How High Does Wainscoting Go?

For the Most Impact

• Though it can technically be any height you need, typical wainscoting is between 30-inches and 48-inches high. It should reach one-third to two-thirds up the wall, according to Josh Garskof of This Old House, but it is unnecessary to have wainscoting the same height throughout your home. Wainscot is an expensive detail, so having it high on the walls, within the confines of a small space such as an entryway, delivers an impression of luxuriousness -- even when none is used throughout the rest of the house.

Rule of Thirds

• These height recommendations reinforce the Rule of Thirds commonly used in art and photography. Essentially, something is thought to be more visually interesting if the eye is attracted to one side, above or below the middle. Having the subject perfectly centered appears boring. Basing the application of your wainscoting on thirds better addresses walls of any height. In addition, wainscoting placed halfway up your wall makes the wall -- if not the entire room -- feel cut in half.

Shadowbox Alternative

• Shadowboxes are alternatives to wainscoting that work along the same principle. Shadowboxes are essentially mitered frames, usually square or rectangular in shape, that are placed below chair rail molding, or that extend to the ceiling with the wall and frames painted the same color. Whether you choose wainscoting or the shadowbox method to dress your walls, both bring visual interest and a feeling of longevity to your space.

The Math Involved

• Dividing the height of your wall into 80 equal parts is the first step to determining the proportionate height of the wainscoting. Divide the height of your wall in inches by 80 to determine the height of each part. To create one-third-height wainscoting, multiply this number by 27. For wainscoting that utilizes two-thirds of your wall, multiply by 54. Top your wainscoting with molding to add the finishing touch.