Chair Rails: What They Are and How to Use Them

If you're like me, you may have appreciated the aesthetics of a chair rail, but didn't really know what function they served.  Is it for chairs?  Can you set items on the rail, or is it just for looks?  Thanks to a recent article from Apartment Therapy, all your burning questions will be answered!

As it turns out, a chair rail actually has little to do with chairs and "more to do with proportion and scale."  Many historians say that chair rails were at times used to protect the wall from chair damage in cramped dining rooms, however the main purpose of a chair rail is "to add visually pleasing architectural interest to your room...your wall's dimensions are what should guide the placement of the molding."

Chair rails not only add visual interest, they also provide "separation to a vast expanse of wall that may otherwise seem overwhelming."

Dividing a larger area with the help of a chair rail might even make you feel more comfortable mixing up color, pattern, or texture, as seen in the examples above.  Chair rails often provide "just the ticket to encourage experimental decor so don't be afraid, try a chair rail."