When it comes to decorating, treating your skirting boards to a new look can have a real impact. We spend a great deal of time pondering wall colours, but the paint colour and finish we choose for our skirting boards can really transform a space.
A dark border against a white wall can create a beautiful framing effect as well as depth, while the all-over matt look with matching ceiling, walls and skirting boards is a bold trend we're a fan of here at YourHomeStyle.
As skirting boards tend to be wooden, skirting board paint is often suitable for a range of interior woodwork and metal, but you can also find multi-surface options that can be applied to your walls too. There's no limit with finish or colour either, so you can be as creative as you like when revamping your skirting boards.
Jump to our short guide for further tips on what types of paint should you use on a skirting board?
We've selected eight of our favourite skirting board paints below, all from well-trusted paint retailers.
You can also read our guide on how to paint wall edges for the most professional of finishes. And don't miss our tried and tested review of the best paint brushes, as well as our roundup of the 10 best painting tools and make sure you've got the best equipment for the job.
Best paint for skirting boards at a glance
- Best for bedroom Frenchic Velvet Crush Trim Paint
- Best for a low-sheen finish Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell
- Best for a matt finish Farrow & Ball Dead Flat
- Best budget-friendly paint Wickes Non Drip Matt Wood and Metal Paint
- Best for quick drying Johnstone's Quick Dry Wood and Metal Paint
- Best for a statement look Little Greene Intelligent Gloss
- Best eco-friendly choice Lick White 02 Matt
- Best for multiple surfaces Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-Surface
Best paint for skirting boards
Frenchic Velvet Crush Trim Paint
Best for bedroom
- Water based
- 500ml
- Soft satin sheen finish
A colourful skirting board can really jazz up a room, and eco-friendly paint brand Frenchic has lots of lovely colours on offer. This mauve colour is a muted purple, so it's fun without being too loud.
A mauve skirting board would look great paired against a warm cream for a gentle, cosy feel to your space. Thanks to its high scuff-resistance, this paint is well suited to skirting boards, and it'll work on powder coated radiators too if you fancy a stylish, matching vibe. Expect a soft satin sheen finish.
With minimal VOC content and low odour, Frenchic is one of the greener paint brands around.
Painting your bathroom and kitchen? Check out the best anti-mould paints.
Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell
Best for a low-sheen finish
- Buy now from Farrow & Ball (£31.00)
- Water based
- 750ml
- Satin finish
Why not treat your skirting boards to a touch of Farrow & Ball magic? The brand's Estate Eggshell paint is scuff and stain resistant, plus wipeable and washable, making it a suitable choice for skirting boards. You're spoilt for choice with colours, but we're taken with Stiffkey Blue. The deep, rich blue would look stunning against a white wall.
You can also give your front door a new look too as this paint works on doors, kitchen cupboards and radiators.
Buy now from Farrow & Ball (£31.00)
Farrow & Ball Dead Flat
Best for a matt finish
- Buy now from Farrow & Ball (£31.00)
- Water based
- 750ml
- Ultra-matt finish
Offering an ultra-matt finish that's both scrubbable and scuff-resistant, Farrow and Ball's dead flat range is suitable for walls as well as woodwork and metal. So if you want to match your skirting boards to your wall for an eye-catching, on-trend look, dead flat is worth considering.
Explore the colour range to find your perfect match. We've gone for Peignoir - a 'romantic grey pink' and a lovely alternative to the more typically found greys and whites. It's a soothing choice for a restful bedroom too.
For more bedroom colour inspiration, explore our favourite beige bedroom ideas.
Buy now from Farrow & Ball (£31.00)
Wickes Non Drip Matt Wood and Metal Paint
Best budget-friendly paint
- Buy now from Wickes (£16.00)
- Water based
- 750ml
- Matt finish
Wickes has got us covered when it comes to budget-friendly paint. The DIY retailer's non-drip skirting board paint is a top pick for perfectionists. Enjoy faff-free application, and an immaculate look. This is a pure white - ideal if you're not into the warmer creamy tones and prefer a sharper look - and with a matt finish, it'll work well for a contemporary look.
Buy now from Wickes (£16.00)
Johnstone's Quick Dry Wood and Metal Paint
Best for quick drying
- Water based paint
- 750ml
- Mid sheen finish
If you're after a straightforward cream to spruce up your hallway skirting boards, Johnstone's quick dry paint could be the one for you. Suitable for interior and exterior wood, as well as metal surfaces, this skirting board paint is sure to come in handy for those small touch-up jobs around the home.
The quick dry feature is a welcomed aspect for speedy decorating, especially if you're painting skirting boards in high-traffic areas. This paint is non-yellowing too so you can enjoy a clean, fresh look for longer.
Explore our favourite white bedroom ideas for the most tranquil of sleeping spaces.
Little Greene Intelligent Gloss
Best for a statement look
- Buy now from Little Greene (£38.00)
- Water based
- 1L
- Intelligent gloss finish
Little Greene's Basalt paint is a blue-black that looks black in low-light, so it's one to consider if you're after a statement skirting board. While you can go for a monochrome look, with a white wall, you could also pair Basalt with a funky coral for a real impact.
The brand's intelligent gloss finish offers a sheen level of 85%, so expect a sleek, glossy finish. Perfect for kitchens and hallways, this paint is tough and washable.
Confused about finishes? Discover the difference between satin and gloss.
Buy now from Little Greene (£38.00)
Lick White 02 Matt
Best eco-friendly choice
- Buy now from B&Q (£45.00)
- Water based
- 2.5L
- Matt finish
We're huge fans of Lick's high-quality, eco-friendly paint here at YourHomeStyle, and its multi-surface paint is well-suited to skirting boards. This off-white has grey undertones so it's more subtle than the dazzling, brilliant whites on offer. We're not surprised it's one of the brand's bestsellers. Pair with muted pinks and moss greens to create a tranquil, soothing space.
Buy now from B&Q (£45.00)
Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-Surface
Best for multiple surfaces
- Buy now from Dulux (£23.08)
- Water based
- 750ml
- Eggshell
The Dulux Simply Refresh paints are affordable all-rounders. Plus, as a two-in-one paint and primer, you don't need to worry about priming so it's a hassle-free choice. Coral charm is a welcoming, warm choice, perfect for a cosy kitchen.
Glossier than matt but still low sheen, eggshell finishes are great for busy, modern homes as you've got a wipeable, contemporary finish.
Check out the best Farrow & Ball alternatives from Dulx, Crown and B&Q.
Buy now from Dulux (£23.08)
What types of paint should you use on a skirting board?
Water based paint vs oil based paint
Oil based paints are made with petroleum-based solvents, and while they offer high durability and a hard, protective coating (a welcomed feature for skirting boards prone to scuffs), they're more damaging to the environment. Water based paints are a more eco-frindly alternative, and offer the benefit of quick drying times. Plus, we now have access to specialised water based paints that are washable and scuff-resistant for both gloss and matt finishes.
What type of finish works well on a skirting board?
Eggshell
A versatile and durable paint that's somewhere between a satin and matt finish, eggshell boasts a number of benefits. As a paint that's fairly easy to maintain, with scuffs and stains coming away with a wipe or gentle scrub, and offering a contemporary matt look, eggshell is perfect for modern family homes. Plus, it tends to work well on woodwork.
Matt-style paints are however more difficult to clean than gloss paints, so think moderate-traffic area, rather than a hallway perhaps.
Satin
A satin finish is an obvious and popular choice for skirting boards. With washable and durable qualities, and a subtle sheen for a touch of elegance, it'll give your skirting boards a smart edge without distracting from your wall colour. Because satin is less reflective than gloss, it'll show up fewer imperfections. This is a great feature for skirting boards which can often have cracks and bumps.
Gloss
Gloss takes the top prize for durability and while matt and satin finishes can be wiped clean, gloss is certainly easier to keep clean. In terms of style, a glossy, high-sheen skirting board against a matt wall could look effective if you're after a contrasting look. However, gloss is more suited to smooth walls without any imperfections, so if you're going to go for a gloss skirting board, it's best to address any irregularities prior to painting.
Looking for top painting tips? Discover how to clean your paint brushes. We've also been busy with our tried-and-tested review of the best wood primer.
