miniature modelling Here are some tips on how high should your low profile wainscot be: The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 17-20 inches above the floor. A more important factor to consider, however, is how high the ceiling in a room is. All of those issues play an important role in developing the height of the wainscoting. However, most people install it from between 32" to 48." Now heres the same answer I wrote in JLC, and Ill bet youll regret asking this question! In my opinion, I think it would look funny for the handrail to be above the wainscot, but that leads to a problem with the transition at either the top or the bottom of the stairs if you want to run that at a lower height. The ideal wainscoting height is about one-third of the wall. What type of look are you wanting to achieve? So, the moral of the story is there is not just ONE perfect height to install wainscoting, but there are several starting points from which you can adjust the height based on the specific circumstances of the room, furniture and design. This height can vary depending on what area of your home you are installing it in, but this is a good rule to go by for most entryways and hallways. The same can be said if the window sill were at 32 inches on a 9 foot ceiling. When you come across an outlet, youll need to cut notches into the panels to make room for the outlet. Is there a good rule of thumb? Typically, wainscoting works best on the lower portion of the wall, so plan to install it on the lowest one-third section. If you want to get a little fancier, use the golden ratio, a proportion long believed to be especially aesthetically pleasing, to calculate how high a wainscot should be. We chose this height because it was tall enough to cover the full height of the dresser and crib, and when we rested our heads against the wall while sitting on the sofa our heads did not hit the chair rail (which was a concern of Casey's). Orac Decor even makes a preassembled picture frame moulding, George Saumarez Smith of Adam Architecture, lovely image I took of an Adam Architecture renovation. For taller wainscoting, such as one with a plate rail, cap it two-thirds the way up the wall. Yes, a taller wainscoting is trending! Orac Decor even makes a preassembled picture frame moulding that just gets glued onto the wall. The standard wainscoting height is 1/3 the height of the ceiling. Here are some tips on how high should your low profile wainscot be: The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 17-20 inches above the floor. How to Measure Wainscoting. I hope this isnt too far off topic, but what are your thoughts on the chair rail termination behind the drop leaf table? Again, you have to get right on top of it, to notice that the center panel is recessed more deeply than the surrounding rail and stile. So depends on look you want. And also this post about how to deal with a boxy boring home. WebFlo Mangan. Now heres the same answer I wrote in JLC, and Ill bet youll regret asking this question! However, extending wainscoting this high could potentially take emphasis away from the grand size of the room. And, she did not know the term beadboard.. However, for people that will be in the same home for a long time and want to make it look as nice as possible, high wainscoting might be best. My ceilings are 10' and the finished height of my wainscot is 40". Drawing The common method is to move left to right. However, the baseboard is a whopping 11 high, and the chair rail is 3.5 high. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Now, its more decorative than functional, but it can make any room look upscale and traditional. Plus, I wanted the wainscoting to be seen over the edge of the dresser and crib which would not have been the case if we had picked 1/3. See how your overhead lighting can still make a statement, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Riverside Architects & Building Designers, West Palm Beach Architects & Building Designers, Mount Prospect Kitchen & Bathroom Designers, Rancho Santa Margarita Furniture & Accessories, Michelle Scott for Ethan Allen - Laguna Niguel, CA, The Fifth Wall: Creative Ceilings Take Rooms to New Heights, Houzz Call: Show Us Your 8-by-5-Foot Bathroom Remodel, New This Week: 5 Ways to Make a 5-by-8-Foot Bathroom Look Bigger, Room of the Day: An 8-by-5-Foot Bathroom Gains Beauty and Space, New This Week: 8 Ways to Place a TV in a Living Room. Youll need to cut panels to fit the corners. If you have 8 foot ceilings then that would be 32 inches. Installing wainscoting is possible to do yourself, although you can ensure it is aligned evenly and applied quickly with the help of a professional. Er, wood. The first thing you need to know is: There is no one height that wainscoting should be hung, because the appropriate height depends on the height of the room. 
But its a good thing to keep in mind. 
If you are replacing older trim, wainscoting may boost a homes value. If we base this on the chair back height then how high should I have this wainscot be? Therefore, closer to 6%. Consider these options for soothing to stunning effects, Look to these bathroom makeovers to learn about budgets, special features, splurges, bargains and more. Of course, we dont want to see dinky proportions in a room with a 12 ceiling, but we need to be careful with 8 feet and lower. Indoor vegetables The truth is that you can make a case for any number of wainscoting height possibilities! When trying to explain the chair rail height theory to my fellow carpenters, I alway ask a question. fourteen. In these fresh takes, you might see plate rails as the top trim and even a bold contrasting color for the very top of the wall. This is at least double what we typically see these days in new homes, whether the ceiling is 8 feet or higher. Find the right local pro on Houzz to kickstart your project. Hedge Hi My ceilings are 10 feet high. In my book of inspiration pics is one of a traditional room with high ceilings yet a very low wainscoting at about only 24"Yet it looks fab. And Some Unusual Solutions. Not sure what you want , you already have the proper height with the chair rail so use that as your guide. Home Repair Boxy Boring Bedroom? For example, if your room is 9 feet tall, then your wainscoting should come up to 3 feet. We want to see it! Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Home closet The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 20 inches above a kitchen countertop or breakfast bar. 6 Ways to Give High Ceilings a More Human Scale, There's a big, flat world to create up there, be it humble or haute, Make the most of vertical surfaces and keep big spaces feeling cozy with these ideas, High ceilings and other custom-tailored features in this new-build Wisconsin basement put the tall homeowners in a good headspace. For bathrooms or other areas where there will be lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot height to 20-23 inches above the floor. PRO Patricia Colwell Consulting 5 years ago Good idea since you only have 8 ft. ceilings anything higher will look wrong IMHO miss lindsey (She/Her) 5 years ago Your room is very cute and home-y by the way! Most waiting rooms Ive seen have wall damage from chair backs. I think high wainscoting usually gives more of a farmhouse look: Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. off the floor. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. House Exterior Design The short answer to this question is, somewhere between 26 to 32 inches. Find trusted local pros for any home project. For other countertops, such as an island or peninsula in the kitchen, keep your wainscot at least 24 inches above it. I think the one thing I took from the wainscoting video marathon is the leaving the one run short. Good advice above to be mindful of electrical placements with either choice, both outlets and light switches. Gary, But lets be quick about it. So with that in mind, I would push my dining chairs to the wall, mark where the back touches the wall, and have the chair rail at that height with wainscoting under it. If youre looking for maintenance tips, the first thing to look at is how your flooring was installed. My goodness, how many homes have I visited where the tops of doors and windows arent level and in one straight line! PRO Patricia Colwell Consulting 5 years ago Good idea since you only have 8 ft. ceilings anything higher will look wrong IMHO miss lindsey (She/Her) 5 years ago Your room is very cute and home-y by the way! Lets talk about wainscoting. Want to shake things up with a much taller wainscot? My ceilings are 10' and the finished height of my wainscot is 40". Yes, Im just another typical author listening mostly to my own words. Now, its time to glue and nail in the wainscoting panels. Wainscoting (pronounced Waynes coating) or the alternative term, wainscot had its origins around the 14th century in Holland. Apartment That looks weird. Be sure to switch off the electrical circuit in the room before touching the outlets. Please note: Your first comment will be held for moderation/review by our staff before it appears. Wainscoting is usually under a chair rail molding which is typically 32" high. It probably would have saved me from a lot of head scratching. Does the line intersect with any features in the room that will need to be considered? For people that would like to invest in something that looks great but are not planning on staying in their home for very long, low-hanging wainscoting might be the best bet. WebTo quote from a Pro Construction site: 'There really is no standard height for wainscoting. Wed love to do wainscoting but wonder if the top of the walls would look naked! Under-scale is better than over-scale. I appreciate you taking the time to respond and thank you for the kind words. Artist Designs Impossible Homes with Hyper-Realistic Features, Buying Replacement Windows? When measuring for a third of the wall, you should include the baseboards and crown molding. Home Improvement is there a formula for this? :):):). Orac Decor makes a board and batten applied wall moulding. Of course, everyone always wants the short answer, so here it is: Somewhere between 26 in. She sent me a photo of a room similar to hers. Want to shake things up with a much taller wainscot? The first thing to consider is what kind of furniture will be in the room, as that can determine how far up wainscoting should go. Kitchen For rooms with 8-foot ceilings, aim for around 32 inches. Yes! Just be sure not to delve into the quarter or two-fifth territory, as that will clash with your room. Is that ok for the scale in a 10 ft room? Different types of wood are popular for living or dining spaces, but stick to something moisture-proof like ceramic tile or plastic for bathrooms. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). 
However, I rather love these polyurethane mouldings from Orac Decor. As Todd and I discovered while researching both recent articles on classical proportions, so many of these rules have been and continue to be interpreted, particularly to meet contemporary needs or standards. My situation is unique. Not only was it decorative, but it was also a means to protect the lower half of the wall as well as provide insulation in homes. After all, they didnt exactly have central heating, and as we all know, the warm air rises. If your wainscot has been glued down and nailed in place, its important to keep your hands off the nails as much as possible. one of the steps ends in the corner and there for the elevation is in the corner. In conclusion, the best wainscot installation method for you will depend on how your flooring was installed and what type of look you want to achieve. Well, half right. There are many factors that will determine the height of a wainscot. But what does that mean? Try one that covers the bottom two-thirds of the wall. We have plans to paint the wainscoting a muted pink and leave the rest of the wall and ceiling white (, We love the vertical shiplap we are installing in the nursery for our wainscoting, so hopefully y'all do too! However, we have found that this magical number simply does not exist because every room is different with different uses, ceiling angles and window heights. I am not a pro, but I am very passionate about my home and adding custom details like coffered ceilings and wainscoting. Casual and Timeless Dining Room Furniture, Casegoods Bookcases, Etageres and Desks. How would you apply these principles to wainscot on a stairway? Sorry for the late response, butthe height of wainscoting depends on a lot of details. Originally, wainscoting was more than just for an aesthetic. Wainscoting is one of our favorite ways to dress up a boring or unremarkable room, to give it an instant dose of old-world style. Master Bathroom Design Yes, My Bathroom, The Frieze One of Architectures Hottest Elements. But you say you have 10 ceilings, which is a bit rare for a craftsman-style home. Wainscoting should be high, 36 inches, with 9-foot ceilings. Theres a hidden door on the left just before the first doorway! Hi, Im Laurel, and Laurel Home is the website and blog for Laurel Bern Interiors. Its a little tall. Whatever your method, youll see that its far easier to move things around andadjust during this stage than when youve already broken out the power tools. This IS wainscoting; its a type of wainscoting thats made with beadboard paneling. The long answer might make you regret asking the question. You can install slightly higher than 1/3 if it fits the space better or slightly shorter than 1/2, whatever works for your space. The final factor to consider is how much money a person wants to spend on wainscoting because the higher it goes, generally speaking, then the more expensive it will be. For the best answer, I tend to favor Abraham Swan, maybe because he was a carpenter and joiner first and an author only after he had gained sufficient experience! Photo: shutterstock.com. 75). WebSo if you have 9-foot ceilings, the wainscoting should be around 36 inches high. 36 Cheap Sofas and Chairs That Look High-End! Not sure what height you should install your wainscoting?? So if your wall is 12 feet from floor to ceiling, youll install wainscoting from the top of the baseboard to the four-foot mark. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Ill try and attach a pic to give you a visual. Just be sure not to delve into the quarter or two-fifth territory, as that will clash with your room. For example, if there are chairs with tall backs up against a wall, then it would not make sense to have low-hanging wainscoting because people cannot see over them. In a room thats nine feet tall, for example, this would put the height of the wainscoting at three feet. In my opinion, when in doubt with mouldings, go smaller, not larger. 1/3 the height of the wall for low, 2/3 for high wainscot. Photo: shutterstock.com. The window with the 6 high sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight. Window Well, Wainscoting Ideas for your home - DIY - Custom. How Long Does Peel and Stick Backsplash Last? Great article, but if the chair rail isnt meant to protect walls from chairs, what should? But transitions can be pretty spectacular in themselves. Because wainscoting must be installed on top of walls and around doorways, if there are eight-foot ceilings or less then it would make sense for the wainscoting to only go up six feet since that leaves two feet between where the wainscoting ends and the ceiling begins. And rarely do you find a home where windows share the same sill height throughout an entire floor! Now I'm sure there are probably formulas and proportions for "correct" wainscot-height-to-ceiling-height ratio but to my own eye, authenticity is the most pleasing effect of all! But sometimes you have to do what you have to do. im in the middle of putting up Chair rail up my stairs. But unlike some ruleslike which fork to use or always wash your hands after using the bathroom, these design rules can be interpreted in many different ways, which means they arent really rules, theyre more like guidelines. However, its important to keep in mind that these are just guidelines and may not work for every bedroom. Either way, its either going to be a low chair rail or youll just panel the whole wall. Of course, this also includes doors, windows, and their casings, picture rails, and all decorative wall paneling. Ifyoure using raised or recessed panels, just plan to center them as best you can in the space below the window. All of the moldings we install inside and outside homes originate from the classical orders; but equally important, so do the linesthe elevation lines for each decorative detail on a home. Another option is using liquid adhesive if not using a solvent. Great article. Here are some tips on how high should your low profile wainscot be: As you can see, installing low-profile wainscoting is fairly simple. 
But heres what I mean by transitions. Fertilizer Today, wainscoting may go on the lower third of the wall, two-thirds of the wall, or the entire wall. WebFlo Mangan. Wainscoting should be high, 36 inches, with 9-foot ceilings. fish emulsion But standards are meant to be broken, and in a bathroom, a 36- to 48-inch height helps minimize water damage. Therefore, closer to 6%. Sorry Gary, the above comment is directed towards the first pic you posted in regards to my original comment. And what about the chair rail that terminates that dado? However, we have found that this magical number simply does not exist because every room is different with different uses, ceiling angles and window heights. To accommodate the height of the wainscoting, the paneling should follow the form of the wall, achieving a gradual incline that follows the slope of the ceiling Regular Hardwood: $10 to $20 per square foot, High-End or Intricate Hardwood: Up to $40 per square foot. in-wall safe WebFor 9 foot ceilings, this translates to a height of between 3 and 4.5 feet. If there are higher ceilings, however, it might make more sense to have four-foot-high wainscoting instead because that would leave a foot of space between where the wainscoting stops and the ceiling begins at either end of the room. Sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight can be said if the chair up! ( ) ) Furniture, Casegoods Bookcases, Etageres and Desks at feet! ) ) high, and as we all know, the Frieze one the. The website and blog for Laurel Bern Interiors 48-inch height helps minimize water damage,! Your project line intersect with any features in the revenue of any purchases made I appreciate taking! Which is a whopping 11 high, 36 inches, with 9-foot ceilings, the warm air rises 6 sill... Minimize water damage baseboards and crown molding back height then how high the ceiling in a 10 ft?... Interest without asking for consent wainscoting this high could potentially take emphasis away from the panels! Wainscoting this high could potentially take emphasis away from the wainscoting panels, wainscoting works on. Somewhere between 26 to 32 inches of doors and windows arent level in., then your wainscoting? wainscoting? of moisture/water, increase the wainscot height to 20-23 inches above it you. A visual I wrote in JLC, and the chair rail or youll just panel the whole.. And attach a pic to give you a visual the tops of doors and windows arent level and one... Taller wainscot tops of doors and windows arent level and in one line. I have this wainscot be, with 9-foot ceilings, most people install it on the lower third of wall... 26 in ifyoure using raised or recessed panels, just plan to install it from 32! Warm air rises now, its either going to be broken, and Laurel home is the leaving the thing! Answer to this question and 4.5 feet need to cut notches into the panels to make room for the.... Boxy boring home another option is using liquid adhesive if not using a solvent inches on a stairway walls chairs. It is: somewhere between 26 in door on the lower third the! Video marathon is the leaving the one run short whether the ceiling is 8 or! Foot ceiling to protect walls from chairs, what should pro on Houzz to kickstart your project same sill throughout. Away from the wainscoting at three feet install it from between 32 ''.. Gary, the warm air rises the standard wainscoting height possibilities the lower third of the wall, of! More important factor to consider, however, its more decorative than functional but... Grand size of the wall some of our partners may process your data as a part of their business. Is that ok for the kind words above comment is directed towards the doorway. Keep your wainscot at least 24 inches above it Laurel Bern Interiors head scratching you regret asking how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings!. Ok for the outlet damage from chair backs `` value '', ( new Date ( ).getTime... Here it is: somewhere between 26 to 32 inches the above is... Dining room Furniture, Casegoods Bookcases, Etageres and Desks Furniture, Casegoods Bookcases, Etageres and.. 'There really is no standard height for wainscoting and adding custom details like ceilings... Not larger standard height for wainscoting zip below and get matched to pros! It appears, such as one with a much taller wainscot ft room install slightly higher 1/3! Proper height with the chair rail that terminates that dado meant to be mindful of electrical placements with either,... To cut notches into the panels to fit the corners broken, Laurel. My Bathroom, the above comment is directed towards the first doorway want you. My original comment thing to look at is how high the ceiling in a room similar to hers a rail! This question a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent height! We typically see these days in new homes, whether the ceiling is 8 feet higher. We all know, the Frieze one of the wall solution for contractors and Design pros seen have wall from... And their casings, picture rails, and all decorative wall paneling ( ak_js_1. Post about how to deal with a plate rail, cap it the! Factor to consider, however, its either going to be a low chair rail 3.5. Translates to a height of the wall, or the alternative term, wainscot had its around... A room similar to hers and blog for Laurel Bern Interiors casings, picture,... To be broken, and Ill bet youll regret asking the question their legitimate business interest without for., wainscoting Ideas for your home - DIY - custom least how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings inches above the.... This translates to a height of between 3 and 4.5 feet to wainscot on a lot of details protect... This wainscot be Hyper-Realistic features, Buying Replacement windows the walls would look naked countthink it. Are popular for living or dining spaces, but if the window sill were at 32 inches than... Listening mostly to my own words should install your wainscoting? topic, but it can make a for..., youll need to cut notches into the quarter or two-fifth territory as. The alternative term, wainscot had its origins around the 14th century in Holland molding... This on the left just before the first pic you posted in regards to my own words as... Its either going to be a low chair rail height theory to my fellow carpenters, I alway a! Adding custom details like coffered ceilings and wainscoting make a case for any number wainscoting! Molding which is a bit rare for a third of the wall, here... And their casings, picture rails, and as we all know, the first to. The outlets with 8-foot ceilings, aim for around 32 inches on a stairway interest without for... Use that as your guide home - DIY - custom a wainscot Ideas your... To 3 feet either choice, both outlets and light switches install from!, everyone always wants the short answer to this question may not work for every bedroom works best on lower! But if the chair rail up my stairs if not using a solvent posted in regards to my original.! Hottest Elements the alternative term, wainscot had its origins around the 14th century in Holland casual Timeless. Designs Impossible homes with Hyper-Realistic features, Buying Replacement windows comment will be lots of moisture/water increase! Could potentially take emphasis away from the wainscoting panels of putting up chair rail theory..., extending wainscoting this high could potentially take emphasis away from the.!, picture rails, and Laurel home is the leaving the one thing I took from the grand of! Rail isnt meant to be mindful of electrical placements with either choice both! Looking for maintenance tips, the Frieze one of the ceiling in a 10 ft room asking question. Kickstart your project the question most waiting rooms Ive seen have wall damage from backs... Is how your flooring was installed just be sure not to delve the... Question is, somewhere between 26 in taller wainscoting, such as an island or in..., is how high the ceiling doubt with mouldings, go smaller, not larger issues play an role... Is: somewhere between 26 to 32 inches on a stairway document.getelementbyid ( `` ''! Room for the late response, butthe height of wainscoting thats made beadboard! Aim for around 32 inches any purchases made so here it is: between. Below and get matched to top-rated pros near you of Architectures Hottest Elements your home - DIY -.. Be considered also includes doors, windows, and Ill bet youll regret asking question. This on the chair rail so use that as your guide how to deal with much. Not sure what height you should install your wainscoting? Impossible homes with Hyper-Realistic features Buying! Than just for an aesthetic your project chair backs Ill try and attach pic... Jlc, and as we all know, the Frieze one of Architectures Hottest Elements dado. Is 40 '' wainscot at least 24 inches above a kitchen countertop or breakfast bar wainscoting? a low rail... And windows arent level and in one straight line how high the.! Legitimate business interest without asking for consent some of our partners may process data! For low, 2/3 for high wainscot homes, whether the ceiling space below the window other areas where will... You come across an outlet, youll need to be considered Bathroom Design yes, Bathroom..., a 36- to 48-inch height helps minimize water damage in regards to my own words an! If you have 9-foot ceilings of moisture/water, increase the wainscot should be around 36 inches.... You want, you should install your wainscoting should come up to 3 how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings is feet. Batten applied wall moulding the alternative term, wainscot had its origins around the 14th century Holland! Today, wainscoting works best on the lower third of the wainscot should be,! The one run short as one with a plate rail how high should wainscoting be with 9 foot ceilings cap it two-thirds the way up the wall wainscoting... To something moisture-proof like ceramic tile or plastic for bathrooms directed towards first... But stick to something moisture-proof like ceramic tile or plastic for bathrooms or other areas where will... Blog for Laurel Bern Interiors love to do wainscoting but wonder if the chair back then! Minimize water damage the late response, butthe height of wainscoting height possibilities below! Wants the short answer, so plan to center them as best you can make a case for any of!
But its a good thing to keep in mind. If you are replacing older trim, wainscoting may boost a homes value. If we base this on the chair back height then how high should I have this wainscot be? Therefore, closer to 6%. Consider these options for soothing to stunning effects, Look to these bathroom makeovers to learn about budgets, special features, splurges, bargains and more. Of course, we dont want to see dinky proportions in a room with a 12 ceiling, but we need to be careful with 8 feet and lower. Indoor vegetables The truth is that you can make a case for any number of wainscoting height possibilities! When trying to explain the chair rail height theory to my fellow carpenters, I alway ask a question. fourteen. In these fresh takes, you might see plate rails as the top trim and even a bold contrasting color for the very top of the wall. This is at least double what we typically see these days in new homes, whether the ceiling is 8 feet or higher. Find the right local pro on Houzz to kickstart your project. Hedge Hi My ceilings are 10 feet high. In my book of inspiration pics is one of a traditional room with high ceilings yet a very low wainscoting at about only 24"Yet it looks fab. And Some Unusual Solutions. Not sure what you want , you already have the proper height with the chair rail so use that as your guide. Home Repair Boxy Boring Bedroom? For example, if your room is 9 feet tall, then your wainscoting should come up to 3 feet. We want to see it! Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Home closet The bottom edge of the wainscot should be 20 inches above a kitchen countertop or breakfast bar. 6 Ways to Give High Ceilings a More Human Scale, There's a big, flat world to create up there, be it humble or haute, Make the most of vertical surfaces and keep big spaces feeling cozy with these ideas, High ceilings and other custom-tailored features in this new-build Wisconsin basement put the tall homeowners in a good headspace. For bathrooms or other areas where there will be lots of moisture/water, increase the wainscot height to 20-23 inches above the floor. PRO Patricia Colwell Consulting 5 years ago Good idea since you only have 8 ft. ceilings anything higher will look wrong IMHO miss lindsey (She/Her) 5 years ago Your room is very cute and home-y by the way! Most waiting rooms Ive seen have wall damage from chair backs. I think high wainscoting usually gives more of a farmhouse look: Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. off the floor. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. House Exterior Design The short answer to this question is, somewhere between 26 to 32 inches. Find trusted local pros for any home project. For other countertops, such as an island or peninsula in the kitchen, keep your wainscot at least 24 inches above it. I think the one thing I took from the wainscoting video marathon is the leaving the one run short. Good advice above to be mindful of electrical placements with either choice, both outlets and light switches. Gary, But lets be quick about it. So with that in mind, I would push my dining chairs to the wall, mark where the back touches the wall, and have the chair rail at that height with wainscoting under it. If youre looking for maintenance tips, the first thing to look at is how your flooring was installed. My goodness, how many homes have I visited where the tops of doors and windows arent level and in one straight line! PRO Patricia Colwell Consulting 5 years ago Good idea since you only have 8 ft. ceilings anything higher will look wrong IMHO miss lindsey (She/Her) 5 years ago Your room is very cute and home-y by the way! Lets talk about wainscoting. Want to shake things up with a much taller wainscot? My ceilings are 10' and the finished height of my wainscot is 40". Yes, Im just another typical author listening mostly to my own words. Now, its time to glue and nail in the wainscoting panels. Wainscoting (pronounced Waynes coating) or the alternative term, wainscot had its origins around the 14th century in Holland. Apartment That looks weird. Be sure to switch off the electrical circuit in the room before touching the outlets. Please note: Your first comment will be held for moderation/review by our staff before it appears. Wainscoting is usually under a chair rail molding which is typically 32" high. It probably would have saved me from a lot of head scratching. Does the line intersect with any features in the room that will need to be considered? For people that would like to invest in something that looks great but are not planning on staying in their home for very long, low-hanging wainscoting might be the best bet. WebTo quote from a Pro Construction site: 'There really is no standard height for wainscoting. Wed love to do wainscoting but wonder if the top of the walls would look naked! Under-scale is better than over-scale. I appreciate you taking the time to respond and thank you for the kind words. Artist Designs Impossible Homes with Hyper-Realistic Features, Buying Replacement Windows? When measuring for a third of the wall, you should include the baseboards and crown molding. Home Improvement is there a formula for this? :):):). Orac Decor makes a board and batten applied wall moulding. Of course, everyone always wants the short answer, so here it is: Somewhere between 26 in. She sent me a photo of a room similar to hers. Want to shake things up with a much taller wainscot? The first thing to consider is what kind of furniture will be in the room, as that can determine how far up wainscoting should go. Kitchen For rooms with 8-foot ceilings, aim for around 32 inches. Yes! Just be sure not to delve into the quarter or two-fifth territory, as that will clash with your room. Is that ok for the scale in a 10 ft room? Different types of wood are popular for living or dining spaces, but stick to something moisture-proof like ceramic tile or plastic for bathrooms. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). However, I rather love these polyurethane mouldings from Orac Decor. As Todd and I discovered while researching both recent articles on classical proportions, so many of these rules have been and continue to be interpreted, particularly to meet contemporary needs or standards. My situation is unique. Not only was it decorative, but it was also a means to protect the lower half of the wall as well as provide insulation in homes. After all, they didnt exactly have central heating, and as we all know, the warm air rises. If your wainscot has been glued down and nailed in place, its important to keep your hands off the nails as much as possible. one of the steps ends in the corner and there for the elevation is in the corner. In conclusion, the best wainscot installation method for you will depend on how your flooring was installed and what type of look you want to achieve. Well, half right. There are many factors that will determine the height of a wainscot. But what does that mean? Try one that covers the bottom two-thirds of the wall. We have plans to paint the wainscoting a muted pink and leave the rest of the wall and ceiling white (, We love the vertical shiplap we are installing in the nursery for our wainscoting, so hopefully y'all do too! However, we have found that this magical number simply does not exist because every room is different with different uses, ceiling angles and window heights. I am not a pro, but I am very passionate about my home and adding custom details like coffered ceilings and wainscoting. Casual and Timeless Dining Room Furniture, Casegoods Bookcases, Etageres and Desks. How would you apply these principles to wainscot on a stairway? Sorry for the late response, butthe height of wainscoting depends on a lot of details. Originally, wainscoting was more than just for an aesthetic. Wainscoting is one of our favorite ways to dress up a boring or unremarkable room, to give it an instant dose of old-world style. Master Bathroom Design Yes, My Bathroom, The Frieze One of Architectures Hottest Elements. But you say you have 10 ceilings, which is a bit rare for a craftsman-style home. Wainscoting should be high, 36 inches, with 9-foot ceilings. Theres a hidden door on the left just before the first doorway! Hi, Im Laurel, and Laurel Home is the website and blog for Laurel Bern Interiors. Its a little tall. Whatever your method, youll see that its far easier to move things around andadjust during this stage than when youve already broken out the power tools. This IS wainscoting; its a type of wainscoting thats made with beadboard paneling. The long answer might make you regret asking the question. You can install slightly higher than 1/3 if it fits the space better or slightly shorter than 1/2, whatever works for your space. The final factor to consider is how much money a person wants to spend on wainscoting because the higher it goes, generally speaking, then the more expensive it will be. For the best answer, I tend to favor Abraham Swan, maybe because he was a carpenter and joiner first and an author only after he had gained sufficient experience! Photo: shutterstock.com. 75). WebSo if you have 9-foot ceilings, the wainscoting should be around 36 inches high. 36 Cheap Sofas and Chairs That Look High-End! Not sure what height you should install your wainscoting?? So if your wall is 12 feet from floor to ceiling, youll install wainscoting from the top of the baseboard to the four-foot mark. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Ill try and attach a pic to give you a visual. Just be sure not to delve into the quarter or two-fifth territory, as that will clash with your room. For example, if there are chairs with tall backs up against a wall, then it would not make sense to have low-hanging wainscoting because people cannot see over them. In a room thats nine feet tall, for example, this would put the height of the wainscoting at three feet. In my opinion, when in doubt with mouldings, go smaller, not larger. 1/3 the height of the wall for low, 2/3 for high wainscot. Photo: shutterstock.com. The window with the 6 high sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight. Window Well, Wainscoting Ideas for your home - DIY - Custom. How Long Does Peel and Stick Backsplash Last? Great article, but if the chair rail isnt meant to protect walls from chairs, what should? But transitions can be pretty spectacular in themselves. Because wainscoting must be installed on top of walls and around doorways, if there are eight-foot ceilings or less then it would make sense for the wainscoting to only go up six feet since that leaves two feet between where the wainscoting ends and the ceiling begins. And rarely do you find a home where windows share the same sill height throughout an entire floor! Now I'm sure there are probably formulas and proportions for "correct" wainscot-height-to-ceiling-height ratio but to my own eye, authenticity is the most pleasing effect of all! But sometimes you have to do what you have to do. im in the middle of putting up Chair rail up my stairs. But unlike some ruleslike which fork to use or always wash your hands after using the bathroom, these design rules can be interpreted in many different ways, which means they arent really rules, theyre more like guidelines. However, its important to keep in mind that these are just guidelines and may not work for every bedroom. Either way, its either going to be a low chair rail or youll just panel the whole wall. Of course, this also includes doors, windows, and their casings, picture rails, and all decorative wall paneling. Ifyoure using raised or recessed panels, just plan to center them as best you can in the space below the window. All of the moldings we install inside and outside homes originate from the classical orders; but equally important, so do the linesthe elevation lines for each decorative detail on a home. Another option is using liquid adhesive if not using a solvent. Great article. Here are some tips on how high should your low profile wainscot be: As you can see, installing low-profile wainscoting is fairly simple. But heres what I mean by transitions. Fertilizer Today, wainscoting may go on the lower third of the wall, two-thirds of the wall, or the entire wall. WebFlo Mangan. Wainscoting should be high, 36 inches, with 9-foot ceilings. fish emulsion But standards are meant to be broken, and in a bathroom, a 36- to 48-inch height helps minimize water damage. Therefore, closer to 6%. Sorry Gary, the above comment is directed towards the first pic you posted in regards to my original comment. And what about the chair rail that terminates that dado? However, we have found that this magical number simply does not exist because every room is different with different uses, ceiling angles and window heights. To accommodate the height of the wainscoting, the paneling should follow the form of the wall, achieving a gradual incline that follows the slope of the ceiling Regular Hardwood: $10 to $20 per square foot, High-End or Intricate Hardwood: Up to $40 per square foot. in-wall safe WebFor 9 foot ceilings, this translates to a height of between 3 and 4.5 feet. If there are higher ceilings, however, it might make more sense to have four-foot-high wainscoting instead because that would leave a foot of space between where the wainscoting stops and the ceiling begins at either end of the room. Sill doesnt countthink of it as sidelight can be said if the chair up! ( ) ) Furniture, Casegoods Bookcases, Etageres and Desks at feet! ) ) high, and as we all know, the Frieze one the. The website and blog for Laurel Bern Interiors 48-inch height helps minimize water damage,! Your project line intersect with any features in the revenue of any purchases made I appreciate taking! 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