Portraits hang on dark blue dining room walls with white wainscoting. A black wagon wheel chandelier is installed over books resting on a wooden table. Cushioned beige dining room chairs sit on a grey rug on the warm wood floor.
38 Stunning Chair Rail Ideas for a Beautiful Farmhouse Style
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Published: December 11, 2022
Updated: November 15, 2023
You’ve seen molding at the top and bottom of rooms where the wall meets the ceiling or the floor. But have you considered adding chair rail molding to your home? This molding runs along a wall at a similar height to the top of a chair.
The idea of a chair rail trim is to divide a room into aesthetically pleasing sections and was developed and used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Eventually, wainscoting was added to the chair rail for additional warmth.
You can add chair rail molding to a room in several ways. One beautiful way is to add white molding to a white wall. The subtle change adds a sophisticated texture to a room. Another possibility is to add white molding to a black wall for a dramatic effect.
So grab a cup of your favorite drink and spend a few minutes browsing through this carefully curated gallery of chair rail ideas.
02 of Two Windows on a Bathroom Wall With White Wainscoting
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Interior designer Huong Vu suggests considering wainscoting as an economical yet chic alternative to traditional bathroom tiling. “Opt for moisture-resistant materials like sealed and painted high-density MDF, vinyl, or PVC for durability in high-moisture environments,” advises Vu. This is a practical solution that doesn’t compromise on style, and it’s a perfect choice for bathrooms where moisture and humidity are constant factors.
A prime example of this approach is seen in a bathroom featuring two large windows and white wainscoting. The room is bathed in natural light, highlighting the off-white walls and the white freestanding tub. The wainscoting, coupled with the off-white walls, creates a layered effect that maintains simplicity while adding depth to the space.
Incorporating Vu’s advice, the use of wainscoting in this setting not only serves as a stylish backdrop but also as a cost-effective and durable solution for high-moisture environments. This idea is a great illustration of how simplicity can be paired with functionality to create a stunning farmhouse style bathroom.
03 of Hats on a Light Gray Wall With White Wainscoting
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Beige, white, and gray hats hang on a light gray bedroom wall with white wainscoting. Gray pillows lean against the large wood headboard, while a large plant in a wicker basket sits on a light grey rug on the off-white carpet.
04 of Light Grey Walls and a White Chair Rail Trim
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A silver-framed mirror is placed on a wooden console table in a long hallway with light grey walls and a white chair rail trim. Black sconces hang along the wall, while a long brown rug is laid on the light wood floor.
05 of Black China Cabinet and White Chair Rail Molding
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A black pendant light hangs in a dining room with light gray walls and white chair rail molding. A black china cabinet and a tall tree are placed in opposite corners, while a wooden bowl sits on a wooden table. Black chairs are placed on the beige rug on the light wood floor.
06 of White Wainscoting and an Arched Doorway
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An ornate white chandelier hangs over a light wood dining room table on light wood floors. Pictures are hung on the light grey walls with white wainscoting near an arched doorway.
07 of Tall Taupe Walls With White Chair Rail Molding
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This living room boasts tall taupe walls with white chair rail molding. Two white armchairs are placed next to a white grand piano, and a white coffee table sits in front of a white sofa. A white rug is laid on the warm wood floor.
08 of Light Walls with White Chair Rail Molding
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A bronze wagon wheel chandelier hangs over a wooden dining table in a dining room with white chair rail molding. Fall decor is scattered over the open wood shelves. Wooden chairs are placed on a jute rug on the warm wood floor.
09 of Ferns Along White Wainscoting on a Light Grey Wall
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This hallway boasts light grey walls with white chair rail molding. A circular mirror hangs over gray and white vases on a wooden console table. Ferns in a wicker basket are set under the table on a brown rug on the dark wood floor.
10 of Green Plants, Gray Walls, and White Wainscoting
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Green plants are distributed around this hallway with light gray walls, white wainscoting, and a wooden console table. A beige basket sits next to a black stool on the dark wood floor.
11 of Tall Tree In Front of a Dark Gray Wall With White Wainscoting
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This home office boasts black sconces hanging above white pictures on a dark gray wall with white wainscoting. A tall tree stands in the corner near a black rug on the dark wood floor. Pink flowers are placed on the dark wood desk.
12 of White and Gold Chandelier and a White Chair Rail Trim
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A white and gold chandelier hangs in a dining room with gray walls, white chair rail trim, and a light wood table. A landscape painting hangs over a white buffet table, and white chairs are placed on a rug covering the light wood floor.
13 of Gray and White Open Living Space
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A wood-framed sign hangs on a light gray wall above white wainscoting in an open living space. Gray sofas are placed behind a white table on the warm wood floor, while gray cabinets are installed on the white cabinets.
14 of White Pictures on Dark Blue Walls With White Wainscoting
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This dining room boasts white pictures on dark blue walls with white wainscoting. A white table runner is laid along the dark wood table that’s surrounded by wooden chairs with white cushions on the dark wood floor.
15 of Spherical Chandelier and Dark Blue Walls with White Wainscoting
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A wooden spherical chandelier hangs in a dining room with dark blue walls and white wainscoting. Green branches in a white vase are set on the wooden table, and white chairs rest on the dark wood floor.
16 of Rustic Wood Shiplap Wainscoting and a White Chair Rail
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This living room features light gray walls, a white chair rail, and rustic wood shiplap wainscoting. A gray curtain hangs behind a golden armchair next to a warm wood coffee table.
17 of Rabbit on a Light GrAy Nursery Wall With a White Chair Rail Trim
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A white chair rail trim is installed on a light grey nursery wall. A picture of a rabbit hangs over the white crib, and a small gray bicycle sits on a beige rug on the warm wood floor.
18 of Large Black Vase on Glass Consul Table
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This hallway features a round black mirror hanging on a white wall with a white chair rail trim. Evergreen branches in a large black vase sit next to a small white lamp on a glass console table on the light wood floor.
19 of Light Grey Walls and a White Chair Rail Behind White Flowers
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This cozy corner boasts light grey walls and a white chair rail. A gold sconce hangs over pictures hung on the wall, while white flowers in a grey vase sit on a black storage rack.
20 of Black Boots Near White Chair Rail Molding
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This entryway boasts a black jacket and a beige scarf hanging from a white shelf on a wall with white chair rail molding. Black boots are placed next to a large wicker basket near a white rug on the warm wood floor.
21 of Large Black Vase and White Chair Rail Molding
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This living room boasts tall white walls, white chair rail molding, and a black wagon wheel chandelier. Green branches in a large black vase are placed between a white armchair and a white fireplace, while a light wood coffee table sits on a beige rug on the light wood floor.
22 of Gray Dresser and a Light Gray Wall With White Wainscoting
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A black dining room chandelier hangs over green branches in a gray vase on a light wood table. Black chairs sit on a white rug on the gray wood floor. A dark gray dresser is placed against a light grey wall with white wainscoting.
23 of Fall Wreath and a Bowl of Pinecones
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A fall wreath hangs on an off-white hallway wall with white wainscoting. A white bowl filled with pinecones and greens sits next to a glass lamp on a light gray round table on the warm wood floor.
24 of A White Chair Rail on White Walls With Green Furniture
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A black chandelier hangs in a dining room with white walls and a white chair rail. A circular mirror hangs over a dark green buffet table. A white bowl is placed on the dark green table on a brown rug resting on the warm wood floor.
25 of Green Wreath Hanging from Black China Cabinet
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This dining room boasts light purple walls, a white chair rail, and a rustic wood floor. A green wreath hangs from a black china cabinet with glass doors. A gold chandelier hangs over a wooden dining room table set for dinner. Black chairs are pushed under the table on the off-white rug.
26 of Christmas Themed Staircase
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A garland drapes over the deep wood staircase railing in the entry. Presents are arranged in the corner under white wainscoting along with a wood bench covered by a fur throw and a Christmas pillow. Artwork of winter scenes hangs on the wall under the staircase in black frames. Two black silhouettes in black oval frames also hang on the wall.
27 of Blue Hallway Wall With White Wainscoting
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A circular mirror with a black frame hangs on a blue hallway wall with white wainscoting. Blue and white pillows are placed on a white bench on the beige carpet.
28 of Golden-Brown Throw Blanket for a White Couch
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This living room features a white shiplap living wall with a white chair rail trim above dark wood floors. A golden-brown throw blanket is placed on a white couch filled with white and off-white throw pillows. A wood coffee table sits on a light brown area rug.
29 of Circular Mirror on Light Grey Walls
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A circular mirror hangs over a white living room sofa on the light grey walls with white trim. A white coffee table sits on the dark grey area rug that’s placed on the white floor. Two potted plants sit in the corner of the room.
30 of Beige Rug Under Bed With White Bedding
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This bedroom features light grey walls, a white chair rail, and a diagonal wood floor. Two light wood bedstands sit on each side of a bed made with white bedding on a beige rug.
31 of Gray Walls With Matching Grey Wainscoting
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White curtains hang over gray dining room walls with matching grey wainscoting. A black chandelier is installed above the dark wood table, while white chairs are placed on the dark wood floor.
32 of White Walls With White Wainscoting
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This living room features white walls with white wainscoting and a tall tree in the corner of the room. A black end table is placed between two white armchairs on a beige rug on the warm wood floor.
33 of White Wainscoting and a Blue Front Door
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This entryway boasts white walls, white wainscoting, and a blue front door with glass. An ornate area rug is laid on the warm wood floor under a gold and white pendant light.
34 of Winder Staircase with White Risers
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Dark stained wood winder staircase with white stair risers features an art gallery mounted along the walls. A stained wood hand rail is fitted along the gray wall above the staircase.
35 of White Plates on Wall With Off-White Wainscoting
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White plates hang on a white dining room wall with off-white wainscoting. Window decor rests on a white shelf above a dark wood buffet, while gold candlesticks are placed on a table covered with a white tablecloth. A white high chair sits on the warm wood floor.
36 of Dramatic Black Walls With White Chair Rail Molding
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A white chandelier hangs over a four-poster bed with white bedding in a bedroom with black walls and white chair rail molding. A white knit blanket is draped over the corner of the bed above the carpet.
37 of A Black and Wood Table With Black Wooden Dining Chairs
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Four black wooden dining chairs are placed around a black and wood dining room table. Wooden wall decor hangs on an off-white wall above the white chair rail. A white area rug sits on the greyed wood floor.
38 of Vaulted Ceiling Bedroom with Crown Molding
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This elegant bedroom features taupe walls and dark hardwood floors. Crown molding trims the bedroom’s vaulted ceiling with a hanging chandelier over a white shag rug. The bed is set with a white duvet and deep red throw pillows.
