Wall Wainscoting: Style and Protection for Your Walls

Wainscoting — the decorative treatment that covers the lower part of a wall — is making a strong comeback in contemporary interiors. Both protective and decorative, it lifts any room.

What Is Wainscoting?

Wainscoting is a decorative covering fitted to the lower section of a wall, usually up to a third or half of the wall height. It can be made in a wide range of materials and styles.

Why Fit Wainscoting?

• Protection: shields the walls from knocks, scuffs and dirt
• Good looks: adds character and depth
• Optical illusion: can change how the proportions of a room are perceived
• Easy upkeep: easier to clean than paint alone

Types of Wainscoting

Moulded Wainscoting

Built up from dado rails, panel mouldings and skirting boards. A classic, elegant look that is hugely popular in Haussmann-style apartments.

Timber Panelling

Carved or plain wooden panels. Brings warmth and a sense of quality to the room.

Relief Wainscoting

3D panels or geometric patterns. A contemporary, design-led look.

Painted Wainscoting

A simple dividing line drawn in paint, with a different colour on the lower part of the wall. An affordable, modern solution.

Choosing the Right Height

• Lower third (80-100 cm): classic and balanced
• Half height (120-150 cm): a stronger visual impact
• Two thirds (180-200 cm): a dramatic effect, to be used with care

Fitting Moulded Wainscoting

What you need

• Dado rail for the top of the wainscoting
• Mouldings or panels
• Matching skirting board
• Mounting adhesive
• Spirit level and tape measure

Steps

1. Mark out the line of the top dado rail
2. Fit the rail, starting at the corners
3. Install the panels or mouldings inside the field
4. Finish with the skirting board along the bottom
5. Fill the joints and paint

Colour Combinations

• Tone on tone: wainscoting and upper wall in the same shade but at different intensities
• Contrast: dark wainscoting, light upper wall (or the other way round)
• Classic: white wainscoting, coloured wall