Yes, wainscoting is very much in style. Moving away from stark minimalism, designers have heavily embraced custom architectural details, texture, and bespoke charm.
Wainscoting generally makes a room look taller and more expansive, provided it is styled correctly. By breaking up the vertical height of the walls and drawing the eye across the space, it tricks the brain into perceiving the area as larger and airier.
Yes, wainscoting is very much in style. In 2026, the trend has shifted away from purely traditional, formal applications. Modern design focuses on updating classic wall paneling with clean lines, rich moody paint colors (like biophilic greens and chocolate browns), and tone-on-tone textures to add depth to living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
Wainscoting doesn't have a single "correct" color, but the best choice depends on your space. For a classic, bright look, match it to your trim using a crisp white or off-white. To create a dramatic, modern style, try a bold, dark color or paint both the walls and wainscoting the same color ("drenching").
Wainscoting is not outdated; it is a timeless architectural feature that remains highly stylish in modern interior design. While its traditional purpose was for wall insulation and protection, today it is used to add architectural character, texture, and a touch of elegance to any room.
Matching Furniture Sets
A room built entirely from a matching furniture set might feel safe, but it leaves no room for character. “[It's] one of the fastest ways to make a living room [look] tacky," says Guillaume Drew, home décor expert at Or & Zon.
Traditionally, wainscoting is installed on the bottom third of the wall. This helps to make the room look balanced and well-proportioned. For example, if your wall is 96 inches tall, the wainscoting, including the moulding and baseboards, should be around 32 inches high.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
We'd recommend a satin or semi gloss finish. The higher sheen will make the wainscoting easier to clean and will also give it more of a professional, high-end look. Additionally, the higher sheen will help to reflect light and make the wainscoting really stand out.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
As we look toward 2026, one thing becomes clear: interior design is shifting toward spaces that feel meaningful, rooted, and deeply connected to the way we live. These trends highlight a collective desire for warmth, craftsmanship, and authenticity.
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
One of the most prominent colours stepping in to replace grey is beige. This versatile shade is celebrated for its ability to brighten spaces while evoking a sense of calm and timelessness. Unlike grey, beige offers a warmer, more organic feel, making it a perfect backdrop for a variety of design elements.
Chipped tiles, stained grout, and brightly colored porcelain tubs and toilets (think avocado green, mustard yellow, or bubblegum pink) instantly make a bathroom look neglected. No matter how clean the rest of the space is, damaged surfaces or retro fixtures give off a dated vibe.
Common in older homes, traditional wainscoting typically consists of white or off-white painted paneling on the lower walls paired with a different color on the upper walls.
Painted, single-color accent walls are broadly considered outdated, as designers now favor painting the entire room to create a deliberate and immersive atmosphere. However, modern alternatives like textural feature walls, intricate wallpapers, and wood paneling remain highly stylish if they add intentional depth rather than just a pop of color.
Opt for classic contrast by painting the wainscoting white or off-white, and the wall a different color, or vice versa. Get more creative by going for a monochromatic look: Consider a lighter shade of one hue on the wall and a darker shade of that same hue on the wainscoting.
Red is widely considered the hardest color to paint over. Its strong, highly saturated pigments frequently bleed through subsequent layers of lighter paint.
Acrylic paint
First of all, all acrylic paints should be discarded. They are easy to apply, cover well, are diluted in water and are durable. These are the ones that are generally chosen for rooms and spaces where there is no contact with moisture, but they are not suitable for bathrooms.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Colors that do not combine
Blue and green are the most effective colors for calming anxiety. Soft, muted hues like light blue, mint green, and lavender naturally soothe the mind, while their grounding connection to nature helps lower both heart rate and blood pressure.
❌ Wainscoting Height Mistakes to Avoid
For the most durable and professional-looking wainscoting, use a combination of both construction adhesive and nails. The glue creates a permanent, gap-free bond, while the nails hold the wainscoting in place instantly while the adhesive cures.