Wainscoting Wall: Best Way to Decorate Your Space

Imagine walking into a room where the walls tell an impressive story. There, you will discover a tale of elegance and timeless beauty.

More than building a construction feature, people are paying close attention to the décor. There are numerous ways available to elevate your space, but wainscoting has been a popular design choice for centuries. It is a kind of wall covering laid over the lower portion of a wall to improve the overall elegance of construction.

Its enhanced aesthetic appeal and durability make it an ideal choice for any home décor. With this blog, you’ll get to learn in detail about wainscoting, its purpose and its types.

What is Wainscoting?

Wainscoting is wood paneling applied to the interior space, especially in the entryways, dining rooms, or living rooms. Since the 18th century, it has been an easier method to protect uneven walls and insulate rooms. It becomes an indispensable part of a home interior design plan that creates visual interest in a room.

The wealthy families of New England and Europe prefer wainscoting for both aesthetic and pragmatic reasons. Other than wood, it also includes materials like plaster or MDF(Medium-Density Fiberboard) for striking results.

Different Types of Wainscoting

In order to meet the decor expectations of individuals, wainscoting is classified into different types and listed below:

Flat-panel Wainscoting

Flat-panel wainscoting is extremely versatile and provides a neat and flushlook to your room. This type includes panels of plywood or MDF that are set into a frame making it look perfect for contemporary homes. You can décor it with narrow strips of wood or strips of molding to add a touch of sophistication. Flat-panel is also called a Shaker panel or board and batten.

Raised-panel Wainscoting

This most popular type of wainscoting method helps craft a traditional vibe to your space. Opt for this choice and travel back to the colonial days. The beauty is added by beveling the edges of the panel. This stylish option adds texture, depth, and visual interest to the walls, creating a peace of beauty at its peak. Beyond that all, it looks so cool in an old, formal look.

Shiplap Wainscoting

Shiplap is an appropriate choice for modern farmhouses or country-style atmospheres. This type of wainscoting is featured with wide, horizontal boards with small reveals between each section. The overlap at the edges of the boards creates a rustic charm look.

Wall-panel Wainscoting

It is a simple and cost-effective method that offers a premium appearance to your home. Wall panel wainscoting is an ideal choice for homeowners looking for minimalist and durable wall treatment. The beauty is elevated just by giving a wood end up or strips of molding to the bare wall.

Beaded-panel Wainscoting

Beaded-panel wainscoting is featured with narrow, vertical grooves with round edges. This combo creates a classic and versatile look for any room. Depending on the interior, it can be styled in numerous ways. Compared to other types, this style is easier to install.

Purpose of Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a tailored decorative choice applicable for various purposes, including:

Add Protection to the Walls: By placing wainscoting on the lower wall, it acts as extra protection from our everyday use, like chairs, tables, or other furniture bumps. It actively enhances durability and provides wear and tear resistance.

Home Décor Piece: Most home designers recommend wainscoting as a primary choice to add a dramatic look to walls. Homeowners who are likely to have a traditional, elegant appearance can go for a minimalist wainscoting style, like flat-panel wainscoting.

Provides Insulation: Historically, harsh weather conditions have been the biggest reason behind the damage to many buildings, especially in the cold climate. While adding wainscoting to the walls, it provides adequate protection against these significant temperature fluctuations. More than insulating your home, it typically reduces energy and maintenance costs.

Increase Property Value: As mentioned earlier, wainscoting provides additional protection to the walls. More than that, it is embedded with premium features that add extra value and sophistication to the home. That is why the property with wainscoting can often sell for higher prices than normal.

Factors to Consider When Designing Your Wainscoting

Once you decide that wainscoting is your ideal decorative material, then ensure these factors double the elegance.

Material: Of course, material is a primary concern as wainscoting is made from various materials like plaster, wood, and MDF. The choice of your material influences the look and feel of your wall. It elevates one-third of your home appearance and provides a good vibe.

Style: Wainscoting can be styled in different ways, from traditional to modern. Choose the one that is featured with elegant strips or boards that can influence the overall style of your home.

Colour: The right colour selection is everything. Choosing wainscoting in neutral colours like cream or white offer you a classic look, else going for a sharp and bolder colour gives you a dramatic effect.

What is the Cost of Wainscoting?

Wainscoting can décor your space without affecting your budget range. When compared with other decorative materials, this is cost-effective and proficient in transforming your entire home look. Wainscoting typically involves wood or MDF panels, and the installation costs may range around ₹135 to ₹200 per running foot (rft) for conventional wainscoting. For more elaborate designs or premium materials, the costs can increase substantially. For example, ready-made wainscoting panels from online sources can cost around ₹14,048 for a panel and molding kit.

Final Thoughts

Wainscoting is a versatile option to style your home and make it more vibrant. Whether you like to have a flushed or contemporary design, this will be your choice for any home. Ensuring that it will be a statement piece when you choose the perfect colour and style.

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