Baseboards, also known as skirting boards or base moldings, may seem like a small aspect of interior design. However, they play a significant role in enhancing the visual appeal and improving the functionality of a space. These often overlooked elements provide a seamless transition between walls and flooring while offering protection against furniture impacts, vacuum cleaner mishaps, and general wear and tear. In this article, you will delve into the importance of skirting boards in interior design and explore different ways they can elevate the overall atmosphere of a room.
Defining Skirting Boards
Skirting boards are architectural features that run along the base of interior walls where they meet the floor. They have both decorative and practical functions. Originally, skirting boards were used to cover the gap between plastered walls and the floor in order to prevent drafts and dirt from collecting in this area.
As time has passed, their purpose has evolved, and they have become an important design element that adds character to a room. Skirting boards can be made from wood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or even plaster. Homeowners and designers can choose from a variety of styles, sizes, and finishes to complement the overall design theme of the room.
Enhancing Aesthetics
Skirting boards have the unique ability to bring a room’s design together by providing visual harmony. They can be matched with other architectural elements such as door frames, window casings, and crown moldings to create a cohesive look. Furthermore, skirting boards offer an opportunity for creativity.
Intricately designed skirting boards can elevate an ordinary room into a visually appealing space. The interplay between light and shadow that skirting boards create adds depth and dimension to a room, making it feel warm and inviting.
Layered Design
A trending interior design technique called skirting over skirting has gained popularity recently. This method involves the installation of two layers of different sizes and styles of skirting boards, resulting in a visually captivating effect.
The larger bottom skirting board serves its traditional purpose of wall protection, while the smaller top skirting board adds a decorative touch. This approach enhances the room’s depth, similar to a two-piece artwork. The interaction between these two layers naturally draws attention downward, giving the room a more grounded feel.
The bottom skirting board can be chosen for practical purposes, while the top skirting board provides an opportunity to experience intricate designs or bold colors that complement the overall color palette of the room.
Practical Benefits
In addition to their aesthetic value, skirting boards offer practical benefits. They act as a protective barrier for walls, safeguarding them from accidental bumps and scuffs caused by furniture or cleaning equipment.
In rooms with hardwood or laminate flooring, skirting boards help conceal the necessary expansion gap needed to accommodate floor movement. Moreover, they provide a convenient solution to hide electrical wiring or cables that may run along the room’s perimeter, maintaining an organized and tidy appearance.
Conclusion
Skirting boards serve a crucial purpose beyond functionality – they are an essential part of interior design. With the power to elevate aesthetics, bring depth, and offer practical advantages, skirting boards should be carefully considered when designing any room.
Whether adopting the skirting over skirting technique or choosing from a range of available styles, homeowners and designers can utilize skirting boards’ potential to craft visually stunning and welcoming spaces.
