Traditionally coated white gloss or satin, skirting boards are an understated element that with a little imagination can breathe colour into spaces where it was previously thought impossible.
With the average home in Britain getting smaller, people are opting to paint their homes lighter and brighter tones to help make rooms appear larger. Whilst this often does the trick and emphasises the space available, it adds very little in the way of personalising your home.
Contrast can come from any element of a room - be it carpet, curtains or cornices, but we’re going to be using Farrow and Ball’s sustainable, richly pigmented water based paints to transform the blank borders that line every room.
To ease you into swapping the white for another shade, our first suggestion is Farrow and Ball favourite, School House White - no.291.
A little darker than Farrow and Ball’s All White, School House White is subtle off white colour, with its namesake coming from being reminiscent of the shades used in old school houses. Glossing your skirting boards in No.291 will enable you to bring a hint of grey into your room whilst still keeping the space light and airy - especially if your flooring has a natural, wooden feel.
If you have a room with a low ceiling, large windows and light flooring, you’re missing an opportunity if your skirting boards are not providing a much needed pop of colour using Farrow and Ball’s cheerfully bright Babouche.
Named after the distinctive colour of the leather slippers worn in Morocco, Babouche has the power to bring the warm tones of morocco to your home, providing sunshine where you’d least expect it.
Bring the outside in with a lashing of Breakfast Room Green on your skirting boards!
With Farrow and Ball labelling this colour their ‘most cheerful’ green, it would be a beautiful addition to any home, providing an incredible and striking contrast.
You can still have coloured skirting boards even in if your walls aren’t white? If Breakfast Room Green takes your fancy, you can pair it with one of Farrow and Ball’s perfectly pigmented Estate Emulsions, such as: Slipper Satin or Lime white.
If you’re looking for the ‘wow’ factor, glossing your skirting boards in Farrow and Ball’s incredible Incarnadine will absolutely help you to achieve it.
With its classic crimson touch, adding a deep, red, glossy touch to your room would provide a true edge when paired with a bright white wall. It would also pair harmoniously with rich mahogany flooring to keep the red tones very present within the room.
A red skirting board too bold? How about painting the back of your door as a feature?
Farrow and Ball’s Stone Blue is a timeless colour that is reminiscent of a beautiful blue sky. Named after the indigo pigment which was often imported in lumps in the 18th century, this blue hue would provide a chic contrast to a light tone above.
Whilst common sense would dictate putting something as bright and blue up high, popping Farrow and Ball’s Stone Blue on your skirting board in a Modern Eggshell finish would provide a distinctly elegant touch to any room, big or small.
What are you waiting for? Give your skirting boards the attention they deserve today.
For tips and tricks on how to prepare your skirting boards for painting, click here.
