Wainscoting tin transform a dull infinite into a piece of employment of art. It tin involve raised panels, recessed apartment panels as well as bead board combined alongside diverse types of track as well as molding. These add together interest, agency and, higher upwards all, a focal signal to most whatever room. Below are only to a greater extent than or less of the ways you lot tin utilization it to practise architectural particular inwards your home.
The history (and pronunciation) of wainscoting
Wainscoting brings out this home’s natural beauty. Image: Jorge Salcedo/Shutterstock
“Wainscoting was originally used to beef upwards structure inwards moisture areas of homes as well as businesses,” according to Justin Riordan, founder of Portland-based Spade as well as Archer Design Agency. He says it was most oftentimes used inwards areas similar kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms as well as retainer corridors. “With the conception of dark-green ‘hardy’ board – which is a water-resistant type of gypsum board, wainscot is purely decorative at this point.”
If you lot project design to utilization it, Riodan every bit good believes you lot should know how to correctly pronounce the word. “It’s pronounced ‘Wayne’s cot-ing’ non ‘Wayne’s coat-ing,’ he explains.
Materials as well as types
Wainscoting adds texture as well as interest. Image: Sisoje/Getty Images
While previously made of wood, Riordan says it is directly available inwards most whatever type of material, ranging from tile to wallpaper. “There are many dissimilar types of wainscot — the to the lowest degree expensive as well as to a greater extent than pervasive would endure beadboard,” he says. “It’s non my outset choice, but when a room requires a tough complete as well as a depression cost, beadboard tin for sure brand sense.” Raised as well as recessed panels are typically the most pop styles of wainscoting.
Painted white, wainscoting provides a laid upwards clean contrast. Image: ExperienceInteriors/Getty Images
It appears that to a greater extent than or less people accept a liberal Definition of wainscoting (myself included). “Wainscoting is oftentimes transitioned at the top alongside a chair track as well as alongside a base of operations board at the bottom,” Riordan says. “When applied correctly, wainscoting should run from the baseboard to the chair rail as well as it should non endure whatever higher than 32 inches.” Riodan explains that if it’s higher than that, it’s paneling, non wainscoting.
Wainscoting is a proficient alternative for bathrooms as well as laundry rooms. Image: projects3d/Getty Image
Brian Moloney, possessor of The Finishing Company inwards Richmond, VA, says he normally installs shadow box wainscoting, bead board wainscoting as well as board as well as batten wainscoting. Shadow box, though, is the most pop amid his customers. “The shadow wainscoting consists of either a one- or two-piece chair railing alongside a ‘base cap’ or panel molding.” Moloney says all of the moldings tin endure purchased at a local large box store or millwork shop.
Wainscoting ideas
Foyer
Use wainscoting to practise a dramatic entrance. Image: alabn/Getty Images
You tin install wainscoting inwards whatever room. However, Moloney says his customers tend to similar it inwards the foyer. “Homeowners similar to brand an impression at the primary entrance to their home, peculiarly along the staircase,” he says. Also, piece many people don’t intend they take away a formal living room, wainscoting tin practise a sophisticated as well as elegant formal entertaining area.
Dining room
Wainscoting tin assistance to practise an elegant dining room. Image: akurtz/Getty Images.
Dining rooms are to a greater extent than or less other pop identify to install wainscoting. “Some homeowners select to buy the farm on the wainscoting to the ceiling alongside crown molding for a to a greater extent than formal look,” Moloney explains. “From a functional aspect, the chair railing/wainscot forms a physical barrier betwixt the wall as well as furniture.” Also, when used inwards breakfast nooks, he says it helps to define the space.
Kitchen
Wainscoting plant inwards many describe of piece of employment solid styles. Image: hikesterson/Getty Images
Wainscoting is every bit good pop inwards kitchens. George Markoutsas, Executive Vice President at The ABL Group inwards Highland Park, IL, says his fellowship uses it inwards a disclose of ways. “Traditionally, wainscoting has been used alongside beadboard as well as chair rail, but it extends far beyond that stylistically as well as tin endure used inwards a diversity of settings.” Markoutsas says it plant inwards styles ranging from craftsman to contemporary. “There actually is no boundary to how wainscoting tin endure used, as well as it really elevates the infinite that it’s used inwards to a novel level,” he adds.
Bedroom
Create a headboard as well as focal wall inwards the bedroom. Image: ArchiViz/Getty Images
Used inwards the bedroom, wainscoting every bit good creates a laid upwards clean as well as elegant look, peculiarly when used every bit a headboard. “We accept used wainscoting every bit an accent wall inwards a bedroom, eliminating the take away for a headboard,” Markoutsas says.You tin every bit good utilization it to practise separation as well as frame artwork.
Bathroom
Beadboard is a pop bath choice. Image: phillipspears/Getty Images
Bathrooms accept long been a favorite identify for installing wainscoting. “With the popularity of shiplap growing exponentially, nosotros accept been replacing traditional beadboard applications inwards wainscoting to shiplap, giving the infinite a unique hold off non traditionally seen,” Markoutsas says.
Living room/family room
Wainscoting every bit good plant good inwards large rooms. Image: hikesterson/Getty Images
“Height is to a greater extent than or less other aspect of wainscoting that nosotros accept seen tweaked alongside our installations,” Markoutsas says. “It is non uncommon to run across it existence used on ¾ of the wall, peculiarly inwards spaces that accept 9’ addition ceiling heights.” He says this elevates the infinite as well as livens upwards bare walls that are otherwise dull as well as boring.
If you lot accept large rooms as well as spaces, wainscoting tin every bit good brand them to a greater extent than intimate inwards appearance. “It tin assistance scale downwardly a large room, as well as visually lower the ceiling inwards a really tall room,” according to Josie Abate at Ambience Design Group. “Besides the beauty it adds, wainscoting tin assistance protect your walls from markings, as well as every bit good encompass upwards existing impairment to a wall,” Abate says.
What are your thoughts on wainscoting? Would you lot include it inwards your home? Let us know inwards the comments.