We repainted a couple of months ago and used Smoke Green on the skirting boards with James White on the walls again. So pleased with the colours, our house is a 1930s build and we try to pick colours that wouldn't have been out of place then, that will go with our '30s style furniture. Subscribe now and save, give a gift subscription or get help with an existing subscription. The best way to clean skirting boards if you can’t bend down is to use a soft, long-handled brush, an extendable feather duster or an eMop to sweep away any dust. You could also use your vacuum tools to suck up the dust instead; be sure to use the soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the paintwork rather than the harder crevice tool.

Using the right paintbrush for the job will ensure a professional finish every time. Of course the type of paintbrush needed will depend on the kind of paint being used, and the object that is to be painted

How to get the perfect paint finish

Regarding the type of paint, you can, of course, check the paint can and also the cleaning instructions. If the paint cleans off in water, it is water-based paint, and if it needs solvent, then it is oil-based paint.
• Water-based paint requires a synthetic brush. Wet the brush through and then spin it before adding the paint
• Solvent-based paint can be applied with a synthetic brush, but professional painters prefer a natural bristle. The natural bristle needs to be broken in to produce the best results, so for infrequent use, a synthetic bristle is ideal for using straight from the packet
When it comes to selecting the width of paintbrush to use - the following guide can be used:
• ¾” angled brush is the best for windows. It is easy to get into the corners with this small brush and use a paint kettle too so you only have a small amount of paint to move around.

• 1” brush makes light work of door frames, stairway spindles and small edges.

• 1 ½” brushes are best for larger door frames and skirting boards.
• 2” brush should be used for cupboard doors and dado rails.
• 2 ½” brushes are excellent for painting panelled doors, beams and large furniture.
• 3” and 4” are reserved for larger objects like garage doors and floors.

Tips for getting the best results when painting

Use angled brushes whenever details are small; the point helps to paint with precision. To speed painting up, use the widest brush possible for the area you are painting. Between coats of paint, wrap the brushes in plastic wrap so the brushes don't dry out. Having a variety of brushes to hand helps to speed up the work, and it enables you to complete the job more effectively. To create a brush-mark free finish, ‘lay off’ the paint by passing just the tips of your brush over the wet paint surface to remove any lines.

Look after your paintbrushes

Quality paint brushes improve with use so it is important to look after them well. Take time to clean brushes thoroughly after use - for water-based paint warm, soapy water is best, and oil-based paint requires a purpose-made solvent remover. Work the correct liquid through the bristles until all the paint has been worked loose, then spin the brush to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Spinning can be done by hand, or by using a professional brush spinner. The next step is to comb the bristles with a paint brush comb, or a dog comb works too, then lay the brush flat to dry. Treat the bristles with fabric conditioner or hair conditioner to prolong the life of the brush further. Once it is completely dry, put the brush back into its original packaging to keep the correct shape - some professional even place their brushes in a vapour box to keep them in tip-top condition.

At Hamilton, we, of course, have a wide selection of paintbrushes and with varying sizes. You can view all our ranges by visiting our Hamilton Paint Brush section.

When it comes to home decoration and renovations, one of the most obvious things you can do to breathe new life into rooms is by freshening up the walls. However, you could have the most beautifully painted walls ever seen be brought down by skirting boards that are worn out. It’s surprising that a small strip of wood around the bottom of the wall could affect the look of a room so much, but skirting boards really finish things off.

Skirting boards, sometimes referred to as mopboards or baseboards, perform a simple but important role in both complementing and helping to accentuate the lines and colour of walls and flooring, but also have the practical function of protecting the lower part of the wall. Whether it’s errant feet, mops or brushes, skirting boards help prevent those hard-to-reach areas between wall and floor clean.

Naturally, skirting boards themselves need some love and attention to make sure that they fit the aesthetic of your room and keep up that protection. When it comes to skirting board paints, there are a few different options that offer up the hardiness and long life necessary. Read on for our lowdown of the best options out there.

Rainbow The One Multi Purpose

Aiming to provide an all-in-one solution to your painting needs, the aptly-named The One from Rainbow Paints is a solid choice for an all-round decorating solution. It’s available in 10 different colours, with bold yet understated shades that are sure to complement any room.

Key to the One’s appeal it the combination of paint and primer in the one tin, meaning that once your skirting boards are prepared to be painted, you should only need the one coat of this. Its thick and hard-wearing consistency makes it suitable for the potentially high-traffic area at the base of walls. Additionally, the water-based solution makes cleaning your brushes/rollers in warm water a breeze. A VOC-free (Volatile Organic Compound) formula also ensures no nasty paint smells and keeps it environmentally sound, and with a quick drying time, you’ll be ready to move onto the next part of your decorating in no time.

Pros

• One coat
• Dries quickly
• No VOCs
• Easy to clean
• Versatile

Johnstone’s Quick Dry Interior Wood and Metal

Available in 10 different shades, this quick drying offering from Johnstone’s aims to be a versatile choice for many household applications including the skirting boards. The colour selection is sure to offer up the right balance with the rest of your room’s scheme, with the satin finish giving some subtle shine and class.

This quick-dry formula, which is water-based, takes a lot of the time out of the process of painting the skirting boards, so even if a couple of coats are needed you’re never going to be waiting more than a couple of hours between coats. A water base also makes it straightforward to clean the inevitable scuff marks from shoes. The paint itself is hard-wearing and resistant to yellowing, perfect for resisting stubbed toes on the boards and ensuring it’ll keep your skirting looking beautiful for years.

Pros

• Quick dry formula
• Easy to clean
• Hard-wearing
• Good colour selection

Dulux Non Drip High Sheen Gloss

Nothing beats shine for bringing more light into a room, and that’s where Dulux’s Non Drip Gloss comes into its own. The high sheen formula is specifically designed to brighten, and on skirting boards prevents those corners from becoming shadowy and dusty. A non-drip formula also makes it super straightforward to work with and makes it easy to keep things clean.

A versatile paint for many applications around the house, Dulux designed this paint to be long-lasting and easy to use. As well as being non-drip, the paint is ‘self-undercoating’ which takes steps out of the painting process. With a long life guaranteed, this high sheen gloss from Dulux is sure to keep your skirting boards looking smart and shiny for years to come.

Cons

• Limited colour selection
• Hard to clean brushes

Ronseal Ultra Tough Matt Paint

The classic adage from Ronseal is very much evident here, with this super hard-wearing household paint. It meets the needs of skirting board paint in two key areas; it’s ultra tough and will take all the scuffs, scraped furniture and knocks from mops and vacuum cleaners that you can throw at it, and stays white throughout without yellowing.

The formula for this paint has been designed with primer and paint combined, allowing you to paint directly onto your skirting boards once cleaned and prepared. It’s also available in a couple of different finishes, whether you’re aiming for a more subtle matt finish or a bolder satin look. It’s also touch-dry in only a couple of hours, taking a lot of time out of the job.

Cons

• Lack of colours

Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood

This quick-drying formula from Dulux is a very versatile paint aiming to take the hassle out of brightening up your skirting boards. The satinwood finish offers up a smart, classy finish sitting between matt and glossy shades, helping light up your living spaces without being ostentatious.

Wood Skirting Board

The paint itself is a water-based formula, with multiple advantages. Firstly, it’s quick to dry (as the name suggests) and is fully dry in 6 hours, but touch dry in just one. Water-based paints are also low-odour, and Dulux designed this to be non-drip for the greatest ease in painting. Paints with water bases are also easy to clean; the painted surface can be wiped off, while the brushes usually just need warm water. This also promises long-lasting protection, so painting your skirting boards doesn’t have to be a regular job.

Pros

• Quick drying
• Easy to use
• Long-lasting
• Great finish

Which Skirting Board Paint To Go For?

Painting your skirting boards is an important thing to put a cherry on top of an already well-decorated room. It’s important to choose the right one to make sure you’re getting the right finish, something that cleans easily as well and ultimately offers a paintjob that will last. If you’re still not quite sure what to go for from our reviews, here’s a roundup of the best overall as well as the best value.

Best Skirting Board Paint – The Ronseal Ultra Tough Matt Paint is surely the best paint for the job, thanks to its ultra long life and tough protection. Skirting boards are prone to scuffs and dirt, but the Ultra Tough can stand up to these no problem, and with a nice finish to really enhance a room, allows you to paint and forget (for 10 years, at least).

Best Value – Johnstone’s Quick Dry Interior Wood and Metal stands up as the best value offering for painting your skirting boards. Put simply, it’s available in larger quantities for the same, if not lower, price than its competitors but has the quality to boot.

Skirting Board Paint FAQ

How to paint skirting boards with carpet

To avoid dragging carpet fluff onto the skirting boards, or paint onto the carpet, it’s vital to have good quality wide masking tape. Working from corner to corner, press the edge of the tape flat against the carpet and flush to the skirting board, making sure to press the edge of the tape into the gap between carpet and board.

How to paint a skirting board

Firstly, make sure you’ve applied masking tape to the flooring and the wall above the boards. Gently but thoroughly clean and sand the boards, and paint evenly using long, deliberate strokes that go with the grain of the wood.

Which paint for skirting boards?

Best Paint Brush For Skirting Boards For A

A wood paint is essential for skirting boards, and while the finish is up to you and how you’ve decorated your house, it’s important to get something hard-wearing and with a clean, classy and smooth finish.