How to Select the Right Baseboards for Your Home

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Whether you’re looking for a classic look or more modern, this list helps you how to select the right baseboards for your home.

If you are reading this, you are planning a home construction project or in the process of one. You have your home layout, interior wall colors, and hardware all picked out. What about those baseboards, though? Have you thought about those yet? What style trim do you want to use? What type of molding fits your style? Are baseboards even a need you want to focus on? How to select the right baseboards for your home? If you panic now, don’t worry; we can help.

How to select the right baseboards for your home? What are they?

The world of baseboards can be overwhelming as it is a very large category that encompasses many different names and many different sizes. You may have heard mention of skirting, trim, crown molding, base molding, and possibly even chair rail. A baseboard is a strip of material, usually wood or vinyl, that covers the joint between a floor and wall. At first glance, baseboards do not command much attention, many people think it’s something they can cut out as not necessary and save some money on their project, but baseboards deserve a second look.

Why do you need baseboards?

The main purpose of baseboard is a functional one. Laying baseboards around the bottom of the wall is a general rule in most home construction as a way to provide covering of imperfections, help avoid damage in high traffic areas and for keeping walls clean around the edges. They serve a secondary purpose as a design element. Baseboards can be customized to your personal preference and are a good idea to add visual balance and style to any room.

To make things less complicated, let’s talk about the 3 most common styles of baseboard and 3 most common materials used for baseboards. Narrowing your choices to 3 helps you focus your ideas and ultimately get to a decision faster. Let’s be honest, the faster you can get to a quick decision the faster you can see the finished product.

Which style of baseboard matches your Interior Design Style? 

Three of the most popular styles of baseboards are Three-Inch Stepped Baseboard Molding, Flat (Apartment Wall) Baseboard Molding, and Tall Sculpted Baseboard Molding. Each of these serve to provide a different look or decorative elements you can customize to the style of your home. Let’s take a look at some current baseboard basics.

One popular type of baseboard is the Three-Inch Stepped Baseboard. This style is on the shorter side and is best matched with a rounded or stepped crown molding. If you are building a new home, this is the style that is most often used in new construction or remodels.

Another common option is Flat Baseboard Molding. Flat baseboard is just as it sounds…flat. This is the style molding often seen in apartments and is not ornate in any way. Flat baseboards are simple baseboards that can pack a lot of punch if you are going for a minimalist or modern aesthetic, as it gives a clean look throughout all rooms.

Last but not least, the Tall Sculpted Baseboard Molding is the most utilized baseboard option. This is a more formal option and is best for houses with high ceilings. Tall Sculpted Baseboard Molding is a great way to add visual interest to large rooms with lots of detail. You will find this type of baseboard in older, expensive homes as it creates a more polished look than basic types of baseboards.

What material is best for baseboards?

Just as with styles, baseboard material can be narrowed down to 3 main types as well. Each of the different materials offers its own benefits. The most common materials used for baseboards are Medium-Density Fiberboard, Plastic, and Wood.

The most used material for baseboards is Medium Density Fiberboard, also called MDF Baseboards. This material is made of recycled natural wood fibers. MDF is not as durable as wood but it is more uniform and easy to cut, making it a popular choice of home builders. This material can also be painted so the customization options are endless.

Another popular option is Plastic or Vinyl Baseboard. There are many ready-to-use options and colors to choose from or you can paint it yourself. Besides having so many low effort options, plastic or vinyl baseboards are long lasting and in most cases will never need replacing. These are the most durable option you can choose.

On the higher end of your material options are the Solid Wood Baseboards. Options in the wood category will range from softer pine baseboards to exotic hardwood baseboards. Wood baseboards can be painted or stained to match your home style and the durability will fluctuate depending on the type of wood you choose.

What are the different baseboard sizes?

The standard size for the Three Inch Stepped baseboards is 3” – 3.5” tall and 5/8” to 7/8” thick. Flat baseboard molding is anywhere between 3.5” to 6” tall, giving you a great range of sizes for stand-alone baseboards or to pair with ceiling trim. The Tall-Sculpted baseboard, being the most decorative, has a size scale anywhere from 5.5” to around 8” tall and from 5/8” to 1” thick, and also a great choice to match with trim work.

How much do baseboards cost?

The deciding factor in most home construction projects is cost. Medium Density Fiber or MDF is the most economical and will run you around .65 – .95 (USD) per foot. Wood options will have a large range of prices depending on the type of wood you decide to go with. Softer woods will start off around .95 (USD) per foot and higher grade hardwoods can cost upwards of $9.00 (USD) per foot. Plastic or Vinyl baseboards will land in the middle of the price spectrum running you anywhere from $ 2.00 – $ 8.00 (USD).

What paint colors are best for baseboards?

White is a great option for baseboards in any room and by far the most popular choice. Using white trim on dark walls will brighten a room; if you have light walls, white trim will give a crisp, clean look. That being said, your trim will reflect your design style. If your wall colors are warm, stay in the warm hues for the trim. Likewise, if you have cooler colors on the wall, your trim should also be in the cool family.

If you happen to be a bold personality, you may dare to paint your trim black and give your white walls a dramatic look! Trim color is something you can experiment with if you feel adventurous but always test a color before you commit.

One last thing. The ultimate decision on how to select the right baseboards for your home is yours. Are baseboards a necessity for your house? No. Will adding a bit of trim here and there add interest to your home? Yes. Will adding baseboards throughout your home bring the look together? Absolutely! Now that you know a bit more about style and materials that can help how to select the right baseboards for your home to match your style and design.  

Baseboard FAQ

Is Shoe molding the same thing as Trim? 

Shoe moldings are thin trim types that run along the bottom of a baseboard. This is a decorative element or can be used to hide any gaps between the floor and baseboard.

Do baseboards need to match trim? 

That depends entirely on your personality and style. While most baseboards and trim are painted to match, forming a consistent look, you can mix it up if you want.

Should Shoe molding match baseboards? 

A good rule of thumb is for shoe molding to match the floor or the baseboard.

What is the most popular baseboard trim? 

Currently the most popular trim for baseboards is half-round shoe molding.

How do you decide what size baseboard trim to use?  

Most modern home designs use 3 to 5 inch baseboards on 8 foot walls and between 5 and 7 inches for 10 foot walls. If going for a dramatic look, use taller baseboards.

Visit my Baseboard Design Inspiration Gallery