How to Use Bird Wallpaper Below a Chair Rail In a Bedroom

Try a modern twist on a classic wallpaper and molding idea with bird wallpaper below a chair rail and paint on top.

The big question of the day is “do you use wallpaper above or below chair molding (or dado rail)?” I say both! Read on to see why.

This post is sponsored by Milton and King.  As always all thoughts and opinions are my own.  Thank you for supporting brands that help make this blog possible. 

And we are back for week four of the New Year New Room Refresh Challenge hosted by Casa Watkins Living and I’m so excited to show you this week’s update for my daughter’s bedroom featuring a gorgeous bird wallpaper from Milton and King and new architectural detail. 

Nine of us have one month to refresh a room and have been sharing progress each Tuesday for this fun annual challenge.  Next week will be our final reveal so make sure to stop by! 

Week 1: Vintage Boho Girls Room Inspiration  | Week 2:  An Ikea Hack for Chic Storage | Week 3:  Decorating with Boho Vintage Accessories | Week 4: How to use Wallpaper, Paint, and Trim All in One Room | Week 5: A Dresser Makeover without Sanding  | Week 6:  Boho Vintage Girl’s Bedroom Reveal 

How to Use Wallpaper Below a Chair Rail or Molding

If you are new here, howdy! I’m a retired military spouse who moved back to Texas after being gone for 19 years. I perfected the art of rental decorating and overcoming challenges in small spaces for over fifteen years but now am tackling homeownership with a new set of challenges! Our family of four lived in some of the most beautiful coastal towns in the US and Japan which have influenced my colorful and global style with DIYs and furnishings in our one-story 60’s ranch-style home in Fort Worth.

Before I give you my wallpaper and chair rail update I want to point you to a story all about chair or dado molding and how to use it. You can also find a detailed tutorial on how to install wallpaper if you are looking for more information about the application.

Let’s do a little recap, shall we?  Last week I showed a bit of the new chair rail and upper wall color.  If you are curious, you can check out the before pictures and inspiration board and photos. 

My designer friend and I decided to remove the trim under the windowsill and have the chair rail molding installed at the same height as the window for a unique architectural detail and focal point for the room.   

It also makes the room seem taller than its eight-foot walls.   I also added corner bead trim around the window and painted the sides white so the window looks more polished.

Installing Milton and King’s wallpaper was easier than I expected.  It’s non-woven so there is no shrinking or expanding when wet and you are able to paste the walls directly and apply the wallpaper dry. 

I did carefully prep the walls by sanding the texture off and fixing cracks in the drywall.  My friend and I were able to do the bottom half of the walls in an afternoon (after a weekend of sanding and prep!). 

Why you should consider installing wallpaper on the bottom half of the wall:

• If your house is older or gets cracks around the upper window and doors, chances are the lower half is a smoother canvas and less susceptible to future damage.
• Installing wallpaper on the bottom half will more likely keep it hole free as we hang art mostly at eye level.
• Keeping a busy pattern on the lower half allows furniture to break it up and keeps the room from being overwhelmed with a bold print.
• It’s a little weird.

Chair Rail Ideas

Here are a couple of other makeovers I’ve done for the same challenge that will give you more chair rail ideas for a bedroom. I think it is safe to say that I really like the interest dado rail and molding add to a room!

• Use two-toned walls with a chair rail for an eye-catching feature. You can read all about dado rails and how to achieve this beautiful look in this article. This should inspire chair rail paint ideas! You don’t have to keep them neutral.

• Install wallpaper above the chair rail and pull a color from the print to paint the bottom half below the chair rail. This is a great way to save money on wallpaper and makes it easier to install versus an entire wall and room.

Join me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes, DIYs, decorating tips, room tours, and home inspiration. I’ll see you over there!

Most of the products have arrived and I’ve been sharing behind the scenes on IG stories.  You can find them on NYNR highlights.  They are so beautiful, I have to give a big shout-out to our generous sponsors!

Milton and King | Hudson Valley Lighting Group | Velvet Finishes | boho luxe home | Art to Frames | Loom Decor | Home Dynamix

Boho Vintage Girls Bedroom To Do List:

• Update IKEA Kallax Bookcase with DIY base and inserts
• Add chair rail
• Paint the wall above chair rail
• Paint the ceiling
• Sand the wall and install wallpaper
• Paint dresser and update hardware
• Bring in new bed and refresh bedding
• Install new curtain rod
• Hem curtains and hang
• Finish up with boho and vintage touches/styling
• Paint fan blades (new to-do!)

I have a few painting projects this week and then it will be time to put everything together!   I’m just excited to see what my friends are doing.  Make sure to pop in and see their weekly progress and come back next week for the room reveals.

Casa Watkins Living // Domicile 37 // House Homemade // Iris Nacole // Monica Wants It // Jeweled Interiors // Pocketful of Posies // This Is Our Bliss // Up To Date Interiors

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