6 Chair Rail Moulding Ideas to Transform Your Interior Design

Chair rail moulding is one of the most often-overlooked elements in a room, but it can make a big difference in its style.

Chair rails (or dado rails) are strips of moulding that are roughly two or three feet above the floor. While it was initially used for protecting walls from the backs of chairs, it’s since become a versatile design feature that can really tie the room together.

Here are seven ways you can get creative with your chair rail moulding to elevate any room.

1. The Two-Tone Wall Treatment

If the wall is all one color but interrupted by a strip of moulding partway up, it can tend to look a bit odd, and the chair rail can look very out of place. But since chair rail moulding essentially splits a wall in two, you can create a sharp two-tone look by painting the top and bottom of the walls in different colors. This is a great way to add depth and interest to a room and keeps the rail from sticking out like a sore thumb.

A more modern style of moulding is perfect for this look, especially if you want to use a darker color on the lower half. This can help draw the eye upward and even make your ceilings look higher!

Just make sure you pick complementary colors, or the entire composition can look rather odd and tacky.

2. The Textured Panel Treatment

For an even more dramatic effect, you can install textured wall panels below the chair rail. You can achieve this look with whatever material you like, but make sure the texture goes well with your rail. A good example would be using wood moulding with reclaimed wood panels for a more rustic vibe.

If you want a more cohesive look, you can paint the panels and your chair rail moulding to match. This helps the focus be on the texture rather than solely on the color.

3. The Wallpaper Treatment

Wallpaper paper can be expensive, and it doesn’t take much to overwhelm a room. But what if you were to only wallpaper half your walls?

Applying wallpaper to just the top portion of your walls, above the chair rail, gives you a little more flexibility to decorate with a bold pattern that reflects your personal style without it being too much. The moulding acts as a natural break, and you can still put something a bit more traditional below it.

If you’re feeling really bold, you can experiment with two different wallpapers on the top and bottom. If you go this route, you may want to invest in simplistic moulding to offset some of the haphazard vibes. On the other hand, maybe leaning into the chaos with a unique chair rail is precisely the look you’re after.

4. Lighting That Highlights Chair Rail Moulding

If you don’t want to commit to a paint job or a layer of wallpaper, there are still some ways you can add intrigue to your wall. For example, you might try placing LED strips along the bottom of the chair rail to accent the walls with a focused glow that you just won’t get with overhead or lamp lighting.

This technique is particularly elegant in dining rooms and living spaces, transforming the environment and making it luxurious and cozy. It can depend on the color of your wall, but warm white LED lights are typically the most inviting. You might also get RGB lights if your taste is so inclined — they can add a fun look to the room, and they can shine white with the right setting. Depending on the model of light, you can even use a dimmer switch to create some quick mood lighting.

If you’re shopping for new moulding that best benefits from a lighting strip, consider something with an intricate design — this can create an interesting, dramatic shadow.

5. From Moulding to Gallery Wall

A chair rail moulding can be an excellent foundation for a gallery wall. In this low-effort but high-impact approach, you can hang framed artwork or photography above the moulding to create an eye-catching display. This is perfect for hallways or living rooms where you want to showcase your personal style to guests.

The chair rail creates a natural, defined space for the mini gallery. However, it’s essential to ensure your moulding doesn’t distract or compete with the artwork. Modest wood chair rails are often best for this because it’s classic and timeless, making it a match for all kinds of art. You might also try various types of frames if you want a more eclectic look, though this is best done with more minimalist or sleek moulding options.

6. Play With Scale

What if you want your moulding to be the star of the show? For a unique interior design, you can use different sizes or designs depending on your needs and the specific vibe of a room. This is an advanced approach that can quickly look tacky if it’s done haphazardly, but when done right, your living space will have a distinct, refined style.

A good example would be using narrower chair rails in smaller rooms so it doesn’t overwhelm the space. In rooms with high ceilings, you might prefer to use something wider to help fill the empty vertical space. Ornate mouldings make a bold statement and make an otherwise plain room look elegant. Slim, minimalist moulding adds a touch of modern style while giving other elements an opportunity to shine.

Again, take care with this approach and consider getting an outside opinion. If you put in the work to execute this strategy thoughtfully, it’ll pay off.

Chair Rail Moulding to Inspire Your Next Interior Design Project

Looking for beautiful, high-quality moulding for your living space? Mouldings One offers gorgeous options suitable for any style, room, and function. Browse through our catalog today, or reach out to our customer service team for more information about our products.