Should Wainscoting Be Lighter or Darker Than Walls?

Painting the wainscot in the same color as the walls tones down its inherent traditional feel and makes it more contemporary. Choose a color a few shades lighter or darker than the walls, or use the exact same shade to make the molding as subtle as possible.

Should wainscoting be dark or light?

The traditional color of wainscoting is white. For a small space, white is a great way to open up the space and allow you to paint the wall a darker color. However, that might be a bad choice for a mudroom since there is a lot of traffic going through the room. The type of paint is also important.

Should wainscoting match trim?

Wainscoting is commonly painted to match existing trim in a home; however, employing different paint colors and treatments can add character and personality to a home's interior. For example, a raised panel wainscoting gives a room a more formal appearance.