Initially, having come into place to help insulate homes, wainscoting has come a long, long way. It is believed that centuries ago when our beloved central heating had not come into existence yet, wainscoting helped provide extra warmth and withhold heat within the home. The wood used in creating these designs would additionally act as an insulator, along with being an attractive design.
So wainscoting is that decorative element that is used to add character and interest to a room. It generally consists of wooden panels or mouldings applied to the lower portion of a wall or the wall around the perimeter of a room.
The purpose of wainscoting is to protect the lower portion of the wall from damage and to add visual interest to a space as it does nowadays. Many wainscoting styles include traditional raised panels, beadboard, painted, and textured. It can be used all around your house, including in bathrooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.
It can even be made of different materials such as wood, MDF, PVC, etc., depending on your budget and the design that you are going for.
Let’s through some types of wainscoting ideas to help you form a better understanding of them;
Traditional raised panel wainscoting: This style features raised panels set in a frame and is often used in formal spaces such as dining rooms and libraries.
Beadboard wainscoting: Beadboard wainscoting is a classic, casual look that works well in spaces like bathrooms, mudrooms, and kitchens.
Painted wainscoting: Painted wainscoting is a versatile option that can be used in any room and can be painted in any colour to match the room’s wainscoting chair rail: This style features a horizontal strip of moulding (a chair rail) that is installed at the height of about 32-36 inches.
Textured wainscoting: This style features a textured surface that can be achieved using materials like reclaimed wood, shiplap, or beadboard.
Decorative wainscoting: This style features a unique design, such as a geometric pattern or a mural, and can be created using paint or stencils.
Combination of styles: Mixing different kinds of wainscoting can create a unique and exciting look that works well in any room.
Now let’s dive into some of the wainscoting ideas that we have picked for you to help you dress up your walls;
Bathroom Wainscoting Ideas
Bathrooms could be that small room that matters but not as much for some, while for others, it could be a sanctuary that they count on to unwind. It can be subjective. Similarly, when it comes to how you might like the walls to be done in your bathroom, that can also vary from person to person.
As people, some of us put maintenance first, while others go by the look of things. While it could be too simple for some people, for others, it is that perfect element that ties the whole look together. Here are some ideas we’ve picked for you;
White Bathroom Wainscoting
Let’s start with the classic white. It is simple and elegant, making your space look much more put together than ever. It adds an element of style but is manageable too. Simple and chic!
Painted Bathroom Wainscoting
While some people prefer to stick to the primary white colour, others could want to experiment and try more colourful things. In that case, you can always go for pastel, softer shades complimenting your walls for the bathroom wainscoting.
Stained Wood Wainscoting Bathroom
This might seem like some people’s cake, but it is quite the statement regarding bathrooms. The dark wood bathroom wainscoting is unique and the lesser chosen option for bathrooms. Although wood can sometimes be tougher to maintain in areas like washrooms and toilets, it is also the perfect standout element you can add to your home.
Bedroom Wainscoting Ideas
Classic Wainscoting Ideas for Bedroom
They say home is where the heart is, but we say the bedroom is where the soul is. We rest, relax, daydream, envision, and do much more in our bedrooms.
Wainscoting in the bedroom is more towards the traditional side and has to be simpler and easier to manipulate. Many people also opt for full wall height level wainscoting, which looks elegant and makes a statement in the bedroom.
Dining Room Wainscoting Ideas
Dining rooms are private spaces where families spend time telling each other about their day while having meals. Dining areas can also be the food spot for throwing a party. Wainscoting adds a certain luxe feel to the whole space.
Either way, there are essential and very versatile areas of our homes. We often get the opportunity to overlook dining areas from our living rooms, lobbies, or kitchens. Although it may be a straightforward corner of your home, you can always make it shine and bring it forward by adding some focus to the walls.
Traditional Wainscoting for Dining Room
You can always go with something traditional in any common area, such as the dining area. Some simplistic, classic panelling helps create that perfect upgrade to a previously unnoticed space.
One thing to always keep in mind if you are going for traditional wainscoting, an unspoken rule, is that the wainscot’s height should be around one-third of the height of the wall. This creates a more cohesive look and gives a slightly old-school, traditional impact.
Stairway Wainscoting Ideas
Stairway wainscoting used to be one of the house’s first and most used types of wainscoting. It is a design feature that highlights and draws attention to the stairs. It can be considered a tiny detail, although compared with plain painted walls, these wainscot walls give a more elegant impression.
Another way that wainscoting can be used is with any art or wall hangings. Use the wainscoting to contour and highlight any pictures or paintings you want to hang or showcase on that staircase.
Non-Traditional Wainscoting Ideas
So, we’ve gone through many of the traditional options to consider, but what if that conventional wainscoting is different from your style? What to do, then?
The answer is, do as you, please! It is as simple as that. It is your home; you make the rules. It doesn’t have to be done as per a rule book; it can instead just be something you like for the reasons best felt by you. You can get as creative as possible with the trim, panelling, boards, and other materials. It is good to go if you can create something that resonates with you.
Although we will let you go freestyle with the kind of wainscoting you want, we have some tips and tricks to help you create a more cohesive and visually appealing design. For example, avoid working with odd numbers. Instead, go for even division to help keep it pleasing and subtle for the eyes. Anything oddly divided will gather unwanted attention in the centre of the wall, away from the main point of focus.
Another thing to pay attention to is the placement of the textures and widths. If you are working with heavier material or wider mouldings, try to place them towards the lower, floor-touching side. Keep the lighter, thinner boards and mouldings set higher. This would create a sense of depth and make the wall seem well-anchored.
Full-wall Length Wainscoting
Another option seen in some of the previous examples has got to be full-wall-length wainscoting. And if we get to thinking, it does make sense. It is one of the best ways to accent one room wall, making it as formal as possible while not being too expensive. This type of wainscoting may seem too much, but it can be perfect if done right.
Floor-to-ceiling wainscot gives you excellent coverage and transforms your walls and room into a more refined and elegant space. It could seem overwhelming, but trust us; the results are worth it. This wainscoting is most commonly used to lift dining rooms, bedrooms, and entryways. By creating an entire wall of wainscoting, you can immediately make the best backdrop in any home space and perfect that with coordinated pieces of artwork.
Wainscoting is a work of décor that needs to be planned and thought out at least a little beforehand. When installing wainscoting, there are a few things that we think you must keep in mind:
Measure space on hand: Measure the area where you will install the wainscoting to ensure that you have suitable materials.
Make your choice: Choose the appropriate style of wainscoting for your space. Several types include raised panels, flat panels, and beadboards.
Decide on the height and design: Determine the height of the wainscoting. Standard height is typically around 32 inches, but it can be customized to suit your space.
Choose the suitable material: Consider the type of material you want. Common materials include wood, MDF, PVC, and beadboard.
Do all the necessary prepping: Prepare the wall surface by cleaning it and ensuring it is level.
Use levelling tools to check alignment: Use a level and a plumb line to ensure that the wainscoting is installed straight.
Add an extra coat of paint or stain: Apply a coat of paint or stain to protect the wainscoting and give it a finished look.
Get professionals in the act if needed: Hire a professional if you are not confident to experiment your diy wainscoting ideas or feel you need assistance and guidance.
Wainscoting can be an attractive and functional addition to any room. Installing wainscoting can add visual interest to a room, increase the property’s overall value, and add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a room, complementing various decorating styles. It can help protect walls from dings, scratches, and stains, prolonging their life and making them easier to clean.
It can be used in various dining rooms, bathrooms, hallways, and entryways. Although wainscoting was initially used to provide insulation to a room, even today, it can help reduce heating and cooling costs. It is relatively easy to maintain and can be wiped down or dusted with a damp cloth to keep it looking new.
Wainscoting is available in various styles, colours, and materials, which allows for a high level of customization to suit individual preferences and the room’s overall design. Adding wainscoting is also considered a relatively inexpensive way to update the look of a room compared to other remodeling options.
Wainscoting seems intimidating to some, but we hope we helped inspire you and some unique wainscoting ideas in you. There are so many different ways in which you can completely turn around your rooms and make them seem more elegant, classy, and beautiful. So take up that remodeling project you have procrastinated on for so long, get creative, and dress up those beautiful walls of your home!
