Inspiring Ideas for Coloured Skirting Boards: How to Add Personality to Your Home

When it comes to interior design, skirting boards are often an overlooked detail. However, these seemingly small elements have the power to transform a room’s look and feel completely. While traditionally skirting boards have been painted white or left neutral, modern trends are now leaning towards bold, unique interiors, and coloured skirting boards are a great way to achieve this style in your home.

Whether you’re renovating a period property or giving a contemporary twist to your living space, experimenting with colour is an excellent way to elevate your design. In this guide, we’ll share some of the best ideas for coloured skirting boards, how different skirting profiles can enhance your colour choice, and tips for achieving a cohesive finish.

Why Choose Coloured Skirting Boards?

Coloured skirting boards are growing in popularity for several reasons:

• Add contrast and depth: Breaking away from the traditional white allows your skirting to stand out as a feature rather than blend in.

• Tie together a colour scheme: Whether matching the wall colour or contrasting, coloured skirting boards can unify the overall aesthetic.

• Highlight architectural features: A carefully chosen colour draws attention to beautifully crafted skirting profiles.

• Create a sense of luxury: Bold, darker shades and rich tones offer a high-end, designer feel.

Popular Colours for Skirting Boards

1. Dark and Moody Skirting Boards

Deep shades such as charcoal grey, navy blue, forest green, or even black bring a sense of sophistication to a room. These shades are particularly effective with modern or industrial interiors and pair well with Square, Chamfered, or Bullnose skirting designs, which favour clean lines.

Best used in:

• Living rooms with dark feature walls

• Hallways for added elegance

• Industrial-style apartments

2. Soft Pastel Skirting Boards

For a subtle yet playful effect, pastel tones like blush pink, sage green, baby blue, or soft lilac work beautifully in light, airy spaces. These colours complement minimalist or Scandi-inspired homes. Profiles such as Rounded, Lambs Tongue, and Ovolo offer a softer edge, perfect for creating a calm and welcoming space.

Ideal for:

• Nurseries

• Bedrooms

• Coastal or cottage-style properties

3. Bold Colour Blocking

Make a bold statement by contrasting brightly coloured skirting boards with neutral walls. Vibrant hues like mustard yellow, teal, or even red can inject personality and work well in creative spaces. The Torus or Ogee designs, with their curves and detailing, add an extra layer of texture and dimension when painted in a standout shade.

Recommended for:

• Home offices

• Playrooms

• Artistic studios

4. Matching Wall and Skirting Colour

A popular modern trend is painting skirting boards the same colour as the walls. This creates a seamless, expansive look and removes visual breaks, making the room feel larger. Neutral tones or dark shades work particularly well. Simpler profiles like Bullnose and Square fit perfectly with this sleek approach.

Great choice for:

• Contemporary open-plan spaces

• Small rooms need more flow

• Minimalist interiors

Skirting Board Profiles & Colour Pairing Ideas

Different skirting board designs lend themselves to specific colours and styles. Let’s break down how each profile can shine with coloured skirting boards:

1. Bullnose Skirting Boards

With their smooth, rounded top, Bullnose skirting boards are versatile and modern. They work exceptionally well in bold, single-colour schemes. Try painting Bullnose skirting in matte black, navy, or even a bright feature colour to create a striking, contemporary look.

2. Chamfered Skirting Boards

Featuring a subtle bevelled edge, Chamfered profiles complement minimalist or industrial interiors. Opt for strong, solid colours like deep greys or olive greens to highlight their understated charm.

3. Lambs Tongue Skirting Boards

This classic profile has an elegant curve that works beautifully with soft, muted colours. Sage, duck egg blue, or powder pink will highlight the Lambs Tongue design’s delicate lines, perfect for period properties and traditional homes.

4. Ogee Skirting Boards

With their intricate S-shaped curves, Ogee skirting boards lend themselves to luxury and opulence. Deep jewel tones such as emerald green, burgundy, or royal blue will enhance the detailing, adding character to formal rooms like dining areas or lounges.

5. Ovolo Skirting Boards

A gentle convex curve defines Ovolo skirting, making them ideal for pastel or lighter shades. Think creamy neutrals or soft greys for a timeless, versatile effect, especially in cosy living spaces or bedrooms.

6. Rounded Skirting Boards

With a pronounced curve, Rounded skirting boards are child-friendly and lend themselves to fun, playful colour palettes. Perfect for nurseries, playrooms, or modern kitchens—bright whites, sunny yellows, or mint greens are a great match.

7. Square Skirting Boards

Square profiles are simple and bold, ideal for modern homes. They suit monochrome schemes, darker shades, or matching wall colours for a seamless effect. Perfect if you want a sharp, architectural look.

8. Torus Skirting Boards

Classic and versatile, the semi-circular Torus design stands out beautifully in both light and dark shades. For traditional interiors, stick to rich greens, soft creams, or greys. In modern spaces, experiment with colour blocking or bold hues.

Paint Style & Practical Considerations for Coloured Skirting Boards

While choosing the colour and profile of your skirting boards is essential, the paint style and finish you select also play a crucial role in both aesthetics and practicality. Skirting boards are subjected to more wear and tear than walls—they’re prone to scuffs from vacuum cleaners, foot traffic, pets, and furniture. Therefore, durability and ease of cleaning should factor into your decision alongside style.

1. Choosing the Right Paint Finish

Here are the most popular paint finishes for skirting boards and how they affect both appearance and function:

• Gloss Finish:
  Gloss paint offers a shiny, reflective surface. It's extremely durable, easy to wipe clean, and resistant to knocks and stains, making it ideal for high-traffic areas or homes with children and pets. However, it shows imperfections more clearly, so proper preparation is key.

• Satinwood Finish:
  Satinwood strikes a balance between gloss and matte, giving a soft sheen that’s still durable but a bit subtler than high gloss. It’s a favourite for modern interiors and pairs well with bold or darker skirting board colours without being too overpowering.

• Eggshell Finish:
  Eggshell has a low sheen and velvety appearance. It creates a more muted, classic look, perfect for pastel shades or period properties. While not quite as wipeable as gloss or satinwood, it still offers decent durability for skirting boards.

• Matte Finish:
  Rarely used for skirting boards but increasingly popular in contemporary designs. Matte paint gives a flat, smooth finish and works beautifully for a seamless, wall-coloured look. However, it’s more prone to marking and might require more frequent touch-ups.

2. Practical Considerations

Beyond finish, consider these practical elements when opting for coloured skirting boards:

• Ease of Maintenance:
  Darker or mid-tone shades are generally better at hiding dust, scuffs, and fingerprints. Light or pastel tones may show marks more easily, but can give an airy, clean feel if maintained regularly.

• Room Usage:
  In busy areas like hallways, kitchens, or children’s bedrooms, prioritise hard-wearing paint finishes. These areas benefit most from satinwood or gloss.

• Cleaning & Upkeep:
  Painted skirting boards should be easy to clean—satin and gloss finishes can be wiped down with a damp cloth. For matte or eggshell finishes, use a gentler approach to avoid damage.

• Moisture Resistance:
  If you’re installing coloured skirting boards in bathrooms, utility rooms, or kitchens, moisture-resistant paints or paints suitable for woodwork in damp environments are a smart choice. Combining this with MDF skirting boards sealed and primed properly will ensure long-lasting results.

Tips for Painting Skirting Boards

To achieve the perfect finish, follow these essential tips:

1. Prep the surface: Sand the skirting lightly to remove any existing gloss and provide a smooth base.

2. Use quality paint: Durable, hard-wearing paints (like satinwood or eggshell) are ideal for skirting boards, ensuring longevity.

3. Tape carefully: Use painter’s tape to avoid messy lines between the skirting and walls or floors.

4. Prime first: Especially important when switching from dark to light colours or painting over MDF skirting boards.

5. Choose the right finish: Gloss offers a high-shine look, satin provides a soft sheen, and matte creates a modern, understated finish.

How to Pair Coloured Skirting Boards with Other Interior Elements

1. Flooring: Match or contrast skirting colours with wooden flooring, tiles, or carpets for balance.

2. Doors & Architraves: For a cohesive feel, consider painting door frames and architraves in the same shade as your skirting.

3. Feature Walls: Coloured skirting boards can either complement or contrast with feature walls to add dimension.

4. Furniture & Accessories: Echo accent colours from furniture, cushions, or artwork in your skirting board choice for harmony.

Why Choose MR Mouldings for Your Skirting Needs?

At MR Mouldings, we offer a wide variety of MDF skirting boards, available in all popular designs: Bullnose, Chamfered, Lambs Tongue, Ogee, Ovolo, Rounded, Square, and Torus. Our high-quality skirting boards are primed and ready to paint in the colour of your choice, making it easy to personalise your interiors.

Whether you're aiming for classic elegance, contemporary minimalism, or bold creativity, our selection of skirting boards provides the perfect foundation to achieve your vision.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Colour for a Stylish Finish

Coloured skirting boards are a fantastic way to add personality, charm, and individuality to any room. Whether you prefer bold contrasts, subtle pastels, or a seamless matching effect, the right skirting board profile combined with the perfect shade can elevate your entire home design.

Ready to get started? Browse MR Mouldings’ full range of premium MDF skirting boards and discover how you can bring your interior ideas to life.