What Color to Paint Wainscoting

Determining what color to paint wainscoting requires patience, but the finished look can have a dramatic effect.

Wainscoting adds dimension to any room.

Wainscoting originated as structural reinforcement to protect a house from the dampness of the ground. The wooden horizontal panels or vertical beadwork prevented moisture from seeping up the walls, which were often nothing more than plaster and straw against wooden studs. As home construction improved, wainscoting evolved into a more decorative feature.

Types of wainscot vary primarily on the period and style of the home.

• Raised panels with chair rails are often found in American homes dating as far back to the 17th century.
• Beadboard is a popular feature in cottages and 19th-century Victorians.
• Recessed flat panels can cover three-quarters of a wall, which is very common in home designs such as the American Shaker, Arts and Crafts, and Mission.
• Full-wall flush panels emerged in the late 1940s as part of the Minimalist movement and with the onset of manufactured veneer paneling.

Wood is the most common form of wainscot, but other materials include marble, fabrics, ceramic tile, and wallpaper applications. View some wainscoting styles here.

Wainscoting is an architectural element, similar to doorframes, baseboards, and other trim. The key to selecting a finish is to make sure the eye follows the natural flow of these other features. As you decide on what color to paint wainscoting, keep in mind that more often than not, the wainscot color matches that of all the trim, whether it’s painted, stained, or natural wood.

The type of wainscot you select makes a difference in the finish as well. Each material lends itself to a special look. So, if you choose a rustic board wainscot to match your hardwood floors, you’re probably going to want to stay as close to the material aesthetic as possible.

What is the mood you want for the room? Visit LoveToKnow Interior Design to gain a better understanding of color and how you can use it to create a certain atmosphere for the area.

Contrast is an important characteristic, too. Almost any wall color will blend harmoniously with a neutral-colored wainscoting, which makes it a popular choice. Even if your walls are shock red, follow the lead of your trim. If your door and window frames are an eggshell white, that should be the color of your wainscoting. If you have wood trim, find a stain that closely resembles the existing wood. This formula takes the guesswork out of determining what color to paint wainscoting.

See some finished looks on the following sites:

• Danbury Creek
• New England Classic
• Woodstone Mouldings

If you’re installing wainscoting into a home for the first time, you can paint or stain the materials beforehand. This considerably reduces the time you’ll spend on that task. It’s better to finish moldings and trim prior to installation, too.

However, if you’re refinishing existing panels, follow these steps:

• Start from the top of the chair rail and make five to six quick brush strokes downward, moving along the rail an inch or two, followed by a long stroke along the rail and with the grain of the wood. This will minimize the chance of getting wainscot paint on the wall.
• Proceed along the rail, a section at a time, in the same manner.
• Next, follow the grain of the boards in long, sweeping strokes. Always move toward the center of the panel so that paint doesn’t collect in the grooves.
• Finally, finish off the baseboard in the opposite manner: up from the floor in quick strokes, then a long, smooth stroke along the baseboard. Use a paint shield or a piece of paper to protect the floor from drips and slips.

Generally, a semi-gloss interior paint works best for durability and easy care..

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