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What is Wainscoting: The Unsung Design Detail that Totally Makes a Room
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Maybe you’ve got a room that feels like it’s lacking character, no matter how many times you’ve changed up your decor. Perhaps it’s time for something a bit more dramatic. If you love the storied charm of old buildings, wainscoting (pronounced (WAIN-SCOT-ING) is a great way to add value and style to your home. Here, we’ll answer all your questions about wainscoting and how you can use it in your space, with some of our favorite examples.
Wainscoting is paneling (most often wood, though that’s changing quickly!) that’s added to walls to add a bit of depth and visual interest. The rules of wainscoting of the past were pretty standard: it was about one-third the height of a wall, made of wood, and painted white. While that look certainly endures today, we’re starting to see cool new trends like different geometric shapes incorporated into the wainscoting, along with dark, dramatic colors that pop against painted white walls (instead of the opposite) and even very tall wainscoting that doesn’t follow the one-third rule.
Our Favorite Wainscoting Ideas
If you love this look as much as we do and want to achieve something similar in your own home, whether you’ll DIY or have it professionally installed, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling for nine looks you’ll love.
1. Geometrically gorgeous
The wainscoting shown here definitely bucks tradition with its clever use of columns made of alternating triangles and circles. Painted a bright, peppy teal color set against a tangerine background, this wainscoting definitely stands out and gives this room tons of visual appeal.
This homeowner chose black wainscoting set against a light gray wall for a look that’s both moody and beautiful. Dark gray hanging lanterns above the table coordinate with the wainscoting for a room that looks modern and sophisticated.
3. Ceiling-height paneling
Painted in a deep navy hue, this floor to ceiling wainscoting by @jennyatfullcirclehomes is certainly different. What is wainscoting if not dramatic, right? Here, the owner has used it to surround a historic brick fireplace for a dramatic, elegant vibe.
Rachel @mr.yoderswife opted for soothing neutrals for her kitchen revamp. She incorporated wainscoting in a slightly darker color than the wall, but both are in the same color family for a continuous look. She added a chair rail to the top of the wainscoting to pull the whole thing together.
One thing to consider when adding a wainscot, besides the height, is how it relates to other objects in the room. In this bathroom on My Domaine, the wainscot skirts the window, but terminates directly under the medicine cabinet, for a neat look. (The ledge at the top is a convenient spot for toiletries, particularly in a bathroom with not much space around the sink.)
This wainscot spotted on Houzz has a geometric pattern that’s very different from the paneling you typically see. This would be perfect in a hallway, entryway, or any room that needs a little extra pizzazz.
Adding a chair rail and then painting the space underneath in a contrasting color can create the effect of a wainscot without the heavy lifting of paneling the wall. The black wainscot in this hallway from Seventeen Doors corresponds nicely with the black door beyond.
Just because wainscots are typically made from wood paneling doesn’t meant they have to be made from wood paneling. In this gorgeous dining room seen on Dwell, colorful tile makes for an elegant and unusual wainscot.
This beautiful historic home in Amsterdam, spotted on The D Pages, has a wainscot made of marble. If that’s not luxurious, we don’t know what is.
Thinking of trying the look at home? If you’re DIYing, Craving Some Creativity has an excellent tutorial for using trim to create the look of paneling — without the bother of installing actual panels.
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4 Things Real Estate Agents Always Say About Colonial Homes
Colonial homes are total show-stoppers. They have a stark sense of symmetry that sets them apart from other housing styles, such as Tudors and ranches. They also have a long and rich history, with early Colonial homes dating back to the 1600s.
If you can appreciate the formidable presence of Colonial-style homes, you’re in good company: Colonial homes are one of the most popular and common housing styles in the U.S., and the fact that they are as prevalent as they are today speaks to the enduring likability of the style.
To find out more about Colonials, I asked three real estate experts about the highlights and drawbacks of the housing style. Here’s what they had to say.
They’re packed with curb appeal.
Allison Ciarcia, a Realtor with The One Team at William Raveis Real Estate, describes the Colonial-style home as beautiful and traditional, with strong European characteristics such as steep, side-gabled roofs and multi-paned windows.
“Colonial-style homes are usually two or three stories high with an elaborate front entrance. They are generally symmetrical with the front door in the center of the home and an even number of windows on either side,” says Ciarcia. “If you are looking for curb appeal, this is the home for you.”
The interior might need some updating.
Geoffrey Hanan, a sales partner with PRIME Real Estate Group, was surrounded by Colonial homes growing up in Maine. “A huge desire for many buyers is the original finishings and features,” he says. “It can be a bit of a double-edged sword because you’re investing in something that’s going to require a little more fostering, but the quality and craftsmanship makes the juice worth the squeeze.”
Even if you’re purchasing a Colonial home with the intent of keeping the original features intact, Hanan suggests budgeting for some practical upgrades, such as converting an oil-fueled heating system to natural gas.
They lack accessibility and tend to have closed floor plans.
The multi-story nature of the Colonial can pose challenges to the elderly or those with mobility impairments. “They will find this to be a disadvantage as the bedrooms are usually all on the second and third floors,” says Ciarcia.
Traditional Colonials also tend to have closed floor plans, with the kitchen, living area, and dining areas in separate rooms, which can feel too formal for some. “Many families are looking for an open floor plan these days,” says Ciarcia. “However, in some of the new, modern Colonial-style homes, the floor plans are more open.”
They are renovation-friendly — but watch out for historical designations.
“The main feature of the Colonial home that makes it stand out from other styles is its geometric design,” says Ciarcia. “Colonial-style homes are square or rectangle in shape, and this allows for easy modifications with additions and renovations.”
That said, there are some circumstances where renovating a Colonial home is simply not an option. “If you are purchasing a Colonial from years gone by, double check if the home is in a historical zone,” says Stephanie Saunders, a Realtor with the Key Team at Leading Edge Real Estate. “This may impact interior and exterior changes you wish to make during your time as a homeowner.”