5 Paint Ideas for Chair Rails That Will Take This Feature From Ordinary to Inspiring
Want to elevate the look of your chair rails? These clever paint ideas will help you enhance this decorative element
Chair rails or dado rails are moldings that run horizontally along the walls. While centuries ago these were designed as a functional element to protect walls from potential damage by chairs, today these tend to be purely decorative additions, used to give depth and character to a space. But when painted, or used in conjunction with other wall treatments, these can add endless charm and appeal to homes.
We found some of the best paint ideas for walls that include chair rails to inspire you to either install your own, or upgrade the ones you already have.
1. Paint the chair rail a stand out tone
For a statement look, consider painting the chair rail a bold color, while leaving the walls neutral. This will create a major moment as otherwise, this simple architectural trim would have been missed. Plus, many colors go with blue, which means your interior won't feel restricted.
'The elegant blue of the chair rails wraps around the whole Parlor level holding together the colorful accents and toning down the light to guarantee a feeling of calmness,' says Giorgia Cedro, founder of Olbos Studio. 'It injects a palette in the dining space where the color tones of the textiles and the geometries of the chandelier are in dialogue with the original painting by the client, Jenny Chow, entitled Party of Six.'
2. Pair a painted chair rail with wallpaper
Make any room feel like its own unique space with the help of ornamental molding and patterned wallpaper. To balance the busy living room wallpaper pattern, the chair rail and door frames flaunt a cool shade of grey.
'Incorporating a chair rail can be a gorgeous way to add layers, texture, and color into a room,' says Marie Flanigan, founder of Marie Flanigan Interiors. 'For this space, it was imperative to balance the landscape with additional visual interest so that the room felt light and open despite using lots of color saturation throughout. When thoughtfully painted to complement the hues within the landscape, the chair rail becomes a seamless bridge between the artistry on the walls and the surrounding decor.'
'This intentional pairing not only frames the scenic beauty but also introduces a tailored element, inviting a sense of curated elegance into the room,' says Marie.
3. Consider a two-tone effect
If your room still feels too one-dimensional even with the inclusion of chair rails, consider bringing in two tones for creating a layered, cozy look in the room. This paint technique for walls and panelling will create a forever decorated look in your home.
'A good way to create a two-tone effect is by keeping to one main bold color and using another lighter one to keep the environment uncluttered, increasing the calming mood,' says Rachel Brimacombe of MW Architects.
4. Create a color block effect
Color blocking walls and panelling across rooms will create interesting sightlines, and the entire home's scheme will feel fluid yet dramatic.
'We like most hues of green and sometimes, a deep chocolate when creating a palette,' says Melissa Lee, founder & principal at Bespoke Only. 'The traditional blue and cream combo in this colonial home mixed with a touch of Nordic influence results in a spectrum of subdued, hazy hues that reflect softly by the panoramic natural exposure.'
5. Blend it with the walls for a seamless look
And finally, for a seamless, calming look, consider painting the chair rails the same tone as the walls. This will give the room a neat and orderly look, and make it appear larger. Consider this look for hallway, study, or staircase walls.
'The main reason we elected to add wall paneling to this stairwell was to break up the height of the two-storey walls,' says Brad Ramsey, founder and principal designer of Brad Ramsey Interiors. 'By taking the panels up to the height of the chair rail in the upstairs hallway, we were able to divide the large wall to give it more visual appeal. In addition, we utilized the panel design to create a hidden door for the coat closet under the stairs. We maintained the character of the entry without having a door breaking up the beauty of the space. A win-win.'
3 trending paint colors for chair rails
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari started her career at The Address (The Times of India), a tabloid on interiors and art. She wrote profiles of Indian artists, designers, and architects, and covered inspiring houses and commercial properties. After four years, she moved to ELLE DECOR as a senior features writer, where she contributed to the magazine and website, and also worked alongside the events team on India Design ID — the brand’s 10-day, annual design show. She wrote across topics: from designer interviews, and house tours, to new product launches, shopping pages, and reviews. After three years, she was hired as the senior editor at Houzz. The website content focused on practical advice on decorating the home and making design feel more approachable. She created fresh series on budget buys, design hacks, and DIYs, all backed with expert advice. Equipped with sizable knowledge of the industry and with a good network, she moved to Architectural Digest (Conde Nast) as the digital editor. The publication's focus was on high-end design, and her content highlighted A-listers, starchitects, and high-concept products, all customized for an audience that loves and invests in luxury. After a two year stint, she moved to the UK, and was hired at Livingetc. Currently, as the design editor, her focus is on kitchens and bathrooms and she covers exciting before/after projects, writes expert pieces on decor, color, and occasionally reviews exciting travel destinations.
-
How to Make Dying Succulents Thrive Again — 7 Expert Ways to Rescue Your Plants
Whether they're overwatered, under-watered or otherwise unwell, succulents can recover with these simple steps
By Jacky Parker Published
-
What Color Countertop is Best for a Small Kitchen? Experts Recommend These 5 Space-Busting Tones
Your countertop color and material palette is an important decision in any kitchen, but particularly in a small one — here's what the experts say
By Aditi Sharma Maheshwari Published