The walls, their condition and overall appearance, really make or break a design. One way to take your walls from drab to fab is through the use of wainscoting. Available in several different styles, wainscoting or paneling as it is sometimes referred to, can add refinement, architectural interest, texture, style and depending on your finish, warmth to a room.
Here is an overview of a few of the most common styles. 
Raised Panel:
Raised panel wainscotting features center panels that are raised giving the appearance of beveled edging. The overall style is formal and is commonly seen in colonial homes. Raised panel wainscoting can be found in painted MDF or solid wood. Quartersaw wood is typically used for solid wood applications and popular wood types include cherry and oak.
Recessed Panels:
Also called flat paneled, recessed paneled wood features flat panels of wood set behind raised moulding know as styles and rails. Edges are not beveled or turned but straight, flat and right angled. Recessed panels are typical of shaker, mission and craftsman style homes. However, although they are pretty informal they can accommodate a wide range of design styles depending on their wood species, finish and application. These panels come available in MDF or solid wood.
Beadboard:
Beadboard is the least formal of the of the three and is sometimes known as beaded panel. The style consists of thin strips of wood fit together, traditionally by tongue in grove. Between each strip is a bead of wood. The beads can vary in size and shape as can the widths of the wood creating different effects. Today, because of its popularity, beadboard can be purchased in sheets that resemble tongue and groove. The style of beadboard is typically county, cottage, cape cod, seaside retreat, hamptons or farm house or arts and craft.
