Skirting boards in modern interiors are no longer an afterthought — they're a deliberate design choice. The right profile can reinforce a clean, architectural aesthetic, add subtle texture, or even become a bold statement feature. Here's a guide to the best skirting board styles for contemporary homes.
What Makes a Skirting Board 'Modern'?
Modern skirting board styles are characterised by clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and a focus on geometry rather than decorative curves. Where traditional profiles like Ogee and Torus draw attention to themselves, modern profiles are designed to complement the room without competing with it.
The Best Modern Skirting Board Profiles
Square Edge
The most minimal profile available. A completely flat face with a sharp 90° top edge — no curves, no detail, just a clean geometric line. Square Edge skirting is the go-to choice for Scandi-inspired, industrial, and ultra-minimal interiors. It works particularly well when painted in the same colour as the wall for a seamless, shadow-gap effect.
Pencil Round
A flat face with a subtle rounded top edge. The Pencil Round adds just enough softness to prevent the board from looking harsh, while remaining firmly in the minimal camp. It's one of the most versatile modern profiles and works in a wide range of contemporary settings.
Bullnose
A fully rounded top edge that creates a smooth, flowing transition from the skirting face to the top. Bullnose is clean and contemporary, with a slightly softer feel than Square Edge. It's a popular choice in family homes where a modern look is desired without the starkness of a sharp edge.
V Groove
A flat face with one or two V-shaped grooves running horizontally. The groove adds subtle architectural detail and shadow lines without any curves or traditional ornamentation. V Groove skirting is increasingly popular in contemporary new builds and renovated period properties with a modern interior.
One & Two Square Groove
Similar to V Groove but with square-cut recesses rather than V-shaped ones. The square groove gives a crisper, more architectural feel and pairs particularly well with modern joinery and cabinetry.
Height Considerations for Modern Interiors
In contemporary design, taller skirting boards are increasingly used as a deliberate architectural feature. A 166mm or 220mm Square Edge board in a room with standard 2.4m ceilings makes a bold statement and adds a sense of quality and considered design. This oversized skirting trend is particularly popular in minimal, monochromatic interiors.
Colour & Finish
Modern skirting boards are most commonly painted in one of three ways:
- Brilliant white — the classic choice, crisp and clean against any wall colour.
- Matched to the wall — painting skirting the same colour as the wall creates a seamless, architectural look that's very on-trend.
- Deep accent colour — navy, charcoal, forest green, or black skirting against lighter walls grounds the room and adds drama.
A satin or eggshell finish is recommended for durability and ease of cleaning.
Our Modern Skirting Board Range
All our moisture-resistant MDF skirting boards are available in Square Edge, Pencil Round, Bullnose, V Groove, One Square Groove, and Two Square Groove profiles — in heights from 95mm to 166mm, primed or unprimed. Browse the full range at Univers Skirting & Architrave.