Few design elements are as versatile as beadboard. Beadboard originated in England four centuries ago with the practical purpose of keeping heat inside the house, and outside dampness at bay. It is said that early English settlers brought the design to the U.S. to remind them of the “history and architectural character” of the homes they left behind. Both sophisticated and beachy, beadboard adds architectural character, grace, and charm to your home as a featured presence or a seaside accent.
Beadboard was originally made of evenly spaced, wooden tongue and groove planks that interlocked with ridges or “beads” between each one. In this style of wainscoting, the panels were lined up vertically on an interior wall and typically covered the lower 3 to 4 feet, the same height as most chair backs (hence nicknamed a “chair rail”). Over time, beadboard evolved into a decorative treatment used throughout the home. In the 1800s, kitchen cupboards often used beadboard as a backdrop for special china or keepsakes displayed inside.
A beach bathroom with pale blue beadboard walls and a white ceiling, a tub, a floating vanity and a large mirror.
A beautiful farmhouse mudroom with beadboard on the walls, a matching bench and a door, some baskets and pillows.
A black bathroom clad with beadboard, with a stained vanity, white appliances and a mirror plus gold sconces.
A boho bedroom with a black statement wall done with beadboard, wooden items, comfy layered textiles and greenery.
A boho dining room with green beadboard on the walls, a stained table and benches, a woven pendant lamp and greenery.
A boho mudroom with midnight blue beadboard, a corner bench, baskets and pillows plus a mirror and wall sconces.
A chic and cute bathroom with white beadboard, a pink vanity, a round mirror, potted greenery and sconces is ethereal.
A chic bathroom inspried by vintage, with grey beadboard, a black tub, a vintage sink and a large window with shades.
A chic beach bathroom done with a white beadboard wall, hex tiles, a wicker lamp and a wooden vanity plus touches of black.
A chic bedroom with green beadboard, a black nightstand and sconce, a neutral artwork and some accessories.
A chic boho bathroom with blue beadboard, a large vanity and a mirror wall, potted plants and layered rugs.
A chic coastal bedroom with a white beadboard wall, wooden furniture, potted plants and greenery, a round mirror and comfy textiles.
A chic vintage-inspired bedroom with white and navy beadboard fully covering the wall, a black forged bed and a wooden nightstand.
Today, beadboard is available in varying profiles and panel widths and can be purchased in large, carefully milled sheets. Because humidity is hard on wood, you will often see beadboard of MDF, which comes in ready-to paint sheets, generally 4 feet high by 8 feet wide. MDF takes paint very well, does not expand or contract, and is a rugged as oak.
A contrasting bedroom with black walls, white beadboard, an upholstered bed, wooden and wicker touches and branches.
A cool bathroom with blue beadboard walls and a white beadboard ceiling, a white vanity, a mirror in a stained frame.
A countryside living room clad with yellow beadboard and with white beadboard on the cieling, a white sofa and printed pillows.
A cozy window nook with a black beadboard wall, a windowsill daybed and a large window plus potted plants.
A delicate farmhouse bathroom with grey beadboard on the walls, a stained vanity, a mirror and sconces is chic.
A farmhouse bathroom with black beadboard, vintage furniture, a free-standing sink and some blooms and greenery.
A farmhouse powder room clad with dark green beadboard, a stained vanity, a white countertop, gold touches.
A laundry room clad with green beadboard, with a green tile floor, open shelves and chic vintage chandeliers.
A lovely bedroom with a midnight blue beadboard accent wall, a white bed with black and white bedding, a stained nightstand.
A modern farmhouse bathroom with light green beadboard, a stained vanity, a black hex tile floor and a bold rug.
A modern farmhouse bedroom with a black beadboard wall, light stained furniture, much natural light and layered rugs.
A modern farmhouse neutral bedroom clad with neutral beadboard, with a vintage stained bed and printed bedding.
A moody vintage-inspired bathroom with hunter green walls and beadboard, a black tub, a tile floor and a free-standing sink plus touches of brass.
A neutral attic bedroom with a grey beadboard ceiling and walls, a vintage bed with printed bedding, some artwork.
A neutral bedroom done with off-white beadboard, a vintage makeup table and a stool, a mirror in a matching frame.
Beadboard is widely used in home decor: it can be applied to the walls in any room, though more often you will see it in bedrooms, bathrooms and mudrooms; it can be applied to the ceiling, backsplash or kitchen facades. Beadboard can be placed horizontally or vertically on the walls, and you may paint it any color you like. Get inspired by the ideas in this roundup and make your home more elegant with beadboard!
A neutral bedroom with beadboard on the walls, a neutral bed with neutral bedding, a vintage nightstand and a brass sconce.
A neutral bedroom with neutral beadboard, a wooden desk and chair, some vintage touches here and there.
A neutral entryway with off-white beadboard on the walls, a large gallery wall everywhere, a basket and some lamps.
A neutral mudroom clad with beadboard, with a built-in bench, a striped rug and potted blooms.
A neutral rustic bathroom clad with beadboard, with a matching double vanity, a couple of arched mirrors and a printed curtain.
A Scandinavian sunroom clad with mint blue beadboard, with a white bench and bold textiles, potted blooms.
A Scandinavian sunroom clad with white beadboard, with a built-in bench and pastel textiles, blue tables and blooms.
A small cute bathroom with grey beadboard, a black tile shower space, some wood tiles and potted greenery.
A small entryway clad with light blue beadboard, with some decor, a wooden table and a woven rug.
A small navy home office nook clad with beadboard, with shelves, a desk, a woven chair and some potted plants.
A stylish entryway with grey beadboard on the walls, a shabby chic bench, a basket, some decor and greenery.
A stylish entryway with midnight blue beadboard, a navy bench, printed tiles on the floor and a bright printed ottoman.
A stylish mudroom with a grey beadboard storage unit, baskets and a bold rug looks nice and cool.
A vintage cottage kitchen with white beadboard walls, navy cabinets and a butcherblock countertop, a printed rug.
A vintage dining room with a black beadboard wall, black pendant lamps, a wooden table and white chairs looks chic.
A vintage-inspired bathroom done with wallpaper and black beadboard, a black tub, vintage books and artworks.
A welcoming bedroom with green beadboard walls, a bed with printed bedding, a small gallery wall and woven lamps.
An attic living room with green beadboard on the walls, an upholstered bench, bright pillows, a hearth and a basket.
An eclectic bathroom clad with white beadboard, with a navy tub, a statement mirror, a crystal chandelier and a gallery wall.