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Dining Room Paint Ideas with Chair Rail: How to Choose the Perfect Colors

Decorating a dining room with a chair rail trim detail can feel overwhelming with so many paint options to choose from. But thoughtfully selecting wall colors and finishes to complement your chair rail can transform the space into a stylish highlight of your home's interior.

We'll also provide helpful guidelines and things to consider when deciding on colors for your prized dining space.

dining room paint ideas with chair rail

Determine the Style You Want

Before choosing any paint colors, it's wise first to define the general style and aesthetic you want your dining room to embody. Consider these style aspects:

Once you land on an overarching style, it will guide your color scheme and other design decisions.

Experiment with Two-Tone Chair Rail Colors

If you want your chair rail to stand out, consider a two-tone painted design. This is achieved by painting the lower portion of walls a darker color, then installing white or off-white chair rail molding to visually split the wall and create a two-tone look.

Deep colors like navy, charcoal gray, brick red or rich green work beautifully on lower dining room walls. They also make the upper walls appear taller. The contrast draws the eye up and makes ceilings seem higher - ideal for small, low-ceilinged dining rooms!

Make a Bold Statement with Vibrant Chair Rail Colors

Feeling adventurous? Paint your chair rail a bold, vibrant hue like cherry red, deep orange, cobalt blue or regal purple. This eye-catching approach brings serious drama and visual interest to the space.

For best results, pair bold chair rails with neutral wall colors like white, beige or light gray. This prevents overwhelming the space while allowing the vibrant trim to dazzle as an accent.

Carefully Select Wall and Trim Paint Colors

When pondering dining room paint ideas, popular suggestions include soft, light neutrals that won't compete with decor or food. These flexible backgrounds allow you to switch up fabrics and centerpieces without clashing.

Delicate pastel hues like powder blue, pale yellow or subdued sage green are also great dining room wall color ideas. These tinted neutrals subtly warm a space without darkening or diminishing it.

Infuse Textural Interest with Specialty Paint Finishes

Why limit yourself to flat, eggshell or semi-gloss sheens? Metallic, hammered, velvet, chalkboard and a range of other specialty paints offer tantalizing texture and depth to walls and trim.

Envision glossy copper chair rail popping against rough plaster walls, or inky black rails dividing pristine white upper walls from "denim"-look lower walls - the possibilities are endless!

Factor in Lighting's Impact on Perceived Color

It's crucial to consider how both natural and artificial light sources will interact with your paint colors in the dining room.

Cool northern light can make some warm paint tones appear dull and muted. Meanwhile, southern light bouncing off light colors may cause uncomfortable glare. Address lighting early so it heightens rather than fights your palette.

Complement Wood Furniture Finishes

Any existing wood furniture and cabinetry should help guide your wall color selection. Matching the chair rail closely to wood finishes creates a cohesive, polished look. Contrasting it slightly adds definition without clashing.

If your style is more eclectic or you want to embrace bold patterns, don't be afraid to have some fun! Coordinate chair rail colors with wallpaper prints, upholstery fabrics and other accents for personal panache.

Incorporate Moldings for Sophistication

For a dignified, architectural dining space, incorporate crown molding, baseboards, or picture frame trim moldings. This frames the entire room with handsome detail.

Paint all trim moldings in the same color family to beautifully showcase fine craftsmanship while forming a unified frame. For dining rooms with chair rail already installed, expanding the molding elements with additional trim takes the elegant factor over the top.

Strategically Accentuate Great Room Features

Thoughtful dining room paint ideas don't just look pretty - they also play up a room's virtues and downplay any imperfections. Cool, misty colors can help diminish a low ceiling, for example.

To make a small dining area feel more expansive, stick to light wall colors with gloss or semi-gloss sheens. These reflect light around the room instead of absorbing it. Chair rails installed close to halfway up the wall also draw eyes upward.

Choose the Best Paint Finish for Your Dining Room

Flat or matte paint hides surface imperfections well but requires gentler cleaning. Eggshell finishes offer subtle sheen, with slightly more durability and wipe-ability.

For dining rooms, most designers recommend washable satin or semi-gloss sheens. These withstand occasional scrubbing, kids' antics, and cooking splatters while resisting yellowing and reflecting ambient lighting attractively off the chair rail.

Prepare Walls and Apply Paint Properly

With so many choices for dining room paint ideas with chair rail, settling on a color scheme is only half the battle. Meticulous prep work and careful application are still essential for successful, professional-looking results.

Proper process includes:

Patience leads to the best outcome! Allow at least 2-3 days drying and curing time before enjoying your redesigned dining space.

The chair rail offers wonderful versatility within your dining room's design. Whether matching trim colors, boldly contrasting, or even showing off fun two-tone creativity, the possibilities are truly endless.

Hopefully these ideas have stirred up inspiration for your perfect dining room paint colors. Remember to consider the room's size, lighting and furnishings as you put colors together. Most importantly, embrace what delights your personal taste so this special gathering space reflects the best of you!