Dado rails are staging a quiet comeback in UK home improvement projects, with recent data pointing to London as the epicentre of the trend.
Figures from MDF specialists MR Mouldings reveal that over 1,700 dado rails were sold in the first half of 2025, with interest steadily climbing across the first two quarters. Weekly orders rose from just a couple in January to between five and six by the end of spring.
“Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to add both function and character to their interiors,” said Adam McGrory at MR Mouldings.
“Dado rails allow them to break up bold wall colours, add character to rooms and bring back heritage details without compromising on modern taste.”
London continues to dominate the dado rail revival, responsible for more than 300 sales—almost six times that of any other area. Other regions seeing notable uptake include Yorkshire, Surrey and Essex.
Sales of panel moulds have also seen a boost, with nearly 5,000 units sold this year. These mouldings are vital for crafting the classic wall panelling typical of Georgian or Victorian interiors.
Adam McGrory added: “Our data aligns with London’s abundance of Victorian and Edwardian housing stock, where residents are more likely to preserve or recreate traditional features. The spread to commuter towns suggests the trend is filtering outward, perhaps driven more by aesthetics.
“As British homes continue to blend history with modern living, dado and picture rails are no longer seen as relics. They’re being redefined as must-have features that bring both structure and elegance to interior spaces.”
