When I designed our master bathroom, I knew from the start that I wanted a glazed porcelain floor tile that resembled tumbled marble. It has a weathered, old-world look that I find more interesting than traditional polished marble. Plus, porcelain tile is much stronger and harder than real marble, so it’s less likely to crack. It’s also less porous and more stain-resistant.

While shopping for floor tile, I saw a catalog photo that showed the same tile applied to a bathroom wall, similar to wainscoting. I loved the look and immediately ordered enough tiles to cover the bottom 36-inch of my bath walls.

The wainscoting comprises 10-inch x 10-inch tiles, a stone bead, 4-inch x 4-inch tiles, and a stone chair rail. It wraps around the room, visually tying the bathroom together. Besides the appeal of the wainscoting, I also liked that I didn’t have to install baseboard molding. The wall tile sits right on top of the floor tile.

Read our article about tile flooring costs and get a quote from an installer in your area by filling out the form below. 



Benefits of Bathroom Wainscoting

Wainscoting transforms the look of a bathroom by adding visual interest, texture, and character to walls. Here are the main benefits wainscoting delivers:

Wainscoting upgrades the style of a bathroom. The layered visual creates a framed effect on the lower part of the walls that looks more interesting than drywall or paint.

Adding trim pieces, beads, raised panels, and tiles adds dimensional detailing, creating visual texture and architectural appeal.

Tile wainscoting, like in my bathroom, has great durability. Porcelain resists moisture, stains, and scratches better than drywall or paint. 

Tile wainscoting’s hard, nonporous surface makes it easy to wipe down and keep clean. Bathroom walls get splashed and exposed to moisture, and maintaining tile in a bathroom is easier than drywall and paint.

Wainscoting has a decorative, classic look that suits many design styles, from traditional to farmhouse.

Some wainscoting, like beadboard panels, has a removable cap piece at the top. This piece allows access to the space behind for bathroom storage.


Tile, beadboard, wood panels, wallpaper, and drywall are some of the most popular wainscoting materials used in bathrooms today. Consider each material’s look and installation details.

Like in my bathroom, natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles make excellent wainscoting. Tile gives you endless options for color, texture, finish, size, etc. It’s durable and easy to clean.

These panels have a distinctive look with vertical, parallel grooves. You can paint or stain them. Beadboard wainscoting delivers a cottage-style look.

You can use traditional raised wood panels for wainscoting. This approach has a formal, elegant look. To prevent moisture incursion, apply a finish like paint, stain, or whitewash.

For a budget-friendly alternative, wallpaper with a faux wainscoting look provides the visual effect without major installation work or expense.


Height and Installation Considerations

The height and installation method you choose for wainscoting depends on your bathroom’s proportions and your skill level and budget. Here are key considerations:

I chose a typical wainscoting height of 36 inches for my bathroom, which has a standard 8-foot ceiling. Wainscoting heights range from 24 to 48 inches or extend to the ceiling if you like a full-wall treatment. Measure the walls and use painter’s tape to map out different height options before installing.

For DIY wainscoting projects, beadboard panels are the easiest material to work with. You can glue and nail them to existing drywall. With more labor-intensive installations for tile and wood, you usually must remove drywall and install wainscoting on bare studs for proper support and adhesion. 

Think about your skill level and budget correctly when picking a material. On average, professionally installed wainscoting costs $50 per square foot.


Maintaining and Cleaning Wainscoting

The maintenance for wainscoting depends on the material. Tile and high-quality wood panels are durable and easy to care for. You should caulk and seal beadboard wainscoting properly during installation to prevent moisture damage, and these types of panels may eventually need repainting.

Use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and mild detergent for routine cleaning. Avoid abrasive cleaners or pads that could scratch or damage the finish of wood or tile wainscoting.

Promptly wipe up any moisture or bathroom products that get on the wainscoting to prevent stains from setting in. Gently wiping off water splashes or drips after bathroom use can help avoid long-term moisture damage and stains. With proper care, quality wainscoting materials can last for decades.


So, Is Bathroom Wainscoting Worth It?

Overall, wainscoting is an excellent upgrade in any bathroom where you want to add style, texture, and visual appeal beyond plain painted walls. The layered look provides so much more character and sophistication. 

Tile wainscoting is an ideal choice for bathrooms because it is moisture-resistant and easy to keep clean. Just be sure to account for the added installation cost in your bathroom remodel budget. Professional wainscoting installation costs about $50 per square foot, on average. For most homeowners, the aesthetic benefits are worth the investment.

Get Free Estimates from Bathroom Remodeling Experts
Typical Price Range: $2,000 – $18,000

FAQs About Bathroom Wainscoting

What are some tips for choosing bathroom wainscoting materials?

Consider your overall style, skill level, and budget. Tile and beadboard suit many bathroom designs. In humid bathrooms, look for moisture-resistant materials like porcelain tile or PVC beadboard panels.


What trim pieces do I need for wainscoting?

Typical wainscoting trim pieces include a bottom cap, vertical stiles running from floor to ceiling, horizontal rails along the top and bottom edges, cap trim bordering the top, and corner trim for hiding edges.


Should I install wainscoting floor-to-ceiling or partially up the wall?

Partial wainscoting that covers the lower half or third of a wall is most common in bathrooms. For a dramatic effect, floor-to-ceiling wainscoting can look elegant, and designer bathrooms often use it. I recommend partial wainscoting for most homeowners, depending on the bathroom’s proportions.


How difficult is it to install bathroom wainscoting?

Beadboard panels are beginner-friendly for DIY installation. Tile and wood wainscoting require more skill and labor. Many homeowners hire a professional installer for specialty materials or full wall coverage.


Editorial Contributors
avatar for Jonathon Jachura

Jonathon Jachura

Contributor

Jonathon Jachura is a two-time homeowner with hands-on experience with HVAC, gutters, plumbing, lawn care, pest control, and other aspects of owning a home. He is passionate about home maintenance and finding the best services. His main goal is to educate others with crisp, concise descriptions that any homeowner can use. Jon uses his strong technical background to create engaging, easy-to-read, and informative guides. He does most of his home and lawn projects himself but hires professional companies for the “big things.” He knows what goes into finding the best service providers and contractors. Jon studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana and worked in the HVAC industry for 12 years. Between his various home improvement projects, he enjoys the outdoors, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with his family.

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Sabrina Lopez

Editor

Sabrina Lopez is a senior editor for Today’s Homeowner with over 7 years of writing and editing experience in digital media. She has reviewed content across categories that matter to homeowners, including HVAC services, home renovations, lawn and garden care, products for the home, and insurance services. When she’s not reviewing articles to make sure they are helpful, accessible, and engaging for homeowners like herself, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her family and their two parrots.

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