Although you can find beaded board in individual boards, installation is less time-consuming and more affordable when you use panels. These panels, commonly available in lightweight 4x8-foot sheets for about $20 each, are indistinguishable from the sawn-wood beaded board.

When panels are used to form wainscoting, you can finish off the top edge with a chair-rail molding. Or fabricate a narrow shelf to finish the top edge, and use the ledge for storing toiletries and displaying treasures.