How to Create a Wainscoting Look

A wainscoting look can add depth to any interior.

Wainscoting adds a distinctive and traditional appearance to any room, but many homeowners will forgo installing it because of the specialized carpentry skills required. Fortunately, even amateurs can create the look of wainscoting with ease by utilizing wallpaper or paint, then trimming it with molding and baseboard.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Snap line
• Wallpaper or paint
• Paintbrush
• Trim moldings
• Miter box and handsaw
• Medium and fine grit sandpaper
• Hammer or nail gun
• 1-inch trim nails
• Stud finder
• Interior caulking
• Wood putty

Instructions

1. Measure chair backs, sofas, hall tables and any other mid-level furnishings to help determine the height of the wainscoting. Generally, it is between 30 and 36 inches from the floor to the top molding. If a chair back will scrape the wall, set the top at that height. Otherwise, wainscoting should rise several inches higher than all the mid-level furnishings.

2. Measure the finished height desired with a tape measure from the floor up. Mark the desired height lightly with pencil in several spots along each wall. Snap a chalk line across the wall from mark to mark. This line is the top molding guide.

3. Prepare the walls for the chosen application. Fill holes to ensure a smooth surface. Paint or wallpaper the area below the line. Considering using contrasting colors and textures to add depth and interest to your room.

4. Measure out, cut and paint the top rail and base moldings. Cut interior and exterior corners using a miter box and handsaw. Sand each end to a smooth finish, first with medium, then fine grit sandpaper.

5. Use a stud finder and mark stud locations discretely. Nail the moldings into the studs. Align the top molding along the snap line and nail it securely. Set the base molding and nail it as above.

6. Fill any gaps in the joints with flexible interior caulking that matches the molding color, or paint it to match after installation. Fill any holes created by nailing with wood putty. Touch up with paint after the putty is completely dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Local paint, hardware and home center stores are a goldmine of information regarding home improvement projects including wallpapering, painting and molding installation.

• Moldings can be applied over wallpaper or paint.

Resources

• Woodworking Online: Chair Rail Heights Forum