Wainscoting is an interior design feature that adds molding and trim to partial height wall panels on the lower half of the wall, leaving the top part of the wall to be finished with paint, wallpaper, or other materials. One of the least expensive of interior design upgrades, wall paneling is not purely decorative - wainscoting adds a very durable lower wall surface that conceals electrical wiring and helps organize the room’s features. For high traffic zones, wainscoting panels are typically more impact resistant and provide a great layer of protection for your walls. In bathrooms, tile wall wainscoting acts as a water splash that is much more durable than painted drywall.