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How to Nest for Less™

How to Install Chair Rail Molding

in DIY: Do It Yourself, HOW TO Tutorials on

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Installing chair rail molding is a great way of adding a touch of elegance and character to any room. With the right tools and supplies, it’s something that can be completed quickly.

If you’re looking to install chair rail molding in your home or office space but don’t know where to begin, this article is here to help! In this guide, we discuss the steps involved in correctly installing molding. So if you’re ready to enhance the look of your room with stylish trimwork, let’s get started!

A wall with chair molding and picture frame molding on the lower portion.
Table Of Contents
  1. Supplies Needed for Chair Rail Molding
  2. How to Install Chair Rail Molding
    • 1. Measure and Map
    • 2. Cut Chair Rail Molding
    • 3. Map Out Placement
    • 4. Glue
    • 5. Check with a Level
    • 6. Find Studs and Nail
    • 7. Tap In Nail Heads
    • 8. Fill In Nail Holes and Mitered Cuts
    • 9. Sand and Paint
  3. Picture Frame Molding
  4. Chair Rail Molding In Other Rooms

Supplies Needed for Chair Rail Molding

  • paper and pencil to sketch your plan
  • measuring tape
  • level
  • painter’s tape
  • compound miter saw or miter box
  • chair rail molding
  • glue for moldings (we used Elmer’s ProBond Advanced)
  • brad nailer
  • hammer and nail set
  • wood filler
  • sandpaper
  • paint and primer
Chair rail molding supplies-- wood glue, painters tape, and a nail gun

How to Install Chair Rail Molding

1. Measure and Map

Chair rails are usually placed one-third of the ceiling height. So, if you have a 8-foot ceiling, the molding should be installed about 32 inches from the floor. 

A level and a notebook with drawings of moldings and measurements

2. Cut Chair Rail Molding

Once you’ve figured out the measurements, mark on the molding where to make the cuts.

You can cut chair rail with a coping saw or miter saw.

You may have to use more than one piece for a chair rail. If that’s the case, you’ll get the cleanest line if you miter the two pieces rather than using straight cuts. Plus, it’s easy to fill in that gap with wood filler.

chair rail molding pieces touching

3. Map Out Placement

Once all of the pieces are cut, you’re ready for installation. Measure and draw a line on the wall with a pencil where the chair rail needs to go.

4. Glue

Next, put a little glue (I like Elmer’s ProBond glue) on the back of the molding piece. Place the molding piece just over the penciled line on the wall.

The backside of a piece of chair rail is covered in glue.

5. Check with a Level

To make sure the moldings are straight and level, use a level.

For an extra precaution, use a little painter’s tape right over the moldings to keep them in place and flush against the wall while the glue dries. In the photo below, you can see I stuck the tape to the wall below so I wasn’t having to rip pieces in a hurry with my hands full.

A level sits on a wall while a different level is used to see if a section of chair railing is level

6. Find Studs and Nail

Then, use a stud finder to secure the molding pieces to studs with a nail gun.

A cordless nail gun is used to secure a piece of chair rail molding to a wall

7. Tap In Nail Heads

Once all of the moldings are in place, use a nail set to tap the heads into the wood.

Man using nail set to tap nails into chair rail molding

8. Fill In Nail Holes and Mitered Cuts

Then, fill in all of the nail holes and mitered cuts so everything looks seamless.

9. Sand and Paint

Once the filler has dried, sand everything smooth.

Finally, paint the molding and wall.

Picture Frame Molding

For this project, we installed picture frame molding to the wall. I published a separate blog post showing how to install picture frame molding.

Chair rail molding and picture frame molding on the lower portion of a wall
Room with white chair railing and picture frame molding on the lower portion of a wall.

Chair Rail Molding In Other Rooms

Chair rail molding can elevate the look of any room. We’ve added to different rooms throughout our homes. Most recently, we added chair rail and picture frame molding to our entryway, kitchen, living room, dining room, and stairway.

Kitchen with darker wood flooring, buffet, and kitchen island.
Chair rail molding and picture frame molding on the lower portion of a wall.
How to install chair rail molding
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