Dining rooms don’t have to be boring. If you looking to upgrade your dining room decor, wainscoting is the perfect way to go. This paneling style provides a simple upgrade to your home while adding decorative flair and timeless elegance. Whether you prefer a modern vibe, a rustic touch, or a traditional design, wainscoting offers endless choices. We’ll explore over 15 ideas to inspire your next dining room decor project.
Why Wainscoting?
There are several ways to update your dining room – from purchasing new furniture to simply painting the walls. But what if you want a little more? Think of wainscoting as a way to add depth, texture, and character to a room without overhauling the space. From beadboard to batten wainscoting, there’s something for every design preference.
1. Classic White
A dining room featuring white wainscoting exudes elegance. Pair it with gray walls for a subtle contrast, or embrace an all-white theme for a more contemporary look. White paint also enhances natural light which naturally brightens the space for guests. This look works well with white curtains and soft, neutral rugs.
2. Traditional Wainscoting with Molding
Opt for traditional wainscot paneling featuring intricate molding details to bring a touch of the 18th century into your home. Consider pairing it with a large buffet table similar to the photo below. To complete the look add vintage light fixtures or other antique-inspired accents.
3. Try Beadboard
Install beadboard wainscoting for a cozier vibe. The vertical grooves give the room texture and charm, creating an inviting warmth that makes it an excellent choice for dining rooms. Add soft, neutral paint colors or a vibrant pop of color for a playful touch. Use natural wood furniture to enhance the rustic appeal.
4. Modern Flat Paneling
Go sleek and minimalist with flat paneling wainscoting. This style is great for modern dining rooms since it uses clean lines and a smooth surface, perfect for pairing with bold geometric patterns or vibrant wallpaper. Add contemporary art pieces for extra flair.
5. Batten Wainscoting for Geometric Interest
If you love the look of rectangles and grid-like designs, batten wainscoting might be your favorite choice. This style uses vertical and horizontal strips to create geometric patterns, drawing attention to the walls of your dining area and creating a natural focal point. This option lets you experiment with unique shapes for a unique feel.
6. Rustic Wood Paneling
Warm up your dining room with wood paneling. The natural grain and texture of the wood add a rustic touch that feels inviting and cozy. Consider pairing it with soft curtains and decor featuring earthy tones to complete the look.
7. Wallpaper and Wainscoting Combo
Wainscoting might seem like a simple upgrade but when you add bold wallpaper, it does even more. Choose patterns that reflect your personality, such as florals, geometric designs, or metallic prints, to create a show-stopping wall. Complement the wallpaper with subtle hues in your furniture to maintain balance.
8. Gray and White
A gray wall with white wainscoting offers a beautiful balance between modern and traditional. This muted color scheme works well with a wide range of furniture and decorative styles, creating a great base to build upon. To tie everything together try to match the trim and molding to the color of your furniture.
9. Grand Entrance: Full Wall Wainscoting
Why stop at the lower half of the wall? Covering the entire wall with wainscoting can give your dining room a dramatic, luxurious look. Use rich hues like navy blue or forest green paired with metallic accents and statement lighting for an extra touch of grandeur.
10. Picture Frame Molding
Picture frame molding is a beautiful and simple approach to wainscoting. This style focuses on molding frames out of rectangular shapes on the wall, offering a subtle yet effective way to add depth and sophistication to your dining room.
11. Elegant White Theme with Texture
Consider an all-white theme using white wainscoting as the foundation. This monochromatic color scheme gives the dining room a polished, classic feel. Add modern lighting fixtures to keep the room feeling fresh and contemporary.
12. Get Playful Color
Who says wainscoting has to be neutral? A pop of color like emerald green, sunny yellow, or vibrant teal can breathe life into your dining area. Be sure to feature your paint color in other elements, like trims or decor accents, for a cohesive design. Bold chairs and textured rugs can also help reinforce the theme.
13. Decorative Wall Accents
Mix traditional white wainscoting with patterned accents, like leaves or tile, to add an unexpected twist to your dining room walls. Not only can this combination enhance the visual appeal of the space, it can also serve as a great conversation starter! Experiment with contrasting textures to add even more depth.
14. Take it to Entryways and Hallways
Wainscoting isn’t just for dining rooms. Extend the design to your entryway or hallway leading into your dining room for a seamless transition between spaces. You can even match the style and paint color to your dining room throughout your home. This is also a great way to elevate the look of smaller spaces.
15. Add Depth with Texture
Use plywood or reclaimed wood to add depth to your dining room. Pair it with modern furniture and industrial accents for a modern twist. You can also use this style to create an accent wall for added visual interest.
16. Geometric Patterns for a Modern Look
As mentioned earlier, wainscoting can cover your entire wall and create an accent wall. If you’re a fan of contemporary design, explore geometric patterns with your wainscoting. Angular designs and unique layouts can add a dynamic, eye-catching element to your dining room.
17. Accentuate with Accessories
Complete your dining room design by choosing curtains and decorative accents that complement your wainscoting. For instance, patterned curtains pair beautifully with white wainscoting, while bold drapes add drama to darker wall panels.
Adding wainscoting to your dining room is a simple yet impactful way to elevate the space. Whether you like a cozy cottage feel or a modern aesthetic, these ideas provide endless inspiration. Don’t be afraid to mix and match or experiment with color schemes to make it your own.
Now that you’ve checked out these dining room wainscoting ideas, which one will you try?
Looking for more wainscoting inspo?
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