If you're ready to elevate your space, wainscoting is an easy, renovation-free way to add architectural flair. This type of wall paneling can split up the visual lines in your space, elongating the height of your room and allowing you to experiment with various colors and textures. Our guide breaks down the basics, including what wainscoting is and the main types of wainscoting that you can choose from.

What Is Wainscoting?

Wainscoting is a type of wall paneling that's installed on the lower portion of a wall, most often in dining rooms, living rooms, or entryways. It serves both decorative and practical purposes, from breaking up the visual height of a space to protecting the walls from any stains or scuffs.

Historically, wainscoting was used to protect the walls from damage, provide extra structural support to plaster walls, and signal opulence in Victorian homes. Now, wainscoting mostly adds decorative appeal with its texture and visual interest. However, it can still help protect walls from dining chair bumps or accompany delicate wallpaper.

Wainscoting is a relatively affordable way to update the look and feel of your space. It can be made from materials like wood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plastic, or PVC. You can even tackle the installation process yourself, allowing you to transform a room without breaking the bank.

Tip!

Take on this DIY project with our guide How to Install Wainscoting in 10 Steps.

Types of Wainscoting

Whether you're researching for an upcoming reno or prepping for a DIY project, it's important to familiarize yourself with the different types of wainscoting. There are four main types of wainscoting: wall panel, flat panel, beaded panel, and raised panel.

Wall Panel: The easiest of the four, wall-panel wainscoting uses thin strips of molding to create rectangular, frame-like panels that are attached directly to the bare wall.
Flat Panel: Flat-panel (or Shaker-panel) wainscoting is made of thin boards of plywood or MDF. As shown in the photo above, this type of wainscoting is often finished by adding strips of wood or molding to create vertical framing.
Beaded Panel: Beaded panel, often called beadboard, is also made up of a sheet of wood paneling but it has vertical grooves that mimic the look of individual planks of wood.
Raised Panel: The most traditionally styled of the four types of wainscoting, raised-panel wainscoting features beveled edges and decorative wood trim. Because this wainscoting type often requires custom work, it's best installed by professionals.

Tip!

Learn about the other types of wall panels with our guide: Types of Wall Panels.

Where to Install Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a budget-friendly way to upgrade any space. Here are a few stylish places where wainscoting would be a statement-making addition.

Living Room & Bedroom

Wainscoting can help create a cozy atmosphere by incorporating warmth and texture. It can also help extend visual lines, making the room feel more spacious or the ceiling appear higher than it is.

Tip!

Wainscoting also pairs perfectly with a patterned wallpaper. Not only does it create an eye-catching combination, the wainscoting can also help protect the wallpaper from any potential wear and tear from moving furniture or spills.

Dining Room

The dining room is another space where wainscoting can create plenty of visual impact. Plus, the wainscoting can help prevent any scuffs left by dining chairs moving in and out from the table.

Entryway

Wainscoting can add style and dimension to your space, which makes it ideal for your home's first impression. The wainscoting can also protect the walls from any wet items that would drip on the paint or wallpaper.

Bathroom & Kitchen

Because wainscoting can protect walls from stains or spills, it can be a handy addition to high-traffic (and sometimes damp) spaces like bathrooms or kitchens.

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