Many homeowners and interior designers appreciate wood trim because it makes any room seem a little more neat. Wainscoting is a centuries-old decorative wall trim that will never go out of style, perhaps due to its versatility. There's a type of panel to suit almost every design style.
Here, we'll take a closer look at where this trend came from, and (more importantly) the different ways you can use wainscoting to enhance the appeal of your home's interiors.
What you need to know about wainscoting
Wainscoting came into use in the 18th century as a wall covering applied to the lower third of the wall. It started out as a way to protect walls, and it is also known as a chair rail (a less luxurious Similar to (not a form of wood trim). By this time the walls were made of plaster, and plaster restoration was relatively expensive. A thin strip of chair rail would have worked, but wainscoting covers much more of the wall than chair rail, so it has the side benefit of being a good way to insulate a room.
Currently, the main use of wainscoting is as a decorative molding that helps make a room more visually appealing. Historically, wainscoting was made of wood, but today's wall panels can be made from a variety of materials, said Dana Hairston, owner and decorator. She is a designer at Dayziner in Cary, North Carolina. Other materials include PVC plastic, embossed metal, and molded drywall. All of these can add texture and style to a room.
Photo courtesy of Upside Development
The height of this detail depends on the design of the room and the look you are trying to achieve.
Wainscoting that's 5 feet or taller has more impact, says Barbara Mount of Barbara Mount Designs and Windermere Realty Group in Lake Oswego, Oregon. You can use it well beyond the height of the chair rail, leaving only the top two feet for painting or accent wallpaper.
Waistboards are available in a variety of materials
Today's wainscot designs span all wood products. Depending on the value of the home, some contractors use medium density fiberboard. This is a manufactured product, also known as pressed wood, and is a great cost-effective choice for any room except kitchens and bathrooms, says Mount. When exposed to bathroom steam, the fiberboard expands over time, causing the product to become wavy and puffy.
“If you want this panel element in your bathroom or kitchen, use real wood because it can withstand splashes and spills,” she added.
Another option for bathrooms and other moisture-prone areas is wainscoting made of ceramic tiles. This is attractive because it is non-porous and easy to clean.
Photo courtesy of C&M Woodworking
If you want to create a shabby chic, rustic, farmhouse look in your kitchen or den, you may want to consider beadboard wainscoting. It has historically been made from a series of thin vertical wooden boards separated by wooden “beads”.
Another option you can choose is shiplap. This is a horizontally installed connecting board several times the width of beadboard.
“While white shiplap is trending, painted shiplap can give a room a country feel,” says Nikki James, studio manager at Dallas homebuilder Ashton Woods. Those looking for a more traditional look may be more satisfied with full wood panels.
Wainscoting is a versatile trim for many rooms
Traditional wainscot designs add sophistication to living rooms, dining rooms, or dens, with straight or beveled edges, whether the wood is painted, natural, or stained. You can add trim.
Mount's favorite use for this panel treatment is along entryways and staircase walls, as these spaces typically lack architectural interest.
James loves having wainscot panels and beadboard designs in his powder room.
“Most guests will see this room during their visit,” she says.
To achieve a less formal look, Hairston recommends painting wainscot panels an accent color rather than traditional white.
What should you avoid? Experts say the entire wall is covered in brown panels and wainscoting runs all the way to the ceiling, which is too reminiscent of a '70s break room. If you want to install trim near the ceiling, consider crown molding.
Is wainscot processing expensive?
Wainscoting can add value and warmth to a space, making it a worthwhile investment from a design perspective. However, the cost of this wall treatment will vary widely depending on the material, type and size of panels used, height (chair rail level or above), room size, and local market availability. -Chain availability..
According to recent data from HomeAdvisor, “The average cost of wainscoting is $1,325, or about $5.50 per square foot.” You can expect to pay between $1,050 and $1,600, including materials and labor.”
“Installing wainscot panels can definitely be done as a DIY project if the user is skilled at accurate measurements and knows how to use a chop saw,” says Hairston. However, it is usually recommended to have a skilled carpenter perform the installation. She recommends requesting a local installer from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry site.