How to Remodel a Bathroom With Wainscoting

Wainscoting adds old-world charm to a modern bathroom remodel.

Tongue-and-groove wall paneling at the height of 2 to 3 feet is known as wainscoting. Once used in bathrooms to protect against dampness, wainscoting adds old-world charm to today's bathrooms and offers an affordable way to conceal ugly tile, damp stains and wall damage. Before remodeling your bathroom with wainscoting, decide whether you wish to use traditional wood wainscoting, or modern beadboard made of medium or high-density fiberboard.

Things You'll Need

• Wainscoting
• Chair rail molding
• Baseboard
• Beadboard
• Nail gun and nails
• Plywood
• Drill
• Screws
• Miter saw
• Laser guide
• Paint or stain

Instructions

1. Shut off the water supply to your sink and toilet, and move them away from the wall. Remove vanities, cabinets, towel racks and outlet covers.

2. Measure the width of your walls to determine the amount of wainscoting or beadboard required for your bathroom remodel.

3. Cut plywood to the height of any tile you wish to cover with wainscoting. Drill through the grout and attach the plywood to the wall using screws. If installing the wainscoting directly over the wall, no plywood is necessary.

4. Draw a horizontal line on the wall at 36 to 48 inches above the baseboard. Use a laser guide to keep the line straight.

5. Cut the wainscoting or beadboard to the height drawn on the wall. Carefully remove the existing baseboard and set aside.

6. Rest the first piece of wainscoting or beadboard in a bathroom corner, keeping it flush with the side wall and floor. Affix to the wall using the nail gun at the top and bottom. Continue around the room.

7. Overlap the wainscoting to fit corners, or miter cut 45-degree angles.

8. Affix the chair rail molding over the top of the wainscoting or beadboard using the nail gun. Affix the baseboard over the bottom.

9. Paint or stain the wainscoting or beadboard to match your bathroom decor.

References

• HGTV: "How to cover bathroom tile with wainscoting"
• Easy Bathroom Remodeling: "Bathroom Remodeling with Wainscoting"
• Nantucket Beadboard Products
• Elite Crown Molding: "Wainscoting Faqs"