DESIGN

When it comes to architectural detail in your home, there are a number of key terms you’ll encounter, many of which can be a bit mystifying. These architectural elements are often the unsung heroes of so many spaces, subtly adding depth and interest to an otherwise flat wall. Let’s break down what each term means, plus how you can incorporate them into a space.

Molding

Molding refers to the decorative trim used to frame elements like doors, windows, walls, and ceilings. There are many types of molding, each with its specific purpose and style. For example:

• Baseboards: Installed where the wall meets the floor, these provide a clean transition and protect walls from scuffs.

• Crown molding: Found at the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling, crown molding adds elegance and can even make ceilings appear higher.

• Chair rails: These horizontal moldings are placed along walls to protect them from damage, typically positioned about a third of the way up from the floor.

To use molding successfully, choose a style that complements your room's architecture. Simple, clean lines suit modern homes, while more ornate moldings can elevate traditional or historical spaces. Consider the scale of your room too—large moldings can overwhelm small spaces, while undersized moldings may look out of place in larger rooms.

Fun fact—originally, molding was used to hide joins or protect certain places on the walls, but today molding is mostly used purely decoratively, like the trim work shown below. The rectangular box trim below adds texture and makes the room feel elevated and complete.

Wainscoting

Wainscoting refers to wood paneling on the lower third of a wall. More specifically, wainscoting covers the wall from “chair height” down to the floor— it was invented to protect expensive plaster walls from damage if a chair were bumped into it. Wainscoting can be made of a number of different types of paneling, like shiplap, beadboard, etc., but will always have some kind of chair rail or trim at the top and baseboard at the bottom.

Wainscoting works well in high-traffic areas like hallways, dining rooms, entryways, and mudrooms. It also provides a way to introduce texture and color contrast.

Paneling

Paneling refers to flat or raised sections of wood or other materials applied to walls. Unlike wainscoting, which is typically limited to the lower third of a wall, paneling can cover an entire wall or be used in sections to add visual interest.

Paneling is highly versatile. It can be painted, stained, or left natural depending on the look you’re going for. It’s perfect for creating feature walls or adding warmth and texture to a room. When using paneling, keep in mind that large, bold patterns work best in expansive spaces, while smaller rooms benefit from more subtle designs.

Now let’s check out a few specific types of molding, wainscoting, and paneling!

Beadboard is a type of wood paneling where the boards are fairly narrow and have small grooves between them. Beadboard is very charming and adds a custom feel to a space. It can be installed floor-to-ceiling or as the paneling of wainscoting, and it’s a popular style for bathrooms.

Board and batten is a type of paneling with two components: the wide boards that go side by side, and the narrow battens that hide the seams between the boards. Board and batten can be used as exterior siding or as decorative paneling indoors. The boards and the battens can be in any size and configuration that suits your space.

Chair rail refers to a single strip of molding that runs around an entire room at “chair height,” or about a third of the way up the wall. When chair rail is used, it is usually one component of a larger molding layout.

Picture frame molding, also known as box trim, is a purely decorative style of wall accent where strips of molding are hung in squares or rectangles (and look like giant picture frames). There are many different profiles/styles of trim you can use to create this look, and it will make a room feel elevated, or even more elegant and formal.

Shiplap traditionally refers to rows of planks joined with a 90 degree rabbet joint between each board, originally used to make ships, and then used as exterior siding on houses to protect against rough weather. The interior shiplap we know and love today doesn’t have the traditional practical use, but it certainly brings a handcrafted charm into a space in a very subtle way. Shiplap can be installed horizontally or vertically.

Slat walls are exactly what they sound like— a wall or a space on a wall where wooden slats have been attached to the wall to bring some texture into the room. The slats can be vertical or horizontal, painted or left natural, and with your preferred amount of space between each slat.

We made it! I’ll leave you with one last bit of info for the road: the first known use of the word wainscot is from the 14th century, from the Middle Dutch word “wagenschot,” which most likely meant “wagon crossbar.”

Happy, happy designing!