5 Types of Wainscoting to Elevate Your Walls
Wainscoting has come a long way from its origins as a purely functional protective wall covering. Today, it's a popular design feature used to add character, texture, and architectural interest to any room - and though wainscoting is often associated with old, vintage forms of interior design, it can blend seamlessly with contemporary interior design aesthetics as well. Whether you're aiming for a cozy cottage feel or a sleek, modern look, the right wainscoting installation can instantly elevate your space. These are just five examples of wainscoting types that pair perfectly with today's most popular interior design trends.
Board and Batten: Clean, Modern, and Minimalist
Board and batten wainscoting uses wide vertical boards separated by narrower strips (battens) to create a subtle, clean, geometric pattern that complements white or neutral paint tones. Because board and batten is so minimalist and understated, it's incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a range of different aesthetics from turn-of-the-century, Victorian-inspired design to modern farmhouse interiors.
Shiplap: Perfect For The Scandi-Coastal Look
Shiplap, or rough-hewn wood planks designed to join together to create a watertight seal, continues to trend (especially down here in Florida) thanks to its relaxed, beachy feel and seamless fit in transitional homes. While traditionally installed horizontally, vertical shiplap wainscoting installation is gaining popularity in bathrooms and entryways. When painted in warm white or soft gray, it blends effortlessly with coastal, Scandinavian, or cottagecore styles. A skilled painter can help highlight the wood grain or distress the finish for added texture, or coat it with intense, darker paint for a bolder spin on the classic shiplap look.
Raised Panel: Formal Elegance That Never Ages
Raised panel wainscoting delivers timeless elegance that blends well with more traditional or formal interior design schemes. Often used in large, social gathering spaces like dining rooms or grand foyers, it features raised center panels surrounded by detailed moulding. This type of wainscoting works well with classic, deep-hued color palettes - think navy, charcoal, deep forest green, and darker shades or rich, elegant jewel tones. Combined with rich, high-gloss paint, raised panel wainscoting can make your walls feel luxurious and layered.
Flat Panel: Sleek and Versatile
Also known as recessed panel wainscoting, flat panel wainscoting could almost be described as the opposite of raised panel wainscoting: rather than having a more prominent center panel, the center panel is recessed, bringing the moulding surrounding it to the forefront. Flat panel wainscoting still looks similar enough to raised panels that it can work in traditional spaces, but with a clean, modern edge that can also blend beautifully with more modern minimalist aesthetics. This style is especially popular in spaces that feature modern furnishings, large-format art, or bold color choices. When paired with a sharp trim color or a contrasting wall hue, it makes a quiet yet impactful design statement.
Beadboard: Charming Cottagecore Chic
Beadboard features narrow, vertical planks separated by a small ridge or "bead." It's a go-to for creating a cozy, cottage-inspired look and is often installed in bathrooms, kitchens, or mudrooms. Since beadboard has a gentle, rustic look, it looks great when painted in white or creamy colors, pastels, and other light, subtle shades.
Choosing The Right Wainscoting for You
Choosing the right type of wainscoting comes down to your design goals and how you want your space to feel. There's a lot of variety when it comes to wainscoting, so no matter what type of interior design scheme your Clermont home has, you can find the right kind of wainscoting to finish it.
If you're considering moving forward with wainscoting installation in your home, we can help. As Clermont's premier painter since 2018, Root Twenty Three's interior design professionals are experts at helping clients find the right type of wainscoting to complement their homes, and our team takes the time and care to ensure that the new wainscoting is installed seamlessly. We'd love to be the ones to help you amp up your home's beauty! If you'd like to get a free estimate for our wainscoting installation service, call Root Twenty Three at 352-932-3992!