Bead-board is nice but it can get to be too much and really doesn't belong in a "formal" space. Back halls, behind built-ins/bookshelf, mudrooms and some kitchens it's good but for the other rooms you should consider a recessed or rai$ed panels. It can be done just as easily and inexpensively.

I didn't mean beadboard anywhere else, just wanted to mentioned that we have it in the kitchen powder room. I do want paneled wainscoting in the other areas- question is how do you choose which areas to do it in?

"I love the look of paneled wainscoting,"

Missed that by a mile. Sorry.

It is a personal choice. Often times the difficulty becomes the choice of a wainscot or a full wall panel or wether you want it painted or a natural wood or stone finish. Typically in a den or a study I would use wood with at least one full wall paneled wall across from built-ins and coffered ceilings. Dining rooms I do the same except often times it is a softer wood with fabric panels on stretchers. Your decor and how you plan on furnishing the room should be part of the factor too. While you will get some who will disagree there is no such thing as an architecturally correct answer. Every room you've mentioned so far is a great candidate just make them a bit different from each other.

Thanks Jey. I hadn't thought about fabric panels- love that too!
Decisions, decisions, decisions!

My father put raised panel wainscoting and crown molding and trim in the dining room, foyer, living room, tv room, and then after the kitchen he said never again. The angles were trickier, positioning access was trickier, and it was just harder to get it right. He would say only do square rooms.

My father put raised panel wainscoting and crown molding and trim in the dining room, foyer, living room, tv room, and then after the kitchen he said never again. The angles were trickier, positioning access was trickier, and it was just harder to get it right. He would say only do square rooms.

You dad sure wouldn't like me around. He'd have buried me in the garden for sure. I specify no face nailing too. Especially if it's natural finish..

A good rule of thumb I think is, if you get to a point where you are asking yourself, "is this too much"? It's probably good to at least stop for a little bit and reassess! It's our subconcious telling you to stop.

It's all about personal preference.