Installing a chair rail in your bedroom can create a traditional or sophisticated look.
Chair rails -- a piece of molding that goes around a room midway up a wall -- were traditionally installed to prevent chairs from marking or damaging the walls, so they were installed at the height of the chair backs. They are currently used for more decorative purposes and can add an element of drama or elegance, or can break up loud colors or busy patterns. The best height to install your bedroom chair rail will mostly depend on your decorating style.
Chair Height
Use the old-fashioned method of determining how high to install your chair rail if you plan to include a traditional chair in your bedroom, which would be at the height of the back of your chair. Traditional chairs are typically 36 to 40 inches high. Alternatively, use another piece of furniture as your guide if you want the chair rail to be flush with your dresser, nightstands or details on your headboard. It's OK to use the standard chair heights as your guide even if you don't plan on including a chair in the room.
This height also allows you to add other design elements, such as picture frame or shadow box moldings that match the chair rail. The railing will likely disappear behind your headboard, chest or other tall furniture.
One-Third
Another common method of determining the best height for your bedroom chair rail is to install the molding one-third of the way up your wall. For example, if your wall is 96 inches high, you'd install the chair rail 32 inches above the floor. Use the common chair height if you have large, over-sized bedroom furniture that will dwarf the railing or if it looks too low to you. Draw a line on one wall with a pencil if you want a better idea of how this would break up the wall.
Lower chair rails allow you to play with colors and patterns that you might not be comfortable with on the entire wall. For example, add a bright turquoise color on the lower portion of the wall with a cream-colored paint on the top. Add turquoise, white and black circles or stripes if you want all the colors to be connected.
Two-Thirds
Installing the chair rail two-thirds of the way up the wall is another common method. Having the chair rail higher on the wall likely means it won't be hidden behind your headboard or chest, allowing you to play it up a little more.
Create drama with the high chair rail by painting the top portion of the walls a bright color while the lower portion is painted a mellow color or includes a pattern, such as stripes, damask or a floral pattern.
Variations
Most molding can be substituted for traditional chair rails if you can't find an actual chair rail that you like. It typically curves out in the center, which is the part that provides a buffer between the wall and furniture. Paint a stripe around the room or install a paper wallpaper border if you want the look of a chair rail with flush walls.
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