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