The Studio by Nandita Manwani

Wainscoting: The Latest Trend in Interior Design in India: Should You Follow?

Interior Design Trends, Wainscoting
A functional lining of the bottom portion of walls that started as a technique for wall protection and retaining heat within homes in 13th Century Europe has now become an Interior Design trend in India. What I am talking about is Wainscoting & every second customer planning Interiors for their Home who I have spoken to in this last 6 months wants it.

For those who don’t know what Wainscoting is – it is those frame type shapes that are stuck on walls and painted, just Google and it will show you or look at the title picture of this post (courtesy Pinterest)

What is interesting is that YouTube is full of DIY Wainscoting Videos from Europe & the US that show the panels and rails directly nailed to the walls. Folks here in India follow suit not realizing that “their” walls are made of wood while “ours” are cement.

In India if you ask a Carpenter versus a Painter on how best to do Wainscoting, each will give you a different answer. I have seen Carpenters in Bangalore doing it by the YouTube method added with their own innovation – they nail “Teak Beading” directly to the walls — nightmare for the painter as then he has to ensure that the join between the wall and the wood does not crack, in addition, filling those pinholes because of nailing the beading is no easy task. The painters on the other hand might tell you to do it in Veneer finish as that is something that they are most comfortable in, but then you lose out on the versatility of Wainscot to match a variety of design themes.

So, should one use Wainscoting or not? And if yes then what is the best way to apply it within the constraints thrown up by conditions in India and manpower that is not trained to do it. This is what we shall discuss in the blog post today – step by step and question by question. By the end of it if there are any questions still unanswered then feel free to leave a comment & I shall revert.

 

Q1: What is Wainscoting? & Why is it gaining so much traction nowadays?

Ans: Fundamentally Wainscoting is wooden panels running from floor till about 3 feet height on the walls. The Panel design can be anything. In olden times in Europe (from where this trend originated) Wainscoting was a way to protect the walls and to keep the home warm and cosy. Why is it gaining so much traction? Frankly, God knows. It is like any other Interior Design trend that comes along and gets everyone hooked.

 

Q2: Should you consider Wainscoting for your home or office?

Ans: Wainscot walls if done right give a very classy look that can be aligned both to a Contemporary or Traditional Interior Design Theme, hence if you like it AND if you have a large sized space then YES absolutely go for it. Do remember though that Wainscot gets embellished in large spaces. If you do it in a small room, the space may look even smaller, in addition, with all the furniture the Wainscot might not even be visible. Also understand that any speciality finish on walls is always a passing trend – for e.g. wall stickers became a trend some time back, hence be mentally ready to remove the wainscot in your next home or office refurb.

 

Q3: Are there any restrictions or places where Wainscoting should be avoided

Ans: Yes, make sure that the wall where you are planning Wainscoting does not have any dampness nor is it a wall that is prone to get damp in the future – like external facing walls in a poor-quality construction (unfortunately most Bangalore apartments fall in this category 😊). Any dampness in the wall will spoil the Wainscot finish in a few months.

 

Q4: How much does Wainscoting Cost? Is the cost prohibitive?

Ans: Wainscoting costs no more than any other form of wall panelling. It is just a Wooden/ MDF panel with good quality paint on top. The Workmanship however will cost you more than regular painting as it is more intricate.

 

Q5: Can Wainscoting be done by directly nailing the Beading (Called Rails) on the walls? What is the best way to install a Wainscot Panel for Indian Conditions?

Ans: Do not nail the Rails directly on to the walls. Due to the difference in the base material the paint will crack in places where the wood (of the rail) meets the wall. Instead, install a Base Panel and PASTE (not Nail) the Bottom, Middle and the Cap Rails to the Base Panel. The Rails can be wooden or in WPC (Wood Plastic Composite). The Base Panel should be HDHMR (Avoid MDF) or WPC Board as these are water resistant. The Base Panel can be joined to the wall with screws. The screw holes should be planned such that they get covered by the Rails to avoid the trouble of filling and finishing the hole.

 

Q6: What kind of paint should be used for Wainscoting

Ans: You can use regular wall paint on Wainscoting Panels & Rails – preferably the higher range like Royale or equivalent. Depending on the final finish planned even Duco Paint, Enamel (Satin), PU or Melamine Finishes would suit.

That covers it short & sweet. If you have any further questions then do feel free to leave a comment

 

Signing off

Nandita

 

PS: A copy of this post is also published on Times of India Online at https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-culture-of-space/wainscoting-the-latest-trend-in-interior-design-in-india-should-you-follow/

4 thoughts on “Wainscoting: The Latest Trend in Interior Design in India: Should You Follow?”

  1. About wainscoat , can we use ready pop corniche as railing instead of wooden or mdf railings . So that we can reduce cost also painting will not have cracks as u said . Kindly let me know your opinion ?

  2. Yes you can use a PoP Cornice for Wainscoting instead of Wood/ MDF. The only issue is that the designs/ shapes available in PoP are quite restrictive, but if you find ones that suit your design then PoP can absolutely be used

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

Best Interior Design Companies in Bangalore, Best Interior Designers in Bangalore, Interior Decorators in Bangalore, List of Interior Designers in Bangalore, Newspapers, Top Interior Designers in Bangalore

The Experts you need when making your home – My recent article in Deccan Herald

My article below was published in Deccan Herald last Friday. The free text is pasted below. Happy reading Cheers Nandita

Modular Kitchen

Stainless Steel Kitchen or a Regular Modular Kitchen in Wood? Which Should YOU Choose for Your New Home

Stainless steel kitchens are gaining popularity in Indian homes, known for their durability, hygiene, and modern aesthetic. While traditionally seen
Interior design versus modular furniture, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Think Outside the BOX !

Chapter 1: It’s not the box babe’ – it’s your Life The boxes have taken over, where we live –

Blog

My Interior Design Blog on Times of India Online

Times of India Online will now be featuring my Interior Design Blog. I have named it “The Culture of Space”

Interior designer value, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Deccan Herald Bangalore’s story on the value of hiring an Interior Designer

Today’s edition of Deccan Herald hosts an article on the value that an interior designer adds to the home making

Home Interior Photographs, Home Interior Photographs Bangalore, Interior Design Photographs, Interior Designers in JP Nagar, Modular Kitchen Photographs

What is a Modular Kitchen, what you will need to install one and how it compares to its traditional counterpart

My first article on this blog in the year 2010 was on the same subject. To make it more relevant

A couple of my home interior design projects featured in Homify Magazine

A couple of my Home interior projects were recently featured by Homify magazine. Do please see them in the links

Bangalore Home Interiors, Concorde Napa valley, Home Interior Designers

Additional Home Interior Photographs of interiors done at Concorde Napa Valley Villas in Bangalore

Additional Pictures of Home Interior Design & Turnkey Interiors at Concorde Napa Valley Bangalore. These have been taken in daylight

Environment,Interior Design Best Practices

Interior Design for Total Environment Homes

In all Total Environment projects across Bangalore, you will notice a set of general principles around which their homes are

Home Renovation

A Home to Redesign, Renovate and Refurbish

Life stage based interior design is a concept that I have discussed on this blog multiple times but it will
Island Kitchen,Kitchen Design,kitchen Interiors Bangalore,Modular Kitchen,Magazine

Kitchen Design: B&I Magazine & Siemens India Interview excerpts

Building & Interiors Magazine in conjunction with Siemens India published my interview on the subject of Kitchen Appliances for the

Interior Designer,interior designer in bangalore

The Interior Designer Called Pinterest

Over the last few months, I have had several conversations with customers about Pinterest. The most interesting one was with

best practices, kitchen Interiors Bangalore, Modular Kitchen, Modular Kitchens

Kitchen Design – Best Practices Consolidated in One Single Article

The article on the left was published in today’s Deccan Herald. It encapsulates and consolidates all the Kitchen Design Best

An interior Designers perspective, home interior best practices, Interior design best practices in Bangalore, Interior Design Masterclass, Interior Design Trends

Interior Design and the Pandemic

The Pandemic has brought profound changes to the way people live – be it the requirement of constant sanitization, the

Interior Designers in Bangalore

New Q&A Module for you to ask your questions

This blog today hosts over 3500 Q&A on home interiors under different posts. For some of the more popular posts

Interior Design,Interior design best practices in Bangalore

Interior Design & The Culture of Space

Each space, the way it is designed, built, maintained, kept dirty or kept clean exudes a certain culture, that culture
Interior designer bangalore

I AM

The idea for this post came when, during a design discussion, the lady of the house said “I AM a
Interior design, Sliding Door Wardrobe, Sliding Wardrobe Design, Sliding Wardrobes, Sliding Wardrobes Bangalore

Sliding Wardrobes – “Do it right the first time”

Sliding door wardrobes seem to be the in thing nowadays especially because they help save valuable space in small rooms
Apartment Home Interior Pictures, Interior Design project Bangalore, Interior Designers in Sarjapur

Interior Design Project at Sarjapur Road Bangalore – Some Pictures

Here are some pics from a recent project at Sarjapur Road Bangalore. Hope you like them.  

Interior designer bangalore

The Interior Designer – it’s not just the person stupid – it’s the team.

If you have not seen the “matka painting” pictures on our facebook page then do click here to check them

Design Masterclass,interior designers in Bangalore

Our Design Masterclass last week with university students and upcoming interior designers in Bangalore

Had the privilege of hosting the design masterclass for students of the school of Interior Design at Jain University Campus

Related Articles

Scroll to Top
Thank you icon

Thanks for your Interest

We will get back to you on this shortly