Before diving into unique chair rail ideas for bathrooms, let’s quickly cover what chair rails are for those unfamiliar with the term. Chair rails are moldings, typically made of wood or another durable material, that are installed horizontally along walls, most often in dining rooms, living rooms, and foyers.
The name comes from the fact that chair rails tend to be the approximate height of the back of a chair, around 30 to 36 inches high. Historically, chair rails were added to rooms with plaster walls to help protect the lower part of the wall if furniture or chair backs rubbed against it.
Benefits of Chair Rail in Bathrooms
In addition to their decorative appeal, using chair rail molding in bathrooms offers some great practical benefits, including:
- Create a clear division on bathroom walls for applying different colors, textures, or materials above and below the rail
- Built-in ledges and display space by utilizing the area above the chair rail
- Protects lower walls from moisture damage
- Adds architectural and aesthetic interest
Traditional White Chair Rail
Perhaps the most popular way to incorporate chair rail molding into a bathroom design is the classic approach of installing white chair rail about midway up the walls. This traditional style pairs beautifully with options like:
Timeless Classic Look
Crisp, bright white chair rail molding against white walls creates a refreshed, timeless look perfect for coastal cottages, vintage homes, or anywhere wanting an airy charm. For variation, try behr crisp linen or Benjamin Moore classic gray below the rail.
Paint Color Combinations
Use chair rail as a divider between upper and lower wall colors. For example, try navy or deep green below with a soft gray, light blue, or warm white above. Vary sheens as well – satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss paint below with flat or matte paint above.
Tile or Wainscoting Below Rail
Playing off the traditional dining room aesthetic, install white subway tile, shiplap panels, or beadboard below the chair rail in bathrooms. Pair with neutral wallpaper or paint above the rail for a light and airy look.
Faux Marble Chair Rails
For a touch of elegance and drama, bathroom chair rails using faux or actual marble tile bring an opulent, spa-like feel. The visual texture and interest make a statement set amongst other finishes like:
Elegant and Dramatic
Marble chair rail tile (especially darker tones like black or gray) makes a striking impact against light, breezy wall colors like airy grays or soft blue. Contrast makes the look ultra-glamorous.
Realistic Options on a Budget
High-quality laminate and porcelain tile offer the look of real marble without the maintenance or price point, keeping projects budget-friendly.
Matching Wallpaper Above
Compliment faux marble chair rails with subtle metallic sheen wallpaper, textured patterns, or matching marble wallpaper prints above the rail to continue the sophisticated style.
Graphic Wallpaper Above Chair Rail
Make a bold visual statement by pairing traditional chair rail molding with eye-catching wallpaper prints installed above. Balance vibrant colors and patterns with simple treatments below the rail.
Making a Bold Visual Statement
From modern geometrics to tropical prints, graphic wallpaper catches the eye. Opt for darker hues on lower walls to prevent overwhelming small bathrooms.
Tips for Selecting Striking Patterns
Consider light reflection to avoid visual vibration. Busy patterns can overstimulate. Limit wallpaper to one killer print instead of multiple competing colors and designs.
Contrasting Paint Below Rail
Offset flashy wallpaper prints with crisp white, soft gray, or even deep charcoal paint below the chair rail. This balances visually while still allowing that POP above!
Two-Tone Walls Divided by Rail
Make chair rail the clear delineator between upper and lower wall paint colors. Contrasting tones and textures create distinct zones.
Mix and Match Paint Colors
Highlight favorite color combos – light blue and tan, deep green and red, charcoal and eggplant. Supported by chair rail, eclectic color schemes make bathrooms pop.
Creative Color Combinations
Beyond expected pairings, explore fun, fearless paint shades for small bathrooms. Electric plum with spa mint green, or rosy pink with sage temper exciting brights.
Coordinating Tiles Below Rail
Incorporate coordinating handmade cement tile, metallic mosaic tile, or Moroccan fish scale tile below chair rail height to complement or contrast wall paint shades.
Open Shelving Above Rail
Use chair rail as a transition to built-in display space. Open shelving invites treasured belongings or decorative objects to shine.
Perfect for Displaying Decor
Show off grouped candle vignettes, trailing succulents, or hand wash collections without cluttering precious countertops.
Glass-Door Cabinets for Visual Interest
Display collectibles or decorative soaps behind glass cabinet doors mounted above chair rail. Keep items visible but dust-free.
Decorating Shelves with Greenery and candles
Work succulents, trailing ivy, pillar candles, and ceramic vessels into styled shelving vignettes above bathroom chair rails. Nature echoes restful renewal.
Recessed Niches Above Rail
Use the chair rail ledge to border customized recesses for displaying decorative objects or storage needs.
Built-In Spaces for Accent Pieces
Frame out rectangular or circular openings to hold artwork, ceramics, bud vases fresh floral bouquets perched above the chair rail.
Circular and Rectangular Shapes
Carve round or linear niches into the drywall over bathroom chair rails. Shallow crevices prevent overcrowding while highlighting favorite finds.
Spotlighting with Adjustable Lighting
Install adjustable sconces or directional lighting inside wall cutouts over chair rail to directly accent niche contents.
Beadboard Installed Under Rail
For a lightweight, airy finish, paint classic white beadboard along bathroom walls below chair rail height.
Timeless Shiplap Look
Crisply painted tongue and groove beadboard offers beach house charm. Its breezy, coastal vibe pairs perfectly with chair rail.
Crisp White for Coastal Charm
Crisp white encapsulates summer beach cottages. Keep walls, chair rail, and beadboard freshly bright white for relaxed style.
Soft Hues for Modern Bathrooms
Trending greys or exotic teal paint updates traditional beadboard with modern cool. Chair rail defines while color shifts interest.
Horizontal Board Below Rail
Instead of beadboard, install contrasting wide-plank boards below bathroom chair rails for added texture.
Rustic, Farmhouse Look
Naturally stained, rough-cut wood boards cultivate rustic farmhouse style. Match board tones to wood chair rail for cohesion.
Contrasting Stained Woods
Intentionally vary wood types below chair rail – oak, cedar, pine – for eclectic visual charm. Allow natural wood grains beauty to shine!
Accent Colors on Boards
Paint random horizontal boards contrasting colors beneath neutral chair rails. Pops of peach, sea green, sky blue enliven.
Wallpaper Border Below Rail
Define dual decorative zones using wallpaper solely under chair rail molding.
Contrasting Prints Below
Highlight dynamic patterns on lower walls to anchor simpler solid paint or wallpaper above chair rail.
Vivid Colors and Geometric Prints
Modern abstract wallpaper prints with vivid colors or flashy metallics below chair rail make that space the accent wall.
Metallic Wallpapers for Glamorous Style
Shimmery silver, champagne, rose gold wallpaper ensures Hollywood glam. Pair metallics with traditional chair rail for striking contrast.
Chair-Height Wainscoting Paneling
Outfit the lower half of bathroom walls with decorative recessed panel wainscoting installed chair rail height.
Floor to Rail Coverage
Fit long, vertically oriented tongue and groove wainscoting boards from floor to chair rail cap for a streamlined look.
Raised Panel for Dimension
Thick, molded recessed wainscoting panels add textural intrigue below chair rail caps. Paint crisp white.
Beadboard for Sleek Finish
Thin, grooved beadboard wainscoting seems tailor-made for clean finish chair rail capper. Crisp whites keep the look light.
As you can see, chair rail molding offers so much decorative potential in bathrooms. Far beyond its traditional role as plaster wall protector in stately dining rooms, this simple horizontal element creates stylish display nooks, borders distinctive design zones, and provides beautiful architectural detail.
Follow our stunning chair rail ideas to create focal features that make your bathroom pop with gorgeous style suited to your unique taste and space.
