Everyday Home Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 96

Wall Enhancements

There are a million and one ways to enhance the walls in your home , and that may be the very reason why homeowners tend to choose a new coat of paint over anything else . The possibilities are endless , and the task of creating a texture wall or an enhanced wall can be daunting . These are the top three alternatives to plain paint , and they won ’ t cost you a fortune to try out .

WAINSCOTING

Wainscoting can be found in thousands of home across the country , from highend mansions , to quaint bungalows . Wainscoting first became popular in 16th century England , where it served as a decorative addition to the interior of homes , but also functioned as extra insulation on the lower walls . The method of installing wainscoting was introduced to minimize the coldness created by the common inner stone walls . The usefulness of wainscoting came before its wall-enhancing properties .
There are three main types of wainscoting : flat panel , raised panel , and beadboard . The style of your home and the level of formality you wish to express will be the deciding factors when choosing a type of wainscoting . Flat panel is a simple , clean look that is seen in craftsman-style homes . Beadboard is a bit more intricate , and is often found in country homes or cottages . Raised panel wainscoting is the most formal , and is found in higher-end homes . If you ’ re looking to take a room from common to upscale , go for raised panel . If a simple enhancement is more your style , then try flat panel .
You can create your wainscoting look completely by hand , or you can purchase ready-made panels and install them yourself . Installing the ready-mades is an easy job that virtually any DIYer can do , but creating your own panels will require a lot of measuring and time , as well as the use of power tools , like a nail gun and a compound miter saw . If you ’ re a beginner DIYer , you ’ ll want to consider the readymade panels .
These panels can be found at your local hardware store , or you can order them ahead of time . Many companies offer a wide variety of patterns and styles to choose from , so if a more intricate design is what you ’ re looking for , you can find that one-of-a-kind pattern and transform your home for a fraction of what it would cost to hire a professional .
You may still need to cut a panel to size for a corner fit , depending on the measurements you take for the room you ’ re installing it in . Be sure to measure a level line at a ½ inch above the actual molding from the top of your panels to ensure coverage of any uneven flooring . Once you ’ ve got your measurements and you ’ re ready to begin the installation , follow the instructions that come with the kit , and work your way around the room from left to right .