Wainscoting Styles for Your Staircase

Staircase wainscoting adds depth, character and value, and with the right style and profiles, it ties your whole interior together. Below are five on‑trend styles – Hamptons, French, Contemporary, Classic/Neoclassic and Farmhouse – followed by clear step‑by‑step instructions to help you design and install staircase wainscoting like a pro. Product examples and case studies are included for inspiration.

At a glance: the most popular staircase wainscoting looks

• Hamptons: crisp profiles, painted finishes, elevated yet relaxed
• French Provincial: elegant detailing, balanced proportions
• Contemporary: clean lines, texture and rhythm
• Classic/Neoclassic: symmetrical paneling, refined trims
• Farmhouse: warm, timeless charm with practical detailing

French Provincial Staircase Wainscoting

Add quiet luxury with square frame panels and a refined chair rail. In this project, Intrim’s CR22 chair rail and IN09 inlay moulds achieve a beautifully balanced result. Explore the full project here.

Contemporary Staircase Wainscoting

Prefer a modern edge? Half-round mouldings create a tactile, raised panel effect that delivers texture and depth along the stair run. This project used Intrim’s HR20 half round mouldings to create a contemporary wainscoting look. Learn more about this project here.

Hamptons Staircase Wainscoting

For a fresh take on Hamptons style wainscoting, opt for a crisp white palette and clean, raised-panel half-height wainscoting. In this project, Intrim’s IN25 inlay moulds and CR05A/B chair rail were used to create sleek, balanced panels that feel both classic and contemporary. This approach delivers the signature Hamptons look – elegant and timeless – while keeping the lines sharp and modern. See the full transformation here.

Classic/Neoclassic Staircase Wainscoting

For a grand entry, choose symmetrical frame-and-panel designs with refined trims. This full height application used Intrim’s CR95 chair rail and IN09 inlay moulds – ideal for elegant stairwells and gallery landings. View the complete project here.

Farmhouse Staircase Wainscoting

For a fresh farmhouse look, use board-and-batten wainscoting for a more modern take. In this project, Intrim’s WB01 wall battens have been used in a square-grid pattern to create clean lines and texture in this grand entrance way, as well as carried throughout the home for feature walls and hallway runs. Explore the full project here.

How to Design & Install Staircase Wainscoting (Step-by-Step)

Tools & Materials

Tape, level, stud finder, sliding bevel, drop saw, nail gun/adhesive, filler, caulk, primer/paint, and your chosen chair rail, inlay moulds and skirting.

Step 1: Plan your layout

Lightly pencil your chair rail height and panel grid across the stair and landing walls. This helps you validate spacing and visual balance before cutting.

Step 2: Keep rails parallel to the stair

Measure equal distances from the top of the stair stringer so the chair rail and the top/bottom inlay rails run perfectly parallel to the stair angle.

Step 3: Keep uprights plumb

Make vertical inlay uprights plumb (true vertical). Corners won’t be 45°—bisect each angle and transfer it with a sliding bevel before cutting.

Step 4: Dry-fit, then fix and finish

Use your layout marks to confirm all intersecting joints and angles, then fix profiles, fill, sand, and paint. For more guidance, see Intrim’s Wainscoting page.