How to Paint Skirting Boards

Freshly painted skirting boards can make a huge impact on any room, but not knowing how to paint skirting boards is often the force holding you back.

Pick your colour
The addition of coloured skirting boards is one way to update any room in the home, without too much effort. The braver you are, the bolder the colour scheme. Pale pink skirting boards can add a nod of femininity to shades of grey, while a green skirting board can add a touch of nature to a space.
Black skirting boards in a fairly white or neutral room can be one way to truly modernise a space, as can dark grey or blue skirting boards. Though if you’re unsure about how much of a statement you’d like to make, it might be safer to stick to lighter shades of grey.

Prepare the space
For most skirting boards, a two-inch (5cm) brush is ideal. With water-based paint, be sure to use one with synthetic bristles as natural hairs soak up too much paint and apply it too quickly and unevenly.
A clean workspace makes for the most desirable outcomes. Dulux quick-drying satinwood is self-under coating, so you simply need to lightly sand the existing paintwork and remove the dust before you prepare to paint. When sanding down the surface, ensure you brush away any loose dust or chippings, so these do not get caught up with the painting.
Ensure you tape up your edges. Using masking tape around the edge of the floor will help to create clean lines; if your floor is carpeted, push the edges of the tape down with a blunt edge tool – this will ensure no paint “creeps” into the carpet.

Start painting
Work the paint into the brush, up to about halfway up the bristles, wiping away any excess paint. Always cut into the skirting first, applying paint evenly in sections of about half a meter at a time. Ensure you always make your final stroke of the brush along the length of the board.
Using water-based paint is the easiest way to decorate your woodwork. Easy to apply, low odour and anti- yellowing, Dulux Quick Dry water-based paint harnesses the latest technology to take the hassle out of trim-based decorating tasks. Follow the advice on the tin of the paint regarding a second coat, but there is no need to sand between coats. Once the second coat is fully dry, carefully remove the masking tape to unveil your perfectly painted skirting boards.