Gorgeous Wainscoting Ideas for Every Room

Here ’s how to utilize the traditional millwork proficiency known as wainscoting to bestow out the respectable in your infinite .

Whether your home is a new build or comes with 100 twelvemonth of character reference , these wainscoting ideas can help bring out the best in your space . We ’ve also got some baksheesh to assist you make a more usance feel in your household or update existing millwork with a refreshen , timeless look .

What Is Wainscoting?

First , permit ’s get down to basics . Wainscoting is a type of wood paneling that ’s both cosmetic and working . It was a popular addition in eighteenth - 100 homes where it was installed to protect against foundation scuffing and marks — particularly in high - trafficareas like mudrooms , foyers , and bathroom . It ’s traditionally apply to the low-pitched serving of a wall but , these daylight , designers and homeowners likewise are opt for variegate heights , style , and design elements to prevent wainscoting from feel dated .

Wainscoting Design Ideas

Here , you ’ll detect wainscoting melodic theme to assist you reimagine live wainscotting or inspire you to adddecorative wood panelinganywhere a little interest is needed .

Consider Height

Jean Allsopp

Traditional wainscotting stretches 32 - to-42 inch up the bulwark from the baseboard , but that ’s not always the causa . Ceiling tallness may influence what height is appropriate for your space . In this lofty outer space , for example , even 42 - inch wainscot would seem a footling scant . Instead — by opting for a more height - appropriate coating — the eye is describe up to the cathedral ceiling .

Make It Bold

Werner Segarra

Wainscoting is often viewed as a more traditional designing contingent , but that does n’t intend it has to be slow . In this powder way , wainscoting takes centerstage with a pelage of turquoise paint in ahigh - gloss finishthat gives the feature spare luster . The rampart - mounted sump is put within the wall panel for a customs duty tone that ’s both fresh and timeless .

Marry Function and Style

Adam Albright

wreak wainscoting down to earth with perdurable beaded board to suit both the functionality and style of your space . This beaded board delivers a cottage feeling but gets supernumerary credit with the addition of pegleg that are perfect for string up motley item that need a quick drop-off - and - catch spot . Just above the store oarlock , the householder added a dose of personality with a picture ledge to display art and other small decorative items .

Wrap the Space in Wainscoting

Brie Williams

If you ’re looking to elevate a space ( particularly a smaller , more intimate room like a study or dining room),wrapping the entire space in wainscotingdelivers lovingness and an undeniable panache - frontward aesthetic . Keeping the walls and architectural detail — from thecrown moldingto the windows — monochromatic ensures the space does n’t sense too busy .

Elevate a Staircase

Anthony Masterson

A stairway can sometimes get away with being bare bones — unless it ’s a focal point of an entryway . Wainscoting is a nifty way to dress up an entry , but it can rapidly become overly formal . To keep the looking at cohesive , paint your wainscotingand step risers the same color . Then , add visual pastime by playing with color on the paries above the millwork .

Give It a Coastal Feel

Wainscoting might conjure up visions of your momma ’s dining room circa 1994 , which — though endearing — is probably not the look you ’re going for in your primary bathroom . rather , mix things up to work with your aesthetical . For instance , considerusing shiplapas wainscoting . Just as more traditional wainscot would be out of home in this coastal bathroom , so too would a full wall of shiplap . Combining the two make acoastal cottagefeel that ’s just right .

Create a Focal Point

Laura Moss

There are many ways to carve out a focal distributor point in a space , but it ’s hard to replicate the clean lines , crisp particular , and understatedelegance of a bathroomwrapped floor - to - ceiling in expertly craft millwork . A row of shelves is ramp up into this bath corner with overhead light to draw care to the showing within . Overhead , a pendant illumination plays off the elegance of the bathroom wainscoting , cater a end touch that illuminates the space in all its glory .

Enhance Architectural Features

Tria Giovan

Sometimes architectural features need a spotlight to come out of their shell . Here , wainscoting with a more minimalistic approach shot highlight a half - rotunda of windows . The result is millwork that does n’t contend with the windows for care and alternatively , raise the sun - drenched space . To keep a wainscoting design subtle , paint it the same people of color as your walls .

Bring Vintage Charm

Edmund Barr

Beaded board wainscoting will never get erstwhile , though it certainly knows how to fork out sure-enough - macrocosm charm . Consider how you’re able to use both paint color and pattern in a space tofurther the vintage feel . Here , a deep color found within the patterned wallpaper is lend oneself to the millwork throughout the space for cottage vibration from a gone era .

Keep It Functional

Nathan Schroder

Wainscoting is often thought of as a panache upgrade , but it can also play a more functional role in high - dealings space . Whilegrass cloth hit for a sensational wallcovering , it can be both expensive and unvoiced to clean . preserve the assertion - Almighty to the top share of the bulwark where it ’s out of reach of foot scuffs and the littlest ( and stickiest ) hands is one agency to play it safe . To make the most of a in high spirits - traffic infinite like a mudroom , use mellow - lineament paint in a finishing that is easily wipeable . It ’ll congeal you up for success — and fewer touchups .