A lot of homeowners contemplate whether or not they should match their baseboard and wall colors, perhaps because it looks good either way. But should you match the two? We have researched this design dilemma, and this is the answer that we got:
Matching the baseboard and wall colors depends on your personal preference. Whatever you want is the right answer to this question. Both options have their advantages in making your home look better.
Are you still confused about what to choose? We will talk about this issue in more detail to help you in figuring out the color you will paint your baseboards (and maybe the walls too!). By the end of this article, you will be ready to do this task confidently, as we will also teach you how you to paint them properly.
Baseboard and Wall: Should They Match Or Not?
According to an architect, the baseboard can be whatever color that you want. However, you should remember that colors can affect a person's mood so you should take the paint you will use into careful consideration, since it will be displayed throughout the room.
More than just an aesthetic touch, baseboards are necessary for protecting the walls of our house. They are more than just pieces of rectangular wood installed down there near the floor.
Baseboards help in preserving the lower portion of your home's foundation. They shield them from dirt and bumps that vacuums and other floor cleaning devices may cause.
Also, if your floor is made of hardwood, it will probably contract over time. As a result, there will be gaps between it and the wall. Having a baseboard standing between the two can conceal that space, making it look like nothing happened.
Most of the baseboard's color that you see is in contrast to the wall to distinguish the boundary between the two. But the contrasting colors still complement each other and are often a combination of light and dark hues. So why did matching the walls and baseboards become a debate?
Let's look at why some homeowners choose to match the two.
Benefits Of Matching The Baseboard And Wall's Color
The first advantage of painting your wall and baseboard the same color is that it makes the room look taller. Since baseboard looks like linings that stretch out with your wall, it creates an ending effect on the eyes. This is why your room may appear shorter than it is, especially if your ceiling is low and the board is wide.
Next, it provides cohesion. Using one color of paint gets rid of the solid line between the wall and baseboard. They will flow and blend smoothly with one another.
You can eliminate the attention to the baseboard. Since some types have engravings on them, the design can attract attention. If you are planning on making other fixtures or furniture as your focal point, painting the baseboard the same as the walls can do the trick.
This is also ideal if you are after a minimalist, clean look, and it will be easier for you to do touch-ups now and then. Since you are only using a single color, you do not have to put painter's tape to cover the parts in case the paint bleeds.
You can also save time and money because you do not need to purchase two different types of paint.
Disadvantages of Matching The Baseboard And The Wall
There aren't a lot of disadvantages when it comes to matching your baseboard and wall's color. However, doing so may not be the right option for you if you want to do the following:
- Make your wall or ceiling look lower.
- Have different options for the colors you can use on fixtures or furniture.
- Make your baseboard the focal point of the room.
After knowing the pros and cons of painting the baseboard and wall the same color, you may finally decide on which path to take. To help you further, we will present some designs that the other homeowners did. This can also assist you in picturing the benefits and disadvantages that were mentioned above.
Don't know the right size of baseboard for your high ceiling? Read this article: What Size Baseboards For 9 Foot Ceilings?
Baseboard And Wall Color Design Ideas
We'll divide this section into two parts: baseboard and walls that match, and those that don't. We'll share the finished look of both ways of painting. Let's start with the matching designs.
Matching Baseboard And Wall Color
Take a look at our first example. Notice how the wall looks longer, like we discussed earlier.
This seamless-looking wall makes you think that the baseboard is part of it. The smooth transition between the two gives off a clean, minimalist feeling.
The designer chose to adapt the color of the wall and baseboard to the furniture as well. This kind of design shows off cohesiveness, unity, and coordination between the elements.
Not Matching Baseboard And Wall Color
Having a darker color for the baseboard makes the fixtures or decorations on the wall look like they are inside a frame. To add more focal points, put a sconce on top of the item.
See how the baseboard helps in reducing the ceiling's height. These are a great addition to areas of your house if you do not have a lot of ornaments around.
Having a different color for the baseboard can also prevent your space from looking plain. The contrast that it gives to the room can give you more theme options also.
Should Baseboards Be Darker Or Lighter Than Walls?
Darker and lighter baseboards both have charisma. When it comes to light baseboards, white is the most popular choice. It helps highlight the wall's color. It also brightens the room, especially if the contrasting color is dark.
On the other hand, dark baseboards are known for effectively framing your home's casings. Since it gives a more solid lining, it balances a light wall's soft visual effect.
What Is The Best Paint Sheen For Baseboard?
The recommended sheen for the baseboard is gloss or semi-gloss. This type of paint finish reflects light, which means the bottom part of your wall won't look too dark. It is also easier to clean.
How To Paint A Baseboard
Whether you choose to match your baseboard and wall colors or not, you might be painting either way. If you don't know how to approach the job, we'll thoroughly discuss the steps with you.
Step 1
Clean the baseboard's surface, including the lines between it, the floor, and the wall. There are probably dust and particles trapped in that thin gap.
You can use a mixture of water and the instructed amount of Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) cleaner in a bucket as a solution. For more accurate measurements of the ingredients, refer to the product's label.
A TSP cleaner can help remove the dirt on the surface before painting. The cleaner also increases.the surface's adhering ability and durability. However, TSP can irritate the eyes and skin, so make sure to wear protective gloves and glasses when working with this type of product.
Check out this TSP cleaner on Amazon.
Step 2
Fill in any holes that are present. Insert an adequate amount of wood filler and flatten it out with a putty knife.
Check out this wood filler on Amazon.
Step 3
Sand the baseboard and the wood-filled areas. This will prepare your surface for the paint that is going to be applied.
Check out this sandpaper on Amazon.
Step 4
Lay a newspaper, plastic, or painter's tape on the lining between the baseboard, the wall, and the floor. This is to protect them from paint bleeding. Clean the surface after doing so.
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Step 5
Get your brush and primer. Brush an adequate amount of primer along the baseboard in a straight, horizontal direction. Do this until you cover the whole board with primer.
Step 6
Once the primer is dry, you can now apply your chosen color of paint. Wait for it to dry before applying the next coat. Repeat this process until you achieve your desired coverage.
Final Thoughts
Your baseboard does not have to match your wall's color. Depending on the effect and finish you want to achieve, you can choose the option that best suits your particular style.
If you want to make your room look longer, smoothly blended, and have a single color, you can opt for matching your baseboard and wall colors. However, if you want the room to seem smaller, framed, and defined, choose a color for your baseboard that contrasts with your wall—whether it is darker or lighter.