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

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 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
Art for Home Interior Design, Art for the home, Home Interior Designers

Planning to decorate your walls with Art – Here are some best practices

This article comes to us from our partner Artburt. Artburt has been passionately promoting the cause of Digital Photography as

Furnishing, Decor Shops in Bangalore, Home Interior Shops in Bangalore, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Shopping for Interiors?? – Recommended places in Bangalore

The question about which are the best places to shop for stuff for home interiors in Bangalore has surfaced in
An interior Designers perspective, Interior Design Cost in Bangalore, Interior Design Masterclass, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Third Edition of my Masterclass on Interior Design Best Practices

November 3 it is — Just in case you missed the earlier two Masterclasses, here is another chance for you

Bangalore Home Interior expert, Newspapers

My “Expert Corner” in Deccan Herald – Starts today

Deccan Herald has started an “Ask the Expert” section in their Friday Homes & Interiors segment where I will be

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

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
Stone Finish

Natural Stone Finish for Walls: Stacking Stone and Newer Alternatives

Stacking stone and stone in general has been extremely popular with home makers and home interior design in general across

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

Interior Designers in Bangalore, Woodwork in Bangalore

Types of Wood & Wood Specifications for Home Interiors

Over the course of the last few years the maximum number of queries I’ve received from my readers has been

Sliding Wardrobes, Sliding Wardrobes Bangalore

Sliding Wardrobes Bangalore – Launching “The Studio” Range of Hi End Designer Wardrobes

Dear readers…this is just a short announcement that I am launching my own range of Hi End DesignerWardrobes under the

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 Designers

Why Interior Designers need to think Beyond the Box.

I had written on this topic some time back on this blog, an updated version of the post was published

Furniture for Home Interiors – The Build versus Buy dilemma & the changing role of the Interior Designer.

With the unorganized furniture retail market in India touching approx. $20 Billion, early bird online furniture retailers like Pepperfry, Urban

Interior Design

Deep Refurbish – Interior Design Project at Elita Promenade Bangalore

Pictures of a Deep Refurbish Design Project at Elita Promenade Bangalore
An interior Designers perspective, Interior design, Interior Design Trends

Pandemic & Perspective – The Interior Design Challenge

The Pandemic is forcing Interior Designers to think differently. The doubling up of the home as an office is inducing

Interior Designers in Bangalore, interiors in bangalore, Material for Home Interiors in Bangalore, Material to use for Woodwork

So what is the Right material to choose for Woodwork?

So you have made your first visit to the market to decide on your interiors, visited @Home, HomeStop, Hometown, Home
Interior Designers in Bangalore, Nandita Manwani, the studio bangalore

My New Logo – The Studio: Homes, Kitchens & Wardrobes

Finally after long deliberations & doodling with friends and family the logo for The Studio is out…yooohoo 🙂   Based

Interior design, Interior Design Experience Center, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Some Pictures of our Interior Design Experience Center in Bangalore

We recently started hosting clients at our Interior Design Experience Center and it is a whole new feeling to do

Related Articles

Scroll to Top
Thank you icon

Thanks for your Interest

We will get back to you on this shortly