Does Wainscoting Make a Room Look Bigger? And Will It Still Be Stylish in 2025?

Wainscoting has been a popular design feature for centuries, gracing the walls of stately homes and contemporary interiors alike. But as home design trends evolve, questions arise: Does wainscoting make a room look bigger? And more importantly, will wainscoting still be in style in 2025? These are the questions that many homeowners and interior designers are contemplating as they seek to refine their spaces. In this article, we will explore the functional and aesthetic benefits of wainscoting, its impact on the perception of space, and its enduring appeal as we approach the new decade.As that could damage the materials or cause warping. 

What Is Wainscoting?

Before diving into the specifics of how wainscoting can affect the size and style of a room, it’s important to understand exactly what wainscoting is. Wainscoting refers to the paneling or trim that typically covers the lower part of a wall, though it can vary in height. Traditionally, it was used to protect walls from damage caused by furniture, especially in high-traffic areas like hallways. Today, wainscoting is primarily a decorative element that adds texture and visual interest to interiors.

There are several types of wainscoting, including:

• Raised Panel Wainscoting: Characterized by panels that are raised from the surrounding framework. This style has a more formal, traditional appeal.
• Flat Panel Wainscoting: Also known as “recessed” wainscoting, it has a sleek, modern appearance that fits well in contemporary spaces.
• Beadboard Wainscoting: Made from narrow, vertical planks with a distinctive beaded design along the edges, often used in coastal or cottage-style rooms.
• Board and Batten Wainscoting: This style uses vertical boards with strips (called battens) placed over the seams, giving the wall a more rustic or farmhouse look.

Each of these styles can transform the aesthetic of a room and add an element of design sophistication. But does wainscoting have a functional impact on how spacious a room feels?

How Does Wainscoting Affect the Perception of Space?

When considering whether wainscoting makes a room look bigger, it’s essential to understand the psychological principles of visual space. Interior design is all about creating illusions and manipulating how space feels rather than how it actually measures up on a tape measure. Wainscoting, in particular, can play a pivotal role in altering our perception of a room’s size and proportions.

1. Adding Vertical Lines

Wainscoting often involves the use of vertical panels or grooves that draw the eye upward. This can make a room feel taller, particularly when paired with light colors or contrasting trim that emphasizes the height of the walls. Rooms with high ceilings will seem even more expansive, while spaces with lower ceilings may feel more open and airy as the vertical lines help to lift the eye upward, avoiding a boxed-in or cramped appearance.

Tip: For smaller rooms with low ceilings, light-colored wainscoting, such as white or pale gray, combined with vertical lines, can make the space feel more expansive and airy. Avoid dark colors or overly elaborate patterns, as they may make the room feel smaller and more enclosed.

2. Creating a Sense of Balance

Wainscoting can break up large, plain walls into more manageable sections, which helps to create a sense of balance within the room. In a large space with high walls, wainscoting can bring the walls down visually, preventing the room from feeling overly cavernous or imposing. In smaller rooms, it can add enough visual interest to prevent the walls from feeling too closed in, enhancing the sense of space.

Tip: For rooms with an awkward layout, wainscoting can also create a visual “frame,” helping to divide the space into more aesthetically pleasing proportions and emphasizing the layout over any perceived lack of size.

3. Reflecting Light

A crucial factor in making a room appear larger is the way it interacts with light. Wainscoting, particularly when painted in lighter shades, can reflect light into the room, enhancing the perception of openness. This is especially true when paired with well-placed mirrors or glass fixtures, which can further reflect and amplify  By lightening up the lower half of the wall, wainscoting ensures that the space feels brighter, which in turn makes it feel more spacious.

Tip: Consider pairing wainscoting with light, neutral colors or metallic finishes to maximize the reflective properties and create a brighter, airier atmosphere.

4. Defining Zones in Open Spaces

In open-plan homes, wainscoting can be used to subtly delineate different areas of the space without the need for walls or dividers. This can help to visually separate living areas, dining areas, or even kitchen spaces, providing a sense of structure and order. While the room itself may be large, the added definition can give the space a more intimate and cohesive feel, preventing it from feeling too expansive or impersonal.

Tip: In large open spaces, using wainscoting in different heights or styles for different areas can create a sense of separation while still maintaining an open and flowing atmosphere.

Can Wainscoting Get Wet?

Wainscot paneling can get wet, but depending on the type of material and paint you select, the amount of moisture your wainscoting can handle will vary. In-home wainscot panels generally deal with splashes or spills, and that type of moisture will not do any significant damage. However, wainscoting is not often suitable in wet locations like bathrooms, especially if you DIY install it. If you plan to use wainscoting in your bathroom, invest in a professional installation because they will seal your wall panels for such a humid area properly. Additionally, don’t allow spills or splashes to pool around your wainscoting framework or molding. 

Should wainscoting be lighter or darker than walls?

For a timeless and elegant look, consider the classic contrast of painting the wainscoting white or off-white, paired with a bold or muted color for the walls. This combination creates a visually striking effect, adding depth and dimension to the space. If you prefer a more subtle and cohesive style, try a monochromatic approach. Choose a single color and use lighter shades on the walls while applying darker tones to the wainscoting. This layered look maintains harmony while adding sophistication to the room. Both methods allow flexibility, letting you tailor the design to suit traditional, modern, or transitional interiors seamlessly.

Will Wainscoting Still Be in Style in 2025?

Now that we understand the potential impact of wainscoting on the perception of space, we must address whether this feature will continue to be a popular design element in 2025 and beyond. Wainscoting’s popularity may vary depending on geographic location and local design trends. In regions with a strong historical architectural presence, like New England or parts of Europe, wainscoting will likely remain a dominant feature. Meanwhile, in more modern, minimalist cities, designers may lean toward more subtle applications of wainscoting or even skip it altogether in favor of cleaner walls.

Conclusion

In conclusion, wainscoting remains a timeless design element that can certainly enhance the perception of space, making a room feel larger and more open. Its ability to add height, balance, and light reflection can make even the smallest rooms feel more expansive. As for its future, wainscoting is likely to remain in style as we head into 2025, thanks to its timeless appeal, adaptability, and integration with contemporary design trends.As with any trend, interior design preferences are constantly evolving. However, wainscoting is a timeless feature that has been incorporated into homes for centuries, and it’s unlikely to disappear in the near future.