Wainscoting — the decorative wood paneling often seen on the lower half of a room’s walls — comes in many styles. The best part? It instantly adds character and unique visual appeal to any room.
Here are three of the most popular options to inspire your home’s design.
1. Beadboard Wainscoting
Want to dress up or add an accent wall to any room? Consider using beadboard planks as wainscoting. The distinguishing features of this classic wood paneling, which contractors typically install vertically, are its evenly spaced grooves that create a subtle texture.
Beadboard planks come prefinished and prepainted in white or various stained shades, so all you have to do is install them on the lower half of your walls using construction adhesive and finishing nails. For a seamless look, caulk gaps and use painter’s tape before painting to create clean edges at the top.
For a truly custom finish, you can prime and paint beadboard planks in any color you like. I like light, bright hues in small spaces to visually expand a room. For a beach house vibe, opt for a soft blue-green. In a farmhouse-style kitchen, try a deep navy hue.
For ease of installation on uneven walls, use shiplap beadboard rather than standard tongue-and-groove beadboard. The shiplap design has rabbeted edges that overlap to conceal imperfections.
2. Board and Batten
Board and batten paneling dates back centuries, making it one of the most classic wainscoting looks. If you like the rustic appeal of exposed wood grain, consider board and batten wainscoting for your space.
Like beadboard, board and batten paneling can be purchased pre-primed and ready to paint. But it’s also easy to create with common lumber.
How to Create Board and Batten From Common Lumber
Take these steps to create board and batten from common lumber:
- Use 1x3s for the battens and wider boards cut from plywood or 1x12s for the wide boards.
- Prime and paint or stain them to match your home’s color palette before installing them on the lower half of walls with construction adhesive and finishing nails.
- Caulk gaps and touch up paint if needed for smooth results.
- For a neat finished edge, install baseboard trim where the wainscoting meets the upper walls. Paint it to match or use a contrasting color.
Board and batten wainscoting brings rustic charm to many design styles, from farmhouse to modern and everything in between. Get creative with colors and patterns by considering a simple two-tone look with white battens and navy boards, or go bold with contrasting hues on every other panel.
3. Picture Frame Wainscoting
Wainscoting is traditionally made of solid wood planks, but DIYers can take an unexpected approach with picture frames, a material that mimics the look of individual panels.
One of the most budget-friendly do-it-yourself approaches to wainscoting is using basic picture frames. Simply adhere frames to the lower half of the wall with construction adhesive. Then, nail through the frames into the wall studs for sturdy support.
Later, paint the wall’s lower portion to match the frames and install a chair rail molding piece where the frames end. This step instantly provides the look of paneled wainscoting at a fraction of the cost of real wood planks.
For a unified finished look, I recommend selecting frames with straight rather than ornate edges.
Black and white frames pop against most wall colors, but you can also opt for natural wood tones or metallics. Mix and match colors and arrange the frames in vertical rows, a stacked brick pattern, or other creative formations.
Frame “wainscoting” cleverly transforms a plain wall into a textured focal point. It’s an easy weekend project that makes a big impact.
Related: See this budget-friendly picture frame wainscoting project in action in our “Dining Room Redo” episode.
So, Is Wainscoting Worth It?
Wainscoting adds stately elegance, texture, and visual interest to walls in any room. The three styles above are among the most popular options to consider for your home. What you choose largely depends on the overall design you want to achieve, from refined traditional to casual cottage style.
If you simply want to cover damaged lower walls, beadboard is an affordable way to do it. But wainscoting can also add architectural detail that makes a dramatic impact. One of the biggest benefits of wainscoting is that it creates a decorated accent wall effect while allowing you to keep upper walls a neutral color. This effect prevents the room from feeling overly dark or closed in. Wainscoting also provides a clean backdrop for displaying art and other collections, making it a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.
FAQs About Wainscoting
How much does it cost to install wainscoting?
The cost to install wainscoting is around $5.50 per square foot. More intricate real wood paneling costs around $40 per square foot installed. However, custom millwork wainscoting can cost over $100 per linear foot.
What tools do you need to install wainscoting?
You’ll need basic tools like a tape measure, stud finder, level, miter saw, table saw or circular saw, drill/driver, air compressor, and brad nailer for most wainscoting projects. Construction adhesive, wood filler, caulk, and paint supplies are also helpful for achieving refined results.
Should wainscoting go all the way to the ceiling?
Wainscoting traditionally only covers the lower one-third to one-half of the walls. Installing it floor to ceiling can make rooms feel boxed in. I recommend leaving the upper walls bare to help maintain an open, spacious feel.
Can you install wainscoting over drywall?
Yes, you can install wainscoting over existing drywall. Prepare the walls by sanding and cleaning so the trim boards adhere properly. Then, attach the boards with construction adhesive and drive finishing nails into the wall studs.
What color should I paint my wainscoting?
White wainscoting is a popular choice, but you can stain or paint your trim boards any color you like. For traditional schemes, consider using white or soft gray wainscoting with off-white upper walls. For a more eclectic look, go bold with navy blue wainscoting and light blue upper walls.
