9 Eye-Catching Baseboard Designs

Hello Friends,

How often have you considered baseboard design? Chances are not that often. But if you’re renovating your home, small details like baseboards and other trim are what form a cohesive, thoughtful design that will make you happy you invested in the project to begin with. Here are nine baseboard design ideas to consider, no matter what your style.

1. Modern and minimal flat baseboards. First, let’s start with a baseboard style that’s elegant partially because it’s so simple.

Flat baseboards play against traditional expectations of a curving, rounded baseboard and instead feature a completely flat surface.

This style works well in homes that lean toward modern but without going 100 percent minimalist. Flat baseboards add a sense of maturity and richness to the walls without being fussy. This look works especially well with baseboards that are a bit tall — at least 6 inches or even much higher — to give a sense of weight despite being so slim.

Flat baseboards aren’t only for airy all-white spaces either. The style makes a perfect counterpoint to a richly patterned wallpaper.

2. Tastefully tailored rectangular baseboards. Similar to the previous idea, rectangular baseboards use clean-lined silhouettes without any rounded edges, but with a little more complexity than the completely flat style.

Rectangular baseboard with thin groove details, or simple stepped baseboards like this example (with one or more changes in depth as it rises up the wall), are less austere than completely flat baseboards but still carry a very modern sensibility that works well in contemporary and transitional spaces.

3. Eye-catching built-up baseboards. While it’s possible to find very deep baseboards (12 inches and higher), it’s also quite possible to create a similar effect by creatively combining thinner strips.

The trick is to use a base strip and a top strip but leave an uncovered stretch of wall in between that will appear to be part of the baseboard when the area is painted out.

The effect works best when the “baseboard” is finished differently from the rest of the wall, either because the two areas are painted a different color or the wall uses a wallpaper above the baseboard line.

The difference can be subtle, and the eye will still see the entire area from the lower baseboard strip to the upper strip as one piece. Only on very close inspection could anyone tell whether the middle section of the baseboard is “real” or not.

4. Gleaming glam metal baseboards. Here’s an uncommon but really cool concept. Stainless steel and other metal sheeting can make a functional baseboard while adding a bit of shine to your home.

5. Architectural yet inviting taupe and gray baseboards. Sometimes architectural details like door profiles and window trim are key features that make a room feel rich and welcoming. Painting your baseboards and other trim a subdued neutral shade calls attention to these details without overwhelming them, so what you notice is the interesting shapes and silhouettes.

6. Smart and sleek flush baseboards. This is a special type of installation that typically has to be planned before or during construction and installed by a professional. But the result comes off luxurious and sophisticated while staying understated.

Essentially, flush baseboards are not installed as a layer on top of the drywall as with typical baseboards. These are installed separately below the drywall so the two sit flush with each other, with a small “reveal” gap between them.

This creates a modern effect similar to flat baseboards but even more sleek. It’s a very subtle detail that many would never notice, but it reflects a level of craftsmanship that some design fans will really appreciate.

7. Bold and artistic painted-out baseboards. This sort of look is certainly not for those who are averse to rich color. But if you do love a bold hue for your walls, take the color all the way down to the floor rather than break it up with a white or neutral baseboard. This creates an artistic effect that refuses to be tamed.

8. Solid as a rock stone and tile. In many homes in hotter climates, stone and tile baseboards have been common for centuries. In American homes, the look is most commonly seen in kitchens and bathrooms, but it is functional and stylish enough to make sense in many other rooms.

Anywhere you might expect the occasional spilled liquid or muddy boot to hit the wall, a tile baseboard can provide a higher level of protection than wood and wood products to save your wall from mold and water damage. Plus, the material is less likely to get dinged and scuffed, so it can look great for years without need for replacement or repainting.

9. Slim and serene short baseboards. Finally, this last idea is almost not there at all: short baseboards so slim they nearly appear to be vanishing.

The humbleness of these baseboards brings a unique kind of beauty, especially when mixed with such simple materials and muted colors. It’s a spa-like atmosphere that delivers an instant feeling of calm and serenity.

Sincerely,

ERA Skyline Real Estate