Paint Colors for Base Boards & Chair Rails

Tone on Tone

• For a subtle look, paint your baseboards and chair rail in a shade that is from the same family as your wall color. The shade can be slightly darker or lighter than the wall color to allow the baseboards and chair rail to stand out. When shopping for paint, choose two colors from the same sample card to ensure that they have the same tones. A tone-on-tone color scheme for the walls, baseboards and chair rail is an attractive option for a bedroom because it provides a soft look. If you want to deemphasize your baseboard and chair rail, paint them the same exact shade as your wall color, so they blend in completely.

Neutral

• If you're having a difficult time selecting colors for a room, you usually can't go wrong if you choose a neutral shade for the baseboards and chair rail. Neutral colors pair well with cool and warm tones, so they work with virtually any wall color. A crisp white for the baseboards and chair rail gives your room a bright, clean look, and is an ideal option for bringing light to a space with dark walls. If you prefer a warmer look, select an ivory or cream shade. A tan or dove gray color also can add more depth to the room.

Complementary

• In color theory, colors opposite each other on the color wheel are complementary because of the attractive contrast between warm and cool tones. For a bold look, choose a shade opposite your wall color on the color wheel for your baseboards and chair rail. For example, blue is opposite orange, so a blue gray color works well for the baseboards and chair rail in a room with peach or terra cotta walls. Choose a sage green shade for baseboards and chair rail in a room with wine or maroon walls, while a pale yellow color on the baseboards and chair rail can bring purple walls to life.

Dark and Dramatic

• If you prefer a dramatic look, choose a dark shade for your baseboards and chair rail. Black, charcoal, navy blue and chocolate brown all provide a rich, formal look that can work with a variety of wall colors. It is a particularly striking look when paired with a light wall color, such as white, tan or cream, but it also can provide balance to a room with darker walls. Because it provides a sophisticated look, it is an ideal option for formal rooms of the house, such as the dining room or living room.