Skirting boards do a practical job (protecting the bottom of your walls and covering the wall-to-floor join), but they also set the “frame” of the room. Get the height right and everything looks intentional; get it wrong and the space can feel a bit top-heavy (too tall) or unfinished (too small).
This guide uses ceiling height as the starting point, then shows you how to adjust for room size, style, and the look you want.
1) Start with what’s “normal” in the UK
If you’re unsure, it helps to know what most people end up choosing. In UK homes, a widely used skirting height is around 145mm, and common off-the-shelf sizes typically sit in the 120–230mm range (with smaller and much taller options available too).
Why does 145mm show up so often? Because it tends to look balanced in rooms with “standard” ceiling heights (often around 2.4m in many modern homes).
2) Use ceiling height to pick a sensible range
Designers tend to think in proportions rather than fixed numbers. One commonly shared rule of thumb is to aim for skirting that’s roughly 7–8% of the room height for a balanced look.
That’s a guide, not a law — but it’s a useful anchor when you’re stuck between sizes.
Quick calculator (7–8% rule)
- 2.4m ceiling → 168–192mm
- 2.7m ceiling → 189–216mm
- 3.0m ceiling → 210–240mm
If you prefer a slightly subtler modern look, you can drop below the calculator range. If you’re aiming for a more traditional or “grand” feel, you can go to the upper end (or beyond).
3) A practical ceiling-height guide you can actually use
| Ceiling height | Skirting height that usually suits | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ~2.4m | 70–145mm | Keeps the room feeling open; avoids “shrinking” the walls visually. |
| ~2.4m to ~2.7m | 120–170mm | Balanced in most standard rooms; enough presence without dominating. |
| ~2.7m to ~3.0m+ | 170–220mm+ | Gives taller walls a proper base; helps larger rooms feel finished. |
4) Adjust based on the style of your home
Ceiling height is the foundation, but property style often decides the final pick:
- Modern / clean-lined interiors: shorter skirting (often 70–145mm) with simpler profiles can feel sharp and contemporary.
- Traditional homes: mid to taller skirting (145–220mm) tends to suit classic proportions and more decorative trim.
- Period properties and grand rooms: taller skirting (often 200mm+) can look “right” because the architecture was designed with stronger vertical detailing.
5) Don’t forget the “match” with architrave and other trim
Skirting rarely sits alone. A good-looking room usually has consistent trim scale:
- Wider architraves often pair better with taller skirting.
- Minimal architraves usually look cleaner with shorter skirting.
- If you’re replacing just the skirting, compare it against your existing doors and frames before committing.
6) Practical considerations that affect the height
- Walls that aren’t perfect: older plaster and wavy walls can be easier to “forgive” with a slightly taller board.
- Flooring changes: thicker flooring can benefit from slightly taller skirting to keep proportions looking right.
- Busy rooms: hallways, kitchens and utility areas often benefit from more height simply because they take more knocks.
7) Two easy ways to test before you buy
- Painter’s tape mock-up: mark different heights on the wall and step back to see what feels right.
- Sample length: place a short offcut against the wall in natural light before committing.
Summary: a simple way to choose
- Standard ceilings (~2.4m): start around 120–170mm, with 145mm being a common safe choice.
- Taller ceilings (~2.7m+): consider 170–220mm+ for a more grounded look.
- Use proportion: the 7–8% guideline is a helpful sense check, not a rule.
0 comments