These Wainscoted Rooms Are Proof That Paneling Is Cool
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Something’s missing, but you can’t put your finger on it. The room is furnished, the curtains are up, the rug is laid out, and you’ve brought in all your prized decor items for a lived-in look. Why does it still feel like it’s lacking in character? You needn’t go too far off the wall for the final touch: wainscoting.
Wainscot paneling—a paneled lining of an interior wall—was pioneered by British builders in 18th-century England who began adding Danish wainscot oak wood paneling to the bottom half of a room as a way to protect walls and provide additional insulation. This trend has withstood the test of time, evolving into a range of decorative possibilities that adds architectural charm without initiating a full-on gut renovation.
Wainscoting comes in a variety of options that vary in height and size. It can sit as flat wood panels, creating more squarelike impressions; it can be thin and raised, looking more like classic molding; or it can run vertically across the entire wall in long, continuous grooves. It can also run midway across the wall at the traditional chair-rail height or all the way to the ceiling.
Not sure where to start? Take cues from its original iterations by adding traditional wood panels that can be paired with antiques and rush floor mats like David Netto’s reimagining of this country house in New York. Or buck tradition with whimsical wainscoting that sings with contemporary complements, like Ernest de la Torre’s vibrant New York home.
Whether you favor a streamlined approach, the royal treatment, or something that calls to mind the storied charm of Colonial buildings—and whatever size, weight, height, and color you go for—wainscoting is sure to anchor a room, provide architectural charm, and create visual interest. Read on for 32 wainscoting ideas that will be the only walls you’ll want to put up.
Traditional with a Twist
Traditional paneling doesn’t overpower this 18th-century triplex on the Left Bank in Paris. Elle Decor A-List studio Retrouvius coated walls above it in a calm gray color, allowing white to highlight the architectural symmetry of the paneling. It’s the perfect backdrop for quirky vintage-leaning furniture. The cocktail tables are by Roger Lemaire, the vintage fireplace is Swedish, and the Stilnovo chandeliers are from the 1980s.
Old Faithful Paneling
In the dining area of this summer home on Long Island, designer Melissa Lee opted for soothing, moody tones sure to calm the spirit, which of course is what you want at the beach. The pale green wainscoting recalls sea mist and balances out the darker antique Thonet dining chairs surrounding an extendable No 3 table from Sibast.
Pretty Pink Panels
Designer Anne McDonald brought some Nordic notes into the primary bedroom of this Minnesota home. In the cold temperatures of the north, wainscoting would be necessary for warmth, but in this stateside home wainscoting serves a more visual purpose. Doused in blush pink, it lightens and extends the space surrounding a busy floral print headboard and mixes easily with natural wood and wicker tones in the bedside lamp and nightstand.
Contrasting Wainscoting
Designer David Netto’s dreamy iteration of a country house in Millbrook, New York, leans heavily on the American Colonial vernacular. What makes the home’s library feel modern and inviting in equal measure is the unexpected deep plum walls above the white wainscoting. The delectable contrast is set off with a simple white sofa, John Derian ottoman, and a classic jute rug from Stark.
Grand Tour Tudor Walls
Studio Peregalli is known for the drama of its inventions. In a London home steeped in history, the studio cooked up the perfect breakfast room that is equal parts opulent and welcoming. The soft white wainscoting here has almost Tudor proportions and pairs perfectly with the 18th-century painted wallpaper covering the ceiling and walls. Adding to the grand tour vibes is a 19th-century Moroccan lantern, a small table covered with a Persian textile, and 19th-century English chairs.
Classically Inclined Wainscoting
Young designer Augusta Hoffman is one of the few who can pull off a very balanced version of modern minimalism. In the Manhattan loft she shares with her husband, she used the super low wainscoting as the architectural basis for this quietly grand corner of their living room. The same crisp white covers both the wainscoting and the wall, letting a sleek Steinway & Sons piano shine in the living room. A looming Jacques Adnet floor lamp completes the scene.
Updated Country Panels
Elsewhere in Augusta Hoffman’s apartment, wainscoting serves as something of a frame for a more involved wallcovering. In the dining room, deep forest-green wainscoting balances the romantic hand-painted mural above by James Mobley. Bringing the room into the modern age is the custom travertine table. The chic vintage chairs are by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, and the sculptural sconces are from Pinch.
Simplicity Is Key
When it comes to wainscoting, simplicity doesn’t have to be boring. In this Northern California home, the subtle shiplap paneling pairs nicely with the whimsical Pierre Frey wallpaper.
Modern Marvel
Whoever thinks wainscoting is strictly reserved for traditional decor has never seen this Japanese-style home in Hunter, New York. When paired with sleek furniture and silhouettes, the pine wainscoting in this room looks refreshingly modern.
A Formal Flair
As this Grey Gardens–inspired East Hamptons home proves, wainscoting can add an air of sophistication to an otherwise quirky space. The gray detailing deftly juxtaposes the Cole & Son’s wallcovering and mirror by Made Goods.
Monochromatic Magic
Never underestimate the power of a painted wall. In the House of ELLE Decor, the tonal combination feels elegant yet understated. The wall is painted in Pigeon, the wainscoting in Blue Gray, both courtesy of Farrow & Ball.
Beautiful Beadboard
If you want to give your wainscoted walls a stylish edge, consider adding beadboard. Defined as a series of narrow wooden planks, beadboard is an effective way to add visual interest to your wainscoting. In this Georgian guest bathroom, the beadboard detailing is coated in Farrow & Ball's Cornforth White.
Fashionable Functionality
While an interior’s wainscoting deserves to be celebrated, it doesn’t have to dictate the rest of the room. By propping up a framed painting, installing a towel rack, and adding a strategically placed chair, this Connecticut home blurs the line between form and function.
Dimensional Design
This Lake Tahoe retreat takes wainscoting to the next dimension, thanks to its recessed beadboard and pronounced ledge.
Historic Roots
Pay homage to the element's historical roots by pairing your wainscoted walls with classic features such as a grand staircase, ornate mirror, and white-washed bust. Let this storied Harlem brownstone show you how it's done.
Old Meets New
Want to revitalize traditional wainscoting? Take a cue from this 18th century Parisian apartment and douse the walls in a vibrant shade of red.
Wow with Wallpaper
Embrace your bold eye for design by pairing lively wallpaper with a colorful, wainscoted base. The combination in this Elizabeth Roberts–designed condo gives the dining room a rich and welcoming atmosphere.
All The Way
Design rules are meant to be broken—and, yes, that includes wainscoting your walls. Wainscoting is generally defined as placing wooden panels at the bottom half of your wall, but why stop there? As this Upper West Side prewar apartment proves, the sky (or ceiling) is the limit.
Create Contrast
What’s black, white, and chic all over? This powder room in Ernest de la Torre's upstate New York home. The black wainscoting, which is painted in Benjamin Moore's Midnight, picks up the black accents and whimsical illustrations on the Shantell Martin mural.
In The Heights
Flushed in Benjamin Moore's White Dove, the tall wainscoting gives this Oakland home's foyer a dash of drama. Plus, the artwork, pendant light, and brown accent paint create the illusion of a high ceiling.
Au Naturale
For a wainscoting idea that strikes a balance between subtle and statement, take a cue from this Brigette Romanek-designed home. While the dove gray walls contrast nicely against the white wainscoting, the combination doesn't take too much attention away from the room's artwork and dining set.
Country Charm
Painted in Farrow & Ball's Dimpse, the full beadboard wall in Amanda Seyfried's Catskills home is equal parts rustic and relaxing.
New England Estate
With carved consoles by Thom Filicia, Jonathan Burden's mirrors, and wainscoting to boot, this foyer gives a family home in Connecticut a stately sensibility.
Add Some Breathing Room
If your personal style leans to the maximal end of the spectrum, a wainscoted wall is a clever way to break up contrasting patterns. In this bold breakfast nook, the beadboard wall adds some breathing room between the striped wallpaper and painted floor.
Defy Gravity
Bring your wainscoting idea to new heights, literally, as seen in this Portola Valley home. In this home office, the full beadboard wall creates a designated desk area. The airy roller shades, woven desk chair, and braided hemp rug from Rose Tarlow give this traditional design element a California cool edge.
Wonderful Wood
Finished in a dark wood stain, the traditional wainscoting in this Chicago-based powder room adds some decorum to the lively, hand-painted wallpaper.
Add An Accent
Trade in the ubiquitous pop of color for a wainscoted accent wall, as seen in this upstate New York space. Coated in a layer of black paint, this accent wall simultaneously makes a statement and pairs well with the room's color palette.
Tonal Treatment
In this San Francisco home, decorator Palmer Weiss reimagined this wainscoted dining room in a palette of earthy, monochromatic tones. John Rosselli chairs and photographs by Vincent Fournier round out the space, striking a balance between traditional and terrestrial.
Color Blocked Brilliance
Use your wainscoting to offset a bright wall color, as seen in this Hamptons home. The crisp white accents keeps this nautical space grounded and serene.
Double Duty
Why settle for one wainscoting style when you can enjoy two? The juxtaposition between the beveled and beadboard details add some nuance to this sunny Hamptons home.
Grand Entrance
Paired with a leopard runner and a metallic wallcovering, Too Faced founders Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson's wainscoted foyer feels warm and welcoming without compromising an ounce of glamour.
Be Bold
Turn your wainscoted walls into the room's wow factor by dialing up the drama. In this Los Angeles house tour, the full-wall wainscoting and Benjamin Moore's Juniper Green hue pop nicely against the black ceiling and dining set.
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