, stain natural timber, or select a bold shade.

Most people prefer whites and neutrals, creating a more spacious atmosphere. However, if you desire something trendy and distinct, consider bold colors. This may close up space, but introducing color in various areas of the room can help create the illusion of diversity. For instance, painting your skirting and the lower half of the wall creates visual interest and elevates the ceiling visually. Alternatively, painting all skirtings, architraves, and walls in one color can create visual harmony and draw attention to other focal points, like artwork or sculptures.

If you have chosen your skirting and now seek compatible architraves, we recommend using the same profile design in a smaller size for a cohesive look, ensuring style consistency and balance. If the skirting features substantial detailing not available in the desired architrave size, choose a similar profile with complementary design elements.

While skirtings and architraves should harmonize, matching refers more to proportional sizes rather than identical designs. If using the same profile isn't feasible, select a different profile with similar detailing.

Deciding the Size of the Architrave

Choosing the architrave size involves considering both the height of your doors and skirting boards.

For door heights, we suggest:

Door Heights      Architrave Widths

2.04m       66-90mm

2.34m       90-115mm

2.70m     115mm+

Skirting and Architrave Recommended Combinations

When considering combinations that work well for your skirting board size, we recommend:

90-135mm   66-90mm

115-185mm   90-115mm

185-230mm   90-115mm

230mm+   115mm+

The most common size combinations sold are:

135mm skirting with 90mm architrave

185mm skirting with 90mm architrave

If you choose a different profile for the architrave, keep these points in mind:

• Ensure that the skirting board and architrave are the same thickness.
• Maintain complementary height combinations as previously mentioned, aligning with both the mouldings and overall room dimensions.
• If the two profiles vary significantly in design, a skirting block may be necessary to avoid a chaotic or mismatched appearance.
• Stick to profiles with similar characteristics, such as both having bold curves or sharp lines, and avoid mixing drastically differing profiles.

Below are some recommended profile combinations for experimentation.

A skirting block is an excellent solution when using different profiles, thicknesses, or heights for your skirting and architraves. It allows for a seamless transition between the two profiles, preventing an awkward appearance.

Skirting Block Size Guide

Skirting Height | Architrave Width | Skirting Block Size (hxw)

90mm | 66mm | 100x70mm

115mm | 66mm | 125x70mm

115mm | 90mm | 125x95mm

135mm | 66mm | 150x70mm

135mm | 90mm | 150x95mm

135mm | 115mm | 150x120mm

185mm | 90mm | 200x95mm

185mm | 115mm | 200x120mm

185mm | 135mm | 200x140mm

230mm | 90mm | 250x95mm

230mm | 115mm | 250x120mm

230mm | 135mm | 250x140mm