How to Add Faux Decorative Skirting to Walls
Decorative skirting adds a finishing touch to any room, but when you can't afford to have decorative skirtings installed or can't find what you're looking for - you can always try this method!
16/03/2020
Disguise Joints or Protect Walls
Skirting boards, or baseboards as they are called in certain countries, are a decorative element installed at the base of walls in a home. The main purpose of installing skirting boards is to finish off and hide the joint between wall and flooring, but skirting boards also serve to protect walls from damage that could be caused by mops, sweeping brushes, vacuum cleaners and general wear and tear.
Add Architectural Detailing
When installed as a decorative feature, skirting boards can bring an architectural element that serves to finish off a wall and add detail to plain walls. When combined with cornice and crown moulding, it is possible to add historic detailing to an older home or add a classic finish to a newer home decorated in a traditional, country or classic style.
Choose the Most Suitable Material
Skirting and baseboards are available in a wide selection of materials, from vinyl-wrapped board, polyurethane, to different wood types, as well as board products such as medium density fibreboard or SupaWood.
The problem in this country is that we don't have access to a wide range of options when it comes to skirting boards. Even stores such as Builders stock limited options, resulting in the need to source an alternative. In this feature, we look at an easy and inexpensive alternative to adding decorating skirtings to any room in a home - and it's a quick project for the DIY enthusiast.
HERE'S HOW:
If you look at the top images, you will see a before and after for this project that was installed in a dining room. Due to limited options, only a small, decorative skirting board was installed around the base of the walls, but a higher / wider skirting board was wanted - one that would tie in with the design of the room and provide more impact. For this reason, a very simple technique was done to achieve the desired effect - using paint and a bit of pine trim.
1. If you are looking to install skirting boards that offer more impact than what you can buy, or are looking to save money on buying costly alternatives, all you need for faux decorative skirting is some thin pine moulding strips that you can buy at any Builders Warehouse.
2. The pine strips can be glued or nailed onto the wall. To make it quicker to install pine strips all around a room, find yourself a piece of wood or similar of the width you want for the spacing between the existing skirtings and the top of the pine strips. That way you can glue or nail the strips all the way around the room with ease.
3. If you are planning to use brad nails to secure the pine strips to the wall, use a wood filler afterwards to hide all the nail holes.
4. Once you have added pine strips around the base of the walls, use a paintbrush and trim paint to cover the existing skirtings and new installation. A water-based or oil-based is best for this type of project, as it is easy to keep clean and tougher than your ordinary wall paint.
Stand back and enjoy the look of your new skirting boards. Far cheaper in price and much easier to install, you can repeat this process in every room of your home for a classic way to finish off the walls.
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