Table of Contents
There are some 18th-century pattern books that show the chair rail at 24 in. off the floor. In fact, in rooms with 9-ft. to 10-ft. ceilings, this height is actually most appropriate for chair rail, and best falls within the rules of classical architecture (see photo, right).
How high should my chair rail be?
As a general rule of thumb, the best height for most walls sits around one-third the distance up the wall from the floor. So, in an eight-foot-tall room, you’d want to hang your chair rail moulding at around 32 inches from the ground. Other experts say that around 25% of the wall’s height is a better placement.
How high do you put chair rail on a wall?
Correct Height for Chair Rail Molding For a standard 8-foot ceiling, they should be installed about 32 inches from the floor. Hull cautions that most people install chair rails too high on their walls. “About 28 to 32 inches is an optimum range for chair rail height,” says Hull. “Lower is always better than higher.
Is chair rail out of style 2020?
Chair rails are still used today to create a more formal and traditional design. If that’s the look your sister wants, chair rails would be a good choice.
How do you measure for a chair rail?
To determine the height of the chair rail, measure the height of the ceiling and divide it by three. The general rule is that the chair rail should be about 1/3 of the way up from the floor (between 32″ and 36″ for an 8′ ceiling). You can also slide a chair up to the wall and mark where it would hit the wall.
Does chair rail add value?
Value! Of all the home improvements you can make, chair rail is one of the least demanding in terms of cost and labor. Studies have shown that installing moldings (like crown or chair rail) can have a positive impact on the selling price of a home.
What rooms should have chair rail?
If you imagine the wall height divided vertically into three sections, the chair rail is best placed at the line between the bottom and middle thirds of the wall. For example, in a 10-foot-high room (120 inches), the chair rail can be placed 40 inches above the floor.
Which side of chair rail goes up?
There is no right or wrong orientation for a chair rail unless the shape is very obviously intended to have a shelf along the top. It’s a design feature that you can fit to express your own likes and room design.
Can you put chair rail on only one wall?
A chair rail, also known as a dado rail, is a horizontal piece of trim that usually runs the perimeter of a room approx 36″ from the floor, but can also be awkwardly placed on a single wall (popular in the ’90s).
Does chair rail have to match baseboards?
Like many creative pursuits, interior design has guidelines, but no hard and fast rules. The typical trend is to match your chair rail and baseboard colors, but playing with this trend the right way can also make a dramatic visual statement.
Does the darker color go above or below the chair rail?
“A lighter wall color is better below the chair rail if the furniture is dark. If the furniture is lighter in value, the wall color below the chair rail can be darker.”.
What color should chair rail be?
It is best to paint the lighter or warmer color on the upper portion of the wall to create a more open feel to the room. The chair rail and other trim should be painted in a neutral or light complementary color.
Do you wallpaper above or below a chair rail?
WALLPAPER IDEAS Install a chair rail to divide the walls of a large room horizontally, then wallpaper only above or below this chair rail and paint the remainder.
How high should a chair rail be in a bathroom?
Determine the Height Chair rail can be placed anywhere from 30 to 36 inches up from the floor.
When should I use chair rail?
Chair rail creates a decorative element in a room, but it also acts as a protective barrier from wear and tear in high traffic areas or spaces where furniture is moved around often. This trim is commonly used in dining rooms, breakfast nooks, living rooms and foyers.
What can I use instead of a chair rail?
Chair Rail Alternatives Ribbon. Use ribbon as a chair rail alternative by adhering it with a thin coating of wallpaper glue. Paint Shades and Patterns. Fabric. Vinyl Appliqués. Decorative Buttons.
Can you put a chair rail in a bedroom?
Simply install a chair rail in the bedroom and you’re on your way. Bedroom chair rail molding is inexpensive and easy to install, and provides an opportunity to introduce a second paint color, wallpaper, or beadboard above or below the molding, as these bedroom chair rail ideas demonstrate beautifully.
What is the difference between wainscoting and chair rail?
Wainscoting is usually a complete piece of paneling (usually wood). Panel molding reaches above the chair rail (typical chair rail height is approximately 32″ above the floor) and sometimes covers the entire wall.
How is chair rail installed?
As a rule, chair rail should be applied one-third of the way up the wall from the floor. For a room with an 8-foot ceiling, installing the chair rail at around 32 inches is a safe bet. When deciding how much to buy, make allowances for miter cuts (and mistakes) by adding about one foot to the length of each wall.
Do you have to cope chair rail?
Chair rail is a type of molding. When two pieces of chair rail molding meet at 90-degree angles, it’s customary to cope one of them. Coping is precisely cutting one piece of molding along its profile to provide a clean, over another piece of molding at a corner.
Do you caulk chair rail?
As with any woodwork, chair rails require a certain amount of maintenance. Most moldings are attached using nothing but nails and over time can become loose. Using caulk to seal the seams of chair rails can give them just the extra bit of flex they need to maintain their position for years to come.
How much does it cost to have chair rail installed?
The national average materials cost to install chair rail molding is $1.29 per linear foot, with a range between $1.03 to $1.55. The total price for labor and materials per linear foot is $6.81, coming in between $5.32 to $8.29. A typical 125 linear foot project costs $850.71, with a range of $665.48 to $1,035.95.
Does a dado rail make a room look bigger or smaller?
A simple solution, which works very effectively, is simply to paint the dado or picture rail in the same paint as the wall, so it melts into the background, and a vertically striped wallpaper below a dado will make the area seem ‘taller’ than it is.
How do you install a chair rail without a nail gun?
How To Install Chair Rail Without A Nail Gun: 5 Easy Steps Step #1. Measure your space. Step #2. Cut the molding. Step #3. Drill into the studs of your wall. Step #4. Fasten your molding. Step #5. Do the finishing touches.
