22 Wainscoting Ideas That Add Charm and Visual Interest to Every Room

Take note from ATX Interior Design and experiment with color drenching, which involving painting everything — wainscoting, walls and trim — the same hue. Here, a moody navy blue creates a cozy feel.

Photo by: Madeline Harper

Take an unexpected approach by building your own wainscoting with shapes. Blogger Brittany suggests painting the squares and circles before applying them to the wall.

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With patterned black wallpaper up top and crisp white wainscoting down below, this traditional dining room is full of contrast. A statement black-and-white chandelier completes the look.

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Apply floral wallpaper above white wainscoting for a cheerful aesthetic. Take note from Jefferson Street Design and paint trim, moldings and the ceiling the same shade as the wainscoting.

Photo by: Angela Newton Roy

Add charm to a simple staircase by applying picture frame wainscoting, which might require some measuring and math, but is well worth the effort.

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In most cases, it’s recommended that wainscoting runs up one-third of the wall. In this moody bedroom, blue wainscoting is paired with a dark botanical wallpaper.

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The rule of thirds is only a suggestion — you can take wainscoting up the majority of the wall if you’d rather. Here, designer Meredith Owen pairs gray-blue wainscoting with off-white upper walls — the final look is sophisticated two-tone walls.

Photo by: Molly Culver

Pack style into a small powder room by painting panels a rich hue, like Purple Basil, Glidden’s 2025 color of the year. A patterned wallpaper above turns it into a striking jewel box.

Add interest to the entryway with classic beadboard. Take inspiration from Daley Home and paint it a warm gray and decorate the space with wicker furniture and gold accents.

Photo by: Madeline Harper

Top your DIY wainscoting with a strip of wood that’s been stained dark walnut. It adds warmth to the space and doubles as a shelf — ideal for leaning books and artwork in this cozy nursery.

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From the checkerboard rug and upholstered dining chairs to the geometric wallpaper and picture frame wainscoting, this dining room is loaded with shapes and patterns. Interior designer Liz Goldberg paints molding, trim and wainscoting a glossy blue for added charm.

Photo by: Abigail Jackson

Settle on a nature-inspired color palette — think shades of green and creamy beige. A leafy wallpaper ties the “greige” wainscoting to the plush green sofa.

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Pastel blue walls and trim, paired with a white-and-gold patterned wallpaper, bring charm into this traditional dining room.

Photo by: Raquel Langworthy