Types of Floor Skirting & How They Can Transform Your Home
Discover how different materials and details can be introduced in the floor skirting to give your home a stunning look
Why should the floor skirting play only a functional role, covering the gap between the finished floor and the wall? Till date, the most common method of installing the floor skirting is by cutting the flooring material to a size ranging from 3 to 5 inches in height and fixing it onto the wall surface along the periphery of the room’s floor.
How about looking beyond the conventional way of installing the floor skirting and converting into an interesting design feature? This skirting will not only look good but also add oodles of style and character to the overall decor of the home. Here are tips on how you can go about it.
How about looking beyond the conventional way of installing the floor skirting and converting into an interesting design feature? This skirting will not only look good but also add oodles of style and character to the overall decor of the home. Here are tips on how you can go about it.
Install a decorative wooden moulding as the skirting to add a detailed look to the home. This type of skirting works best with an ornamental or traditional looking decor.
For small spaces, instead of going for contrasting colours, just match the colour of the skirting with the wall. This detail will give a seamless look and an enhanced sense of space.
Find an interior designer near you to help transform your home
Find an interior designer near you to help transform your home
2. Contrasting colour skirting
A contrasting-colour skirting in stone or tile helps to visually differentiate between the floor and the wall. Make sure that the skirting is darker than the flooring.
A contrasting-colour skirting in stone or tile helps to visually differentiate between the floor and the wall. Make sure that the skirting is darker than the flooring.
See how, in this chequered flooring pattern, the darker marble is used as the skirting; the visual result is it looks like the vertical border or extension of the flooring design.
Note: Some tile manufacturing brands offer ready-made skirting tiles in various colours – most of these tiles are curved on the top to prevent dust from collecting on it. External and internal corner skirting tiles are also available, so as to achieve a flawless skirting joint whenever the wall turns at a right angle.
Note: Some tile manufacturing brands offer ready-made skirting tiles in various colours – most of these tiles are curved on the top to prevent dust from collecting on it. External and internal corner skirting tiles are also available, so as to achieve a flawless skirting joint whenever the wall turns at a right angle.
3. Flush skirting
If you want a neat seamless look, then go for flush skirting; the skirting tile is fixed to the wall such that the tile and plaster are flush with each other – at the same level. The best part about this type of skirting is that since it is flush with the wall, it does not catch dust, unlike skirting tiles that are projected outwards from the wall.
If you want a neat seamless look, then go for flush skirting; the skirting tile is fixed to the wall such that the tile and plaster are flush with each other – at the same level. The best part about this type of skirting is that since it is flush with the wall, it does not catch dust, unlike skirting tiles that are projected outwards from the wall.
In this bedroom, the dark coloured floor continues further to form the flush skirting.
Keep in mind that flush skirtings need planning in advance. The wall needs to be chipped to remove the plaster before installing the skirting, hence there is an increase in cost in terms of material and labour.
Keep in mind that flush skirtings need planning in advance. The wall needs to be chipped to remove the plaster before installing the skirting, hence there is an increase in cost in terms of material and labour.
4. Coloured skirting
In this room, fluorescent green is painted onto the skirting board to give the space a playful look. This can be achieved by installing dense-grade MDF (medium-density fibreboard) boards as the skirting and painting it in a bright colour of your choice. MDF is economical and much cheaper than wooden skirting. Don’t miss the matching green floor cushions and accessories in this example.
Note: Skirting boards need to be durable to withstand wear and tear. Hence, it is important to only go for dense-grade MDF for greater durability and resistance to damage.
In this room, fluorescent green is painted onto the skirting board to give the space a playful look. This can be achieved by installing dense-grade MDF (medium-density fibreboard) boards as the skirting and painting it in a bright colour of your choice. MDF is economical and much cheaper than wooden skirting. Don’t miss the matching green floor cushions and accessories in this example.
Note: Skirting boards need to be durable to withstand wear and tear. Hence, it is important to only go for dense-grade MDF for greater durability and resistance to damage.
5. Metal skirting
Make a bold statement by using SS (stainless steel) for the floor skirting. The SS skirting adds lightness, richness and a high-end modern look to the home. You could consider pairing it steel-finish hardware and bring in smaller items like vases, candle holders or other accent pieces in metallic silver.
The main drawback of a metal skirting is that it is susceptible to scratches.
Make a bold statement by using SS (stainless steel) for the floor skirting. The SS skirting adds lightness, richness and a high-end modern look to the home. You could consider pairing it steel-finish hardware and bring in smaller items like vases, candle holders or other accent pieces in metallic silver.
The main drawback of a metal skirting is that it is susceptible to scratches.
6. Double-layered skirting
How about turning your skirting into an accent feature? This home features a two-tone skirting – the double layer of grey and black skirting teams up nicely with the white floor and walls to form a striking detail.
How about turning your skirting into an accent feature? This home features a two-tone skirting – the double layer of grey and black skirting teams up nicely with the white floor and walls to form a striking detail.
7. Continued skirting
In this minimalist space, the light-brown wooden skirting gives an elegant finishing touch to the space and is carried forward as a cladding material for the treads and risers of the staircase.
In this minimalist space, the light-brown wooden skirting gives an elegant finishing touch to the space and is carried forward as a cladding material for the treads and risers of the staircase.
Take a look at this staircase – the dark-brown skirting continues onwards and upwards, to form the stair skirting as well as stair risers, taking the design to a whole new level.
Read more:
Pros & Cons of Laminated Floors
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Tell us:
Which type of floor skirting did you like and would prefer for your home? Share in Comments below.
Read more:
Pros & Cons of Laminated Floors
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Tell us:
Which type of floor skirting did you like and would prefer for your home? Share in Comments below.
A wooden skirting imparts an element of warmth, richness and sophistication when it runs along marble or tiled floors.It works best with with light coloured floors, walls and ceilings, just as in this example.