This Chair rail can handle a larger room or matches well when combined with larger trims such as baseboard, casing and crown moulding. Chair Rail is applied on the wall parallel to the crown and base. Often it is installed approximately one third the distance up the wall but can range anywhere from 28″ to 36” up the wall or even higher when paneling out a wall for wainscoting. Chair rail offers a traditional colonial look and can separate two wall colours in the room. Its original purpose was to protect the walls from the backs of chairs but is more commonly used for a visual effect.