Wainscoting is an ornamental dressing that is applied to the lower portion of a wall. It is composed of wall paneling, moldings, baseboard molding and chair rail or wainscot cap. It is an old world embellishment that is enjoying resurging interest, particularly in the Northeastern United States. There are various kinds of wainscot applications. A common format is when wall panels are created by rails and stiles, which form boxes adorned by elegant molding. Raised panel and flat panel wainscoting is formed in this manner.

Raised panel, a style mostly seen in formal home environments such as living rooms, studies or libraries, is particularly appealing when used in the following revival styles: Colonial, Queen Anne, Georgian, Federalist, Shingle Style and various other revival styles. The most visible characteristics of raised panel wainscot are its beveled edging treatments. This is a traditional effect used in Western European woodcarving. Flat panel, by contrast, is a less formal style seen in family-oriented rooms such as kitchens and family rooms, and is appealing and periodically succinct when used in the American Mission, Shaker, Craft, and Prairie and Arts styles of the 20th century. Flat panel wainscot aesthetically differentiates itself from Raised panel in that its edges are completely flat.

With regards to materials, wainscoting can be made of wood, MDF (medium density fiberboard), plaster and even marble. MDF is used in humid environments, such as basements, since it does not warp when confronted with the prospects of water damage. The earliest documentation of wainscoting appearing in homes is in 16th century England; to cover the lower part of walls; at a time when homes were not built to resist rising dampness. These days, however, it is used as an elegant way to decorate rooms in the home. While wainscoting is usually applied in the more formal rooms of a house, including the dinning room, living room and bedrooms, it is also found in bathrooms, hallways, staircase areas and foyers.

With its exquisite and varied patterns, wainscoting is mainly selected by interior designers looking to add historical charm to a home. While it can certainly be done by a ‘do-it-yourself' homeowner, applying wainscoting to a home is an elaborate process that requires the knowledge and skill of an experienced professional.