Beautiful Details: Wainscoting and Paneled Walls

Paneled Walls Add Substance and Style to Both Modern and Traditional Homes

January 15, 2011
Designer, writer, renovator
Comment19
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Add wainscoting or paneled walls to a home and instantly it has more substance and stylish character. If I could, I would line many a wall in my home with wainscoting and panel a room or two. While this interior detail is rooted in traditional architecture, it can also enhance a home with a more modern appeal. It just comes down to what it is paired with.
Contemporary Dining Room by Restyled Home
Restyled Home
Wainscoting lining the walls of this nook add to its fresh charm, while an oversized fixture clearly announces this is a modern space.
Transitional Entry by Blue Tangerine Art
Blue Tangerine Art
The paneling running up to the ceiling in this entry is very traditional, but ebony floors and a pair of abstract prints with a brilliant pop of yellow stop the space from being formal.

Tip: Adding a bright color into a neutral environment can add tremendous style.
Traditional Entry by Grainda Builders, Inc.
Grainda Builders, Inc.
Paneling in this entry stops before it reaches the ceiling, almost reading as an exaggerated wainscoting. Pale lilac walls and a touch of turquoise enhance this room beautifully.
Traditional Bedroom by Chris Kauffman
Chris Kauffman
While I am a fan of all wainscoting, my preference is for styles that end above the midpoint of a wall.

Tip: When installing wainscoting avoid having the top edge end at the midpoint of the wall, which would result in a static look.
Traditional Living Room Traditional Living Room
Here every surface is covered with either wainscoting or paneling. Placing black furniture and accents against the expanse of white results in a sophisticated environment with a modern attitude.
Traditional Entry by Mandy Brown Architects, PC
Mandy Brown Architects, PC
Stunning wainscoting leads the eye down a hall to the front door, with the curved shape of the door being dramatically repeated in the framed archway.
Victorian Bathroom by Schwartz and Architecture
Schwartz and Architecture
Tile wainscoting runs behind the sink and tub with simple paneling lining another wall. It is a beautiful mix.
Traditional Kitchen by User
User
Darker paint colors always pop when paired with white wainscoting.
Traditional Bathroom by Reginald L. Thomas Architect LLC.
Reginald L. Thomas Architect LLC.
Can it get any better than wainscoting mixed with a claw-foot tub? Add towels hung like sculptural works of art and it does.
Traditional Dining Room Traditional Dining Room
The simplicity of the paneled walls adds to the elegance of this dining room. I'd love a peek into the kitchen beyond!
Transitional Staircase by Cary Bernstein Architect
Cary Bernstein Architect
Paneling running up the side of a stairwell is a traditional application that always looks beautiful. Here a dark handrail and bench frame anchor the space in an artistic fashion.
Traditional Bathroom by Oakley Home Builders
Oakley Home Builders
You simply can't go wrong when deciding to install wainscoting in bathrooms. It is a timeless classic.
Contemporary Family Room by User
User
While technically this example showcases beadboard rather than wainscotting, I hadn’t seen this room before on Houzz and simply had to share it. The symmetrical furniture placement, unique light fixture and interesting architectural lines add up to a special room.
Traditional Entry by Rachel Reider Interiors
Rachel Reider Interiors
A home does not get much more classic than this. The abundance of millwork, including wainscoting, is the element most responsible for the beauty of the space.

Next: Browse more photos of wainscoting
Comment19
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Comments (19)
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Toni Sabatino
Hi firehousecat, Do you have a photo of the bath vanity? Also, if it is a tile chair rail, going all around the room, you can go up one tile from the top of the vanity and butt the chair rail into the window and door trim. You need thick trim to do this but it gives a neat sense of continuity and a place for the chair rail to start and stop at the window. If you are using wood wainscot and chair rail, 40" is generally a good height for the chair rail then the oval mirrors should not be too high or interfere with the chair rail.
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sheydan
We have painted picture frame paneling and are about to re-paint. Currently the trim is pained in white to match the base boards and other trim around the home. Do you recommend keeping the trim painted gloss white or should we paint over the white with the new paint color? BTW...the popcorn ceilings are about to go away as well.
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fulcosm
Stone tiles
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