Basic
$6.31 – $20 per linear ft
Simple picture-frame boxes of small flat molding below a stock chair rail, caulked and painted with the wall

Photo: The Finishing Company Richmond Va · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Install applied picture-frame or box molding with a chair/cap rail on existing drywall to mimic wainscoting, caulked and painted.
Faux Wainscoting in Memphis, Tennessee typically costs $7.43 to $23 per linear ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Prices in Memphis are 8.0% lower than the national average for faux wainscoting.
National average: $8 – $25 per linear ft
$6.31 – $20 per linear ft
Simple picture-frame boxes of small flat molding below a stock chair rail, caulked and painted with the wall
$7.43 – $23 per linear ft
Picture-frame boxes of profiled panel molding under a classic chair rail, evenly spaced, caulked, painted semi-gloss
$9.29 – $29 per linear ft
Wider profiled panel molding in evenly sized frames under a built-up cap rail, nail holes filled, caulked and painted semi-gloss
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $3.46 – $11 | linear ft |
| Labor | labor | $2.44 – $7.61 | linear ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $0.92 – $2.88 | linear ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0.61 – $1.92 | linear ft |
Painted applied-molding panels forming faux wainscoting beside a staircase
Photo: The Finishing Company Richmond Va from Richmond,Virginia, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisWhite chair rail and painted lower wall panel in a dining room with wood floor
Photo: emily @ go haus go · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisSee how faux wainscoting looks in each style, with photos of real projects by working designers.
Memphis interiors favor Southern traditional with a generous, layered feel: antiques, warm wood, patterned fabric and a mix of periods. Renovations in historic neighbourhoods keep the original character.
Photos of the styles Memphis draws from.
Traditional living room
Photo: Emora Design Studio · Profile
Traditional interior
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Angela Rennie Design · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional kitchen
Photo: Dogwood Proper · Profile
Traditional kitchen
Traditional living room
Photo: 615interiors · Profile
Traditional living room
Photo: Alexandra Peck Design · Profile
Traditional living room
Photo: Alison Giese Interiors · Profile
Material costs in Memphis run proportionally higher than labor, which may favor labor-intensive approaches.
Connect with local faux wainscoting contractors in Memphis for personalized quotes based on your specific project.