"No middle class house was considered perfect without it...The lady whose rooms had dadoes looked own on the lady who had none"
- H.J. Jennings (1880)
What is a dado rail?
In architecture, the lower part of the wall above the skirting board is called the dado, and the dado rail sits just above this.
The diagram below shows the classical origins of interior architectural mouldings and how they represent the classical order.
The dado represents the die (also known as a dado) in classical architecture which sits above the base of the pedestal.
In pre-industrial design books, the dado rail was called the dado or the wainscot cap. The term "chair rail" only came later.
A little history
Before the 18th century, chairs and other pieces of furniture were only moved into the middle of the room when it was being used. The furniture stayed against the walls when it wasn't being used, so that the centre of the room was empty most of the time. There is a wonderful example of what this would have looked like at Blickling Hall.
These wall-hangings are exact reproductions of the original 1779 silk-damask hangings that originally covered these walls. The dado rail with the dado below were used to protect the very expensive wall coverings from being damaged by the furniture.
How do I restore my dado rail?
Where the dado rail is still in its original place and it's in fairly good condition, then it's definitely worth restoring. If the dado rail has been previously removed, and you'd like to replace the original, remember the following:
If you can see where it has been removed, replace the rail at the same height. Look for bumps or old fixing holes in your plaster-work to determine the original height.
Do not place the dado rail too high, this can make the whole room feel wrong. Some carpenters will give you a specific height, or advise you to divide the height of the wall in three and fit the rail a third up the wall. I've even heard someone say that you should measure the back of your chairs to determine the height of your chair rail. The simple answer to this question is that there is no set rule. There cannot be a "one size fits all" rule to tell you where to put your chair rail because it all depends on the ceiling height. It's all about proportion. The dado rail should fit proportionally into the room, so let your ceiling height guide you.
If I don't have any architectural features left in my period house, how do I find out what was there originally?
Try to read up as much as you can on your house and it's history.
Look for bumps or old fixing holes in your plaster work.
Look at other houses of similar age and style in your area to see whether they have any original mouldings.
How should I paint my dado rail?
Historically, during the early 18th century, the panelled walls, along with the dado rail, were often painted in one colour.
I'm a big fan of using the same colour on the whole wall, all the way from the skirting board to the cornice. When you paint everything, the skirting, the dado and picture rails in the same colour, it makes the room appear bigger and creates a calm, elegant atmosphere.
According to Patrick Baty in his book The Anatomy of Colour "...the relative complexity of the panelled wall surface was not an excuse for the elaborate 'picking out' beloved by so many modern interior designers." You can follow Patrick on Instagram @theanatomyofcolour.
Of course, there is no rule that says you should or shouldn't pick out the chair rail in a different colour. It is completely up to you and there are so many different possibilities, it is worth experimenting.
You can paint the skirting board, dado and dado rail the same colour, but use a different colour or wallpaper above the rail. If you choose a lighter colour for the dado, it will ground the room and make the room feel bigger.
These days, the point of the chair rail is not functional, but aesthetic; to add interest in a room. It divides the wall space and it makes it easier for you experiment with colour, texture and pattern.
So go ahead, don't be afraid to try something different. And remember, it's only paint. If you get it wrong you can always paint over it!
FAQs
A dado rail, also known as a chair rail, is a type of moulding that is installed along the lower part of a wall. It is typically placed between 1/3 and 2/3 of the way up the wall and can be used to create a visual break between different sections of the wall.
What is the correct height for a dado rail? ›
Calculating The Dado Rail Height
For instance, if your wall height is 2400mm (2.4m) you would divide this by 5 to get 480mm (0.48m). Then you simply double 480mm to get 960mm (0.96m). With this in mind, you'd be safe to install the dado rail anywhere between 900mm (0.9m) and 1000mm (1m) above floor level.
Can you just glue a dado rail? ›
UniBond No More Nails Original grab adhesive is a great all-purpose construction adhesive which can be used to install dado rail onto the walls around your home. It completely eliminates the need for screws and nails.
How do you make a dado rail look good? ›
Placing your dado rail ¾ of the way up your wall creates a classy look that works well to add some depth to your rooms. This effect can be bolstered by painting contrasting colours above and below your rail, creating a two-tone effect that can work wonders to visually enlarge your space.
How to work out angles for dado rail? ›
- Hold the end of the second piece of dado rail up to the end of the first piece, ensuring that the profiles are aligned. - Mark the end of the second piece of dado rail with a pencil at a 45-degree angle to the edge of the dado rail. - Use your mitre saw to cut the marked end at a 45-degree angle.
Should I paint above or below dado rail? ›
Extending the wall colour above the picture rail will create the illusion of taller walls and a higher ceiling. If you take the colour over the picture rail and up to just below the cornice, your eye will be drawn upwards, maximizing the sense of height.
Does a dado rail make a room look bigger or smaller? ›
When you paint everything, the skirting, the dado and picture rails in the same colour, it makes the room appear bigger and creates a calm, elegant atmosphere.
Do I need to prime dado rail? ›
"Yes, it is recommended to prime dado rail before painting it. Priming helps to create a smooth and even surface for the paint to adhere to, and it also helps to prevent the paint from soaking into the material, which can result in uneven color and texture.
What can I use instead of a dado rail? ›
Create a contemporary look by incorporating wall paneling instead of traditional dado rails. This can add texture and depth to your walls, providing a stylish alternative. Instead of painting dado or picture rails in a traditional white, go bold by choosing contrasting colours that stand out against the walls.
How to end a dado rail? ›
All I can suggest then is plane the end of the dado rail down so it meets the architrave. Or take the architrave off, plant a piece the same width behind it and re-attach to bring the architrave further into the room. Or buy thicker architrave / thinner dado!
19 Dado Rail Hallway Ideas That Are On-trend For 2024 - Sleek-chic Interiors. Dado rails are very much on-trend, and a perfect way to separate colour in a hallway. These 19 dado rail ideas can be used in any room of the house.
Do you paint dado rail or wall first? ›
According to Mylands paints, there is one clear answer: “We always recommend starting with the walls, as mistakes made when painting these are easy to fix, but once you've painted the woodwork you want to avoid paint splatters on them,” says Dominic Myland, CEO at Mylands, who clearly knows how to paint a wall.
What is the best color for dado rail? ›
Dado Rails
A white dado looks clean and classic, whether it's breaking up a single wall colour or drawing a neat line between paint and wallpaper. Meanwhile, painting your dado the same colour as the wall – as in this all-Vardo living room – creates a strong contemporary look.
How do you curve a dado rail? ›
Place a strip of dado in the box and steam it for about ten to twenty minutes. This will make the wood pliable and you can start to shape it. Using trial and error get it to bend to the former and then screw it down and let it dry. Make the former with a greater bend than you require to allow a little spring back.
How to cut corners on dado rail? ›
When the chalk line is in place, hold the second piece of dado in position so that it butts up to the first piece in the corner, and mark the dado with a pencil in the direction that it will need to be cut. Use a mitre saw or mitre box to cut the dado length at 45 degrees in the same direction as your marking.
How to nail a dado rail? ›
The straight bits were easier to do, just measure and cut the piece then attach them in place with grip adhesive and tack in place with braid nails. Use your spirit level to make sure the dado rail is completely level as you go along.
What is the height of a dado in feet? ›
Dado is applied for a height of three feet to Seven feet especially in kitchens, toilets, hospitals, etc. Skirting is provided for a height of about Six to Eight inches so that the walls do not get wet during mopping or washing floors.
Should the darker color be above or below the dado rail? ›
Dado rails also present a great opportunity for tricking the eye. In this home office, India Yellow stops just short of the rail, giving the illusion of more wall, and more space above it. For the opposite effect, bring your darker base colour higher.
How do you measure and cut a dado rail? ›
When the chalk line is in place, hold the second piece of dado in position so that it butts up to the first piece in the corner, and mark the dado with a pencil in the direction that it will need to be cut. Use a mitre saw or mitre box to cut the dado length at 45 degrees in the same direction as your marking.
