6 Modern Dado Rail Ideas - Picture Rails (2024)

Are dado rails and picture rails in fashion?

Despite originally being an 18th century trend, these decorative interior fittings have made quite the comeback in recent years. Why? Well, for one, they're an excellent way to add additional colour and texture to an otherwise bare wall. At Lick, we know paint, and it's clear that sometimes our customers don't want just to pick one colour for a room, they want several. By breaking up the room, not only can you use multiple colour palettes and textures, but it also creates an instantly dramatic, sophisticated, or layered look. You can browse our paint sample boxes to find the perfect complementary colours for your dado or picture rail wall. Two, they're ridiculously practical! Instead of damaging your walls hammering in fixtures to hang your wall art, with picture rails you can change or alter the location and height of your decor with ease to keep your interior fresh.

How can you modernise a dado or picture rail?

So, it's clear that picture rails and dado rails are two trends that are here to stay. Whether for practical or design purposes, if you're thinking about incorporating them into your home, here are six of our favourite modern dado and picture rails ideas to get your mood boards going.

1. Create wall panelling

Très Parisian, whatever colour you go to, highlighting wall panelling with dado and picture rails can help create an instantly elegant feel. Learn more about how to do DIY wall panelling here.

6 Modern Dado Rail Ideas - Picture Rails (2024)

FAQs

Can you have a picture rail and a dado rail? ›

Many rooms in period properties will have either a dado rail or a picture rail. However, where ceilings are particularly high, they can have both. This opens up even more opportunities for colour combinations.

How to make a dado rail look modern? ›

By breaking up the room, not only can you use multiple colour palettes and textures, but it also creates an instantly dramatic, sophisticated, or layered look. You can browse our paint sample boxes to find the perfect complementary colours for your dado or picture rail wall.

Are dado rails in fashion in 2024? ›

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.

How to modernise a picture rail? ›

Paint them: Even if you decide not to use a picture rail for its primary purpose, it can still become a statement feature of the room. You can paint it in a contrasting colour to your walls, but one which matches your architrave, skirting boards or ceiling moulding. Or you can use it to 'frame' a colour.

Do picture rails make a room look small? ›

Yes, picture rails can help make a room look bigger in a few ways. The long horizontal line draws the eye out, giving the illusion of width. The gallery-like display adds height.

Are picture rails back in fashion? ›

This traditional feature, commonly seen in older homes, is now making a resurgence in modern interior design. Dado rails can add a unique and stylish touch to any room, making them a popular choice for those looking to inject a bit of character into their living space.

Can you put a picture rail in a modern house? ›

Picture rails come in various styles and materials, each offering unique aesthetic and functional benefits. Whether renovating a period property or adding a classic touch to a modern home, you'll find a picture rail to suit your needs.

Are picture rails dated? ›

This type of molding was once an elegant way of hanging artwork on hard-to-penetrate plaster walls. Popular in New England and Southern townhouses during the Victorian era, picture rails may seem like a quaint throwback, but they can still look fresh today and serve a purpose.

Should I paint picture rail the same color as walls? ›

YES – IF YOU WANT THE ROOM TO APPEAR CALMER

To enhance this even more then paint all your woodwork in to match your walls. The picture rail itself as well as the skirting, architraves, door etc.

What is the interior design trend for 2024? ›

We're talking lush greenery, earthy colors, eco-friendly materials, and an oh-so-soothing atmosphere. It's fitting, too, as sustainability is also cementing its spot in 2024's interior design trends. Along these, maximalism and personality-rich interiors are also climbing the ranks.

Does a dado rail make a room look bigger? ›

If you choose a lighter colour for the dado, it will ground the room and make the room feel bigger.

What is the wood tone trend in 2024? ›

That trend continues into 2024 and beyond. The same goes for wood. While the organic nature of wood makes any type or color add warmth, trends favor woods like oak, maple, cherry, and walnut with undertones of beige, honey, pink, and cheery yellow. Anything with gray or white undertones or accents is considered cooler.

How do you make a dado rail look modern? ›

Instead of painting dado or picture rails in a traditional white, go bold by choosing contrasting colours that stand out against the walls. This can create a visually striking and attention-grabbing effect. For a seamless and cohesive look, paint the dado or picture rails in the same colour as the walls.

Should I get rid of my picture rails? ›

Depends on the age of the house. If your house was built when picture rails were standard and built in from new, very broadly, any property built before 1940 then leave them.

What is the difference between a picture rail and a dado rail? ›

* Dado rail. This runs around the lower to the middle of the room. * Picture rail. This runs towards the top of the room (normally at or around the height of the door frame.)

Do you install wallpaper or dado rail first? ›

Alternatively, you can install the wallpaper first and then add the dado rail on top, using an adhesive that is suitable for use on wallpaper. This approach requires a bit more care to avoid damaging the wallpaper, so it's important to work slowly and carefully to ensure a neat and tidy finish.

Can you have panelling and picture rail? ›

If you already have picture rail running around your room, great. If not, this is the perfect way to incorporate it. By panelling all the way up to the picture rail, you create an illusion of your walls being taller than they actually are.

Does handrail go above or below dado rail? ›

The dado rail should mirror the banister in height and angle so I would fix the handrail exactly in front of the dado with brackets that come down and are fixed under the dado, think this is the best practicality and aesthetically.

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