24 Chair Rail Ideas That Will Add Style and Character to Any Room

Historically, chair rails were installed in homes to protect walls from the backs of moving chairs in small dining rooms. Because of this, you'll notice chair rails in older homes are almost always installed at around 30 inches from the floor, the height of a chair.

Today, chair rail molding is more of an aesthetic addition to homes, so the sky's the limit when it comes to how high you install them and what other design elements you add to it, including wainscoting and other wall features.

If you're thinking of installing chair rail molding or if you want to update your current one, check out our favorite chair rail ideas below.

Use It as a Decorative Ledge

Not only does a chair rail and wainscoting add a visually appealing element to a room, but it can be functional as well. This chair rail also acts as a ledge to house plants and other decor in this girl's bedroom.

Dress Up a Stairwell

Chair rails aren't just for dining and living rooms. A stairwell is oftentimes the first thing you see when you walk into a home, but it's often forgotten when it comes to style and design. This staircase gets an upgrade with chair rail molding that leads up the stairs, creating cool architectural detail.

Keep It Simple

For a crisp, refreshing look, incorporate chair molding that blends seamlessly with the wall. This brings an architectural element to the room while keeping with a clean, more modern design style.

Choose a Tile Chair Rail

If you want to add a chair rail to a bathroom, go with a material like ceramic tile or marble. Bathrooms have a lot of moisture, so incorporating these materials can help prevent damage to wood walls while adding a beautiful design element.

Make a Grand Entrance

If your entryway has a unique staircase, add an extra design element like a chair rail. This entryway's wall features crisp white molding that draws the eye up and makes the space feel more grand.

Make a Small Room Feel Bigger

This basement guest room and home office has a low ceiling, but the right design elements help open up the space. The wall treatment flows up to the ceiling to give the illusion of a taller room, while the gray wainscoting draws the eyes to the furniture and other visual appealing furnishings in the room.

Make Black and White Fun

This small bathroom brings a fun spin to black and white decor. The matching pattern on the walls, shower curtain and Roman shades pair beautifully with a simple white chair rail and wainscoting.

Create a Mudroom Nook

The chair rail in this nook not only brings a fresh, modern look to this corner of the home, but it also adds functionality. The coat hooks, shelf, and built-in bench make this previously unused area into an efficient space.

Try an Unconventional Color

If you have a narrow room in your home, make it feel larger by installing wainscoting higher on the all and in a refreshing, unexpected color. The chair rail features a ledge that displays one-of-a-kind artwork.

Don't Forget the Hallway

The hallway can be forgotten when it comes to designing it, but if you have a long hallway, make the most of it by adding a few simple features. This hallway has wainscoting, natural wood ceiling beams, and fun chandeliers that lead from the stairs to the bedrooms.

Dress Up a Staircase Wall

A wall adjacent to a staircase doesn't have to be plain. This wall features many design elements from the chair rail and wall paneling to the bold blue walls and cute dog artwork.

Go With Black

Chair rails and wainscoting are a great opportunity to play with color in your home. You don't have to commit to painting an entire room, but painting a chair rail black still adds that bold element.

Upgrade an Existing Chair Rail

If you aren't sure what to do with your existing chair rail, try a simple makeover with paint. This space features many elegant elements, from the gilded furnishings to the wallpaper mural. The blue-gray painted wainscoting adds an interesting design element and helps ground the room at the same time.

Pair With Patterns

Your home should reflect your style, especially if you lean towards more bold patterns and colors. This dining room features patterned wallpaper and matching drapes. The white chair rail and wainscoting panels help anchor the dining room and prevent it from feeling too overwhelming.

Contrast With the Chair Rail

Adding a chair rail with wainscoting to a wall is a great and fairly inexpensive way to add contrast to a room. This dining room features a deep green grasscloth wallpaper paired with crisp white chair rail molding and wainscoting that bring a touch of coastal style to the room.

Pull the Room Together

Crisp white accents are seen throughout this living room, from the fireplace to the coffered ceiling. The white chair rail and wainscoting pulls all these elements together and pairs well with a bold color palette.

Add It Around Windows

This light-filled sitting area features large windows and traditional wainscoting that adds a visually-appealing look to the room. Patterned shades and denim furniture bring a laidback look to the space that's welcoming and cozy.

Keep It Cohesive

The kitchen and dining room in this home are partially open to each other, so to help keep the style cohesive, the chair rail accents on the kitchen bar cabinets are carried through to the walls in the dining room.

Incorporate Scandinavian Style

Chair rail molding is oftentimes associated with traditional style, but it can work with any design style when paired with the right elements. This dining room proves that you can incorporate chair rail molding in a neutral tone and pair with furniture with simple lines for a more Scandinavian-style feel.

Use Glossy Paint

Not only is this chair rail bold in color, but it's finished in a glossy paint to help it stand out even more. The chair rail is paired with grasscloth wallpaper for added texture that doesn't overwhelm the room.

Bring a Polished Look

If you're wanting to make a room feel more complete, add traditional wainscoting with chair rail details. This neutral living room is pulled together with crisp white wainscoting that spans the entire room.

Go Higher

The dining room is a place you entertain and host large gatherings, so you want the room to feel elegant and regal. Installing the chair rail and pairing it with wainscoting panels higher on the wall gives the room a larger feel and a grand look.

Use It for Visual Balance

The wallpaper mural in this sitting room is definitely the focal point of the room. Soft gray chair rails and wainscoting installed at the same height as the sofa help balance the room.

Go With a Modern Farmhouse Look

This living room features natural wood molding and wall panels that perfectly match the crown molding above. A large piece of art and a couple of sconces dress up the wall feature and bring a more modern look to the room.

Types of Chair Rails

There are three common types of chair rail styles.

• Traditional chair rail: usually white with intricate molding and detailing

• Farmhouse chair rail: made with natural wood strips and panels

• Colonial chair rail: includes more curved detail; a good option for two-toned rooms

Read the original article on The Spruce.