How Baseboard Height And Style Can Make An Impact In Your Home's Aesthetic

Baseboards are not exactly the focal point of a room. As a result, you might put little thought into this home design feature. However, they have the ability to make a larger impact than you may realize. The style and height of your baseboards can either enhance or clash with your home's aesthetic. For example, sculpted baseboards include decorative edges that can be designed to pair well with Colonial, Victorian, or Craftsman style homes. On the other hand, flat baseboards, which simply have a plain flat border across the top, are a good fit if you want your baseboard design to take a backseat to allow other home design elements to shine.

As far as the height of your baseboards, they should be around 7% of the height of the walls in the room you'll be installing them in. Depending on you personal preferences, you might choose to make your own baseboards slightly taller or shorter. Still, you shouldn't stray too far away from the 7% rule. Why? Baseboards that are too short for a room can give the illusion of a shorter ceiling. Now that you have some general guidance on how to select the proper height for your baseboards, let's dive into the different baseboard styles out there and what they can do for your home. You might just get inspired to upgrade your existing baseboards.

Baseboards protect your walls from nicks in high-traffic areas, shoe scuffs, furniture leg scratches, and more. They also serve as the perfect finishing touch that helps tie all of the visual elements of your living space together. However, baseboards can only do their job properly if you make the right pick for your home's interior. Along with the 7% height rule, you should also analyze your existing home's interior design style to match your baseboards to the layout.

For example, if you have a rustic-inspired home, wooden baseboards might be the best fit for you. You can purchase them in a variety of finishes and designs. To keep things simple, you could opt for flat wood baseboards. However, if you're all about small details, feel free to opt for a more complex design, such as sculpted wood baseboards. Another visually interesting option is recessed or flush baseboards. This modern choice lies flat against the wall to provide you with a bit more floor space. However, it's not the right fit for everyone. Flush baseboards tend to look the best in sophisticated homes with modern decor. In a dated living space, this design feature may not look intentional and can instead give off the illusion that you simply forgot to install baseboards. Other baseboard options to consider that fit just about any home include bullnose or stepped styles.