Installing a chair rail will create a dramatic addition to any room. A chair rail is basically a piece of molding that runs along the middle of your room’s perimeter. Not only does a chair rail protect your walls from furniture, but it can be a creative addition to your interior design, as well.

Many people like to dress the walls above and below the chair rail differently. For example, you may wish to paint the sections of the wall different colors or wallpaper one section and paint the other, as shown above. You may also paint or stain the chair rail the same color or a different color as the background wall - it truly is versatile!

Traditionally installed to protect walls from chairs as they were moved away from the table, chair rails also provide both a decorative finish and a means to separate two different colors or finishes on a wall.

Generally installed at around 36 inches high, chair rail is very simple to install and can easily be handled by most homeowners. The material used is a strip of molding available at any home center. Simply match the style with that of either your crown molding or the overall style of your room.