How to Select the Right Baseboard Styles for Your Home

Baseboards might seem like a minor detail, but your baseboard plays a significant role in how your room looks. The types of baseboards you use can give your space a new look or tie a design together.

There are many baseboard options on the market. If you’re wondering how to choose baseboards – you aren’t alone. With so many baseboard styles and baseboard materials on the market, how do you know which is right for your home?

In this quick guide, we’ll go over some tips and tricks for selecting the right baseboard styles for all the rooms in your house.

The Basics: Baseboard Options

Baseboards are the moulding or trim that covers the seam between the floor and wall. There are several baseboard styles, including beaded, ornate, smooth, square, curved, and more. Baseboards can also be a variety of colors, sizes, and heights.

There are several baseboard materials, too. Solid wood finger jointed wood, and MDF (medium-density fiberboard) baseboards are among the most popular material choices.

Choosing the material often comes down to budget or color preference, so it’s easier to determine which material is right for your house. Choosing the style is the challenging part.

Let’s look through some of the top modern baseboard styles and what types of homes they pair best with.  

Which Baseboard Style Matches Your Design Direction?

See which baseboard options go best with these five popular design trends:

1. Keep it Simple for the Modern Farmhouse

The Modern Farmhouse is all about creating fresh and inviting spaces with light, bright, and minimal design. So, it’s only fitting that the best baseboard moulding styles for a modern farmhouse motif are simple, flat, and angular. You can’t go wrong with crisp white or cream colors to really accentuate the style.

2. New Traditional Style Homes Call for Bold Baseboard Moulding Styles

New Traditional homes merge the tailored appeal of a classic style with the sophistication and intrigue of modern interior design. Curves, bevels, and unique features are welcomed in new traditional baseboards. It’s not uncommon to see base caps in new traditional homes. Base caps are simply a small decorative cap to put on top of a more conventional baseboard to make it more intriguing.  

3. Curved Baseboards for Shabby Chic Rooms

The Shabby Chic design is identified by its delicate, effortless appearance and is as its name suggests – both shabby and chic.. It’s about pairing distressed elements with elegantly crafted ones. Curved baseboards in cream colors and soft pastels tend to go well in shabby chic designs.  

4. Vintage Industrial Homes Call for Flat and Angular Baseboards

Bold lines, sharp angles, and exposed concrete are all marks of Vintage Industrial design. It’s a rugged design style that’s urban, edgy, and strong. Generally, Vintage Industrial homes call for straight lines and very square and angular trim styles. 

However, any baseboard that accentuates the straight lines and hard angles of the motif is free game, like in the above example. The vintage industrial design aesthetic is also a great style for trying out contrasting baseboard colors rather than the standard white-on-white. For that reason, MDF could be a preferred baseboard material choice over solid wood in vintage industrial homes.

5. Clean and Smooth for Contemporary Craftsman Style Rooms

Contemporary Craftsman style design is all about highlighting the beauty of the craftsmanship and build. Generally, these rooms will highlight handcrafted features or interesting textures. 

It’s best to stick with flat, angular baseboards that don’t distract from this aesthetics' simplicity and quiet beauty. However, the baseboard materials and build must be high-quality. Low-quality materials or poorly crafted baseboard styles could ruin an otherwise perfect craftsman-style space. As far as materials go, a Contemporary Craftsman style room would benefit from solid wood baseboards for authenticity.  

Additional Types of Baseboard Trim and Moulding

When it comes to adding the finishing touches to your home’s interior design, there are many types of baseboards and trim that can make a significant impact. Here are some distinct, different types of baseboard trim and applications to consider:

Elegant Profile with Intricate Details

Are you looking for elegant types of baseboard molding? This baseboard features a sophisticated, layered design with intricate detailing that adds a touch of uniqueness to any room. It’s ideal for traditional or classic interiors where elaborate and refined elements are appreciated.

Simple and Sleek

You can never go wrong by choosing a minimalist look. The simple, flat design of this baseboard is perfect for modern and minimalist homes. Its clean lines and understated appearance make it a versatile choice that complements a wide range of contemporary interior designs. The square base at the top of the trim gives it just a smallest note of character.

Bold and Blocky

This bold, blocky baseboard stands out with its thick profile and straight edges. It’s one of the best types of baseboard trim for industrial or urban loft designs, where strong lines and a straightforward aesthetic are key to making the design shine.

Low-Profile and Subtle

Similar to the above design, this baseboard is subtle yet stylish—and also smaller in height—which makes it suitable for modern or transitional interiors. This is one of our favorite types of baseboard molding styles because its simplicity ensures that it will blend seamlessly with various design elements without overpowering them.

Detailed Décor 

This decorative baseboard offers intricate details and a more pronounced profile, which makes it ideal for vintage or shabby chic interiors. Its ornate design adds a touch of old-world charm and sophistication to any room.

Clean Lines with a Modern Touch

Combining clean lines with a slightly angular design, this baseboard brings a modern touch to any space. It’s a great choice for contemporary or mid-century modern homes that want to achieve a sleek and polished finish.

Smooth Edges

The rounded and smooth profile of this baseboard provides a soft and subtle finish that is perfect for cozy and casual interiors. This softness works well in rustic or cottage-style homes where comfort and simplicity are the main priorities. Some people consider this to be the best type of baseboard molding.

Less is More

This tiny quarter-round baseboard is designed for modern, minimalistic interior designs where less is more. Although some might think it’s one of the more different types of baseboard trim on this list, the simple trim edge can add a subtle statement to any room—something that even the most elegant trims styles struggle to do.

Traditional with a Twist

Blending traditional elements with a contemporary twist, this baseboard features classic details with modern execution. It’s versatile enough to fit in eclectic or transitional homes, and bridges the gap between old and new styles.

Understated and Versatile

The understated design of this baseboard makes it a versatile option for various interior styles. Its straightforward profile can seamlessly integrate into both traditional and modern homes to create a clean and cohesive look that everyone will love.

How to Choose Baseboards for Your Home

Which modern baseboard styles are right for your home? Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference. If you want the types of baseboards that fit your home’s décor, the right baseboards depend on your existing aesthetic and what you’re trying to achieve with your baseboards.

If your current design is traditional, farmhouse, industrial, or craftsman – go for simple, flat, and angular baseboards. If your home’s design is more bohemian, colonial, or shabby chic – opt for ornate curves. For new traditional, use curves and bevels to make an impact.

As far as color goes, white and cream-colored baseboards are always a safe bet, but there are no limits! Some designs allow for more flexibility with the color scheme, so do what feels right in your home.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you transform your home with baseboard trim and moulding!