What is wainscoting?

Many homeowners and interior designers enjoy the look of these wooden panels because of their ability to make any room appear more polished. Because of its adaptability, it’s never been considered a “don’t” in house decor. Here’s the lowdown on how and why wainscoting became so popular, as well as the numerous ways it may be used to enhance the look of your home’s interior.

Exactly what is wainscoting, and why is it so important in interior design?

For centuries, wainscoting has been used as a wall covering to help insulate a room and give a more durable surface than paint-coated sheets of plywood.

Its primary use today is as a decorative wall accent that rises to chair-rail height and enhances the aesthetic attractiveness. It was often made of wood in the past, but today it can be manufactured from several materials and is attached to the lower half of a wall.

To create the style you are going for, the height of this feature can vary.

This panel can be installed as high as 5 feet above the floor for greater impact. The second layer of protection can also be added to the wall by going all the way up to the chair-rail height—leaving the top two feet free for paint or wallpaper.

Material options for wainscoting vary a lot

The variety of wood components used in wainscoting designs today is wide. Medium-density fiberboard, or pressed wood, is a good and cost-effective option for any room except those in direct contact with water. Using real wood for paneling in a bathroom or kitchen will ensure that it can withstand splatters and spills.

Non porous ceramic tile is another option for bathrooms and other wet places. It’s a good choice because of the ease of cleaning.

Wainscoting with beadboard is a great way to achieve a shabby chic, rustic farmhouse effect in a kitchen or room. It’s constructed of a series of vertical plywood planks separated by half-rounded vertical grooves (or “beads”).

A horizontal pattern of interconnecting boards, Shiplap can also give a wainscotting look.

While white shiplap has been popular in the past, painted shiplap can give a space a completely new aesthetic if you don’t want it to have a country vibe.

PVC plastic, embossed metal, and molded drywall are examples of other types of this trim that can provide visual interest and depth to a space.

Wainscoting can be used in a variety of places

Using traditional wainscot designs in white or dark hues, with either straight or beveled edges, in a living room, dining room, or study can offer stylish trim that is timeless and contemporary.

Entryways and stair walls are ideal places to employ this panel treatment because they are often devoid of architectural character.

We propose painting the panels a color other than white to give the room a more informal feel.

Who should you look out for? To achieve a whole wall of brown paneling, experts recommend installing wainscoting to the ceiling. Consider crown molding if you’d want to add trim to the ceiling.

Is it expensive?

Adding this panel to your home can raise its aesthetic value while also providing a sense of comfort and coziness. It’s worth noting, however, that the cost of this wall treatment can vary substantially depending on its composition, the type of panel used, the height (whether to chair-rail level or higher), the room size, and the local market conditions.

Panels made by a factory are the most affordable, costing $8 to $10 per panel. Prices for hardwood panels can range from $12 to $20 per square foot, depending on the species of wood used. The price per square foot increases to around $40 for more expensive wood types and complex decorations.

As long as the user is proficient in measuring precisely and using a chop saw, installing wainscot paneling as a do-it-yourself project is possible.

Wainscoting installation costs can range from $2 to $4 per square foot, depending on the extent of the project and the materials used, but this is a reasonable estimate for a typical dining room.