Your complete guide to dado rails – the traditional wall moulding making a comeback!

These days, there are so many styles of wall panelling and moulding to choose from that it’s easy to get stuck in a scroll. Which design do I love? And will it actually suit the room?

So, if you’re not sure where to start, then let us introduce you to the dado rail. It’s a traditional style of wall moulding that is absolutely making its’ comeback, and we’re totally here for it.

By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly what the dado rail is (we’re even throwing in a little history lesson!), how they can be used around homes in modern day, how to cut, install and remove them, along with plenty of inspiration to get your creative interior-design-mind flowing with ideas…

So, what is a dado rail?

The dado rail is a simple, yet extremely effective, type of wall moulding typically fixed horizontally around the midway or lower part of your wall. 

Historically they were referred to as a chair rail, used for protective purposes to stop chairs damaging the walls. Nowadays they are mainly decorative and are most commonly associated with period homes, but many people are now using dado rail moulding in their contemporary homes to create character.

How do you use a dado rail in your home?

There are two main ways you can use a dado rail in your home. The first is by adding it to the top of your wall panelling (sometimes known as a 'top trim') and the second is by using it on its own as a stand-alone feature. Both are effective in their own way, and they both create a very different feel to your space.

1. The top trim to your existing wall panelling

Whilst wall panelling is super impactful on its own, adding a dado rail to the top can almost ‘complete’ your look, really taking it to the next level. It’s the perfect finishing touch and creates a clean edge for your panelling. If you choose an MDF dado rail, you can paint it a different colour to the panelling for visual contrast.

2. A stand-alone feature

If you’ve decided to install a dado rail as a stand-alone feature, it will essentially divide your wall space into an upper and lower half. This is a really nice way to experiment with colour, texture and pattern in your room.

You could add wallpaper to one half (one of our favourite looks!), paint the upper and lower halves in different colours, or just paint the dado rail in a different colour to the rest of the wall – your creative possibilities are endless! 

What dado rail height should you choose? 

There really are no rules to interior design, you can do whatever you like! But if you're unsure, typically we'd suggest opting for around 800mm - 1200mm up from the floor, depending on your wall height.  

For the more traditional styles, like Tongue and Groove panels or Bead and Butt panelling, we'd go for the slightly lower end, at around 800 - 900mm. Whereas for the more modern wall panelling styles like Ribbed Wall Panelling or Fluted Wall Panelling, we'd suggest opting for slightly higher up the wall at around 1000 - 1200mm.

How do you cut dado rail corners?

Ah, now this can be tricky, but with a little research, practice (and patience!) it’s more than achievable as a DIY project.

Read carefully, because ensuring your dado rail corners join neatly around the room really is the key to a professional looking finish. 

You’ll need:

• Mitre saw or mitre box/hand saw
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Protractor or angle finder
• Clamps and work bench
• Sandpaper
• Panels By Sofia Wall Panel Adhesive
• Spirit level
• Nails (optional)
• Decorators caulk 

Step 1: Measure your corners accurately

Firstly, you need to measure the angle of your corners. This is a really important step as you can’t just assume 90°, especially in an older home when the angles are more likely to be uneven. Use a protractor or angle finder to check whether the corner is exactly 90° or slightly off. Knowing the exact angle helps you adjust your mitre saw and get a snug fit.

Step 2: Mark your cut lines on your dado rail

Place your dado rail on the workbench, with the face side down.

Use your tape measure and pencil to mark where each rail needs to be cut, according to your measurements. Adjust the angle of your mitre saw or mitre box to match your marked cutting angle.

Tip: before you cut your actual dado rail, do some test cuts just to be sure! 

Step 3: Cut your corners

Cut your dado rail corners, be precise and take your time.

Step 4: Sand the edges and check

Sand the edges if needed, but be careful not to over-sand in case the corners don’t meet together perfectly.

Then it’s time to check all your joints align exactly before you install!

Installing the dado rail

With the tricky part done, you can now focus on the exciting part… installing the dado rail to the walls - this is the easy bit (phew!)

Grab yourself a tape measure, a level and a pencil. Measure around one third of the way up the wall (or your chosen height) and make a mark with your pencil.

Apply Panels by Sofia Wall Panel Adhesive to the back of the dado rail, then press it against the wall. Use a spirit level to check it’s straight and hold it in place until you’re happy with its position. For extra hold, you can secure it with nails.

Fill in any edges with caulk to complete the look, and the sand down where necessary.

How do you remove a dado rail?

Tastes evolve and sometimes you just fancy a change, so there may come a time when you decide to remove your dado rail and start a fresh. The good thing is that when done carefully and correctly, you can safely remove your dado rail without causing any damage to the wall.

Firstly, run a utility knife along its edges to break the seal of your caulk/paint. Starting at one end, slide a filling knife or flat pry bar behind the rail and gently ease it away from the wall. Work along it a little at a time, using a light tap from a hammer if needed. Removing the rail in sections can help limit damage to the plaster. Once it’s off, pull out any remaining nails, scrape away leftover adhesive and wipe the wall with a damp cloth!

Ready to give dado rails a go?

Whether you’re using one to finish your wall panelling or make a feature of a plain wall, we’ve established that a dado rail is a simple way to bring a little more character to your space. Find a style that works for your room in the Panels by Sofia Dado Rail Collection.