Basic
$6.23 – $19 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 New Orleans, Louisiana typically costs $7.32 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 New Orleans are 9.0% lower than the national average for faux wainscoting.
National average: $8 – $25 per linear ft
$6.23 – $19 per linear ft
Simple picture-frame boxes of small flat molding below a stock chair rail, caulked and painted with the wall
$7.32 – $23 per linear ft
Picture-frame boxes of profiled panel molding under a classic chair rail, evenly spaced, caulked, painted semi-gloss
$9.16 – $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 | $3.38 – $11 | linear ft |
| Labor | labor | $2.44 – $7.61 | linear ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $0.90 – $2.82 | linear ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0.60 – $1.88 | 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.
New Orleans style comes from Creole cottages, shotguns and French Quarter townhouses: high ceilings, tall windows, plaster walls, dark wood, transoms and a layered, slightly bohemian mix of old furniture and art. Color is saturated and the palette is warm.
Photos of the styles New Orleans 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 New Orleans run proportionally higher than labor, which may favor labor-intensive approaches.
Connect with local faux wainscoting contractors in New Orleans for personalized quotes based on your specific project.