Artisan Carpentry of the Main Line, LLC For 8' ceiling- 28" to 30" Add 1" for every 1' of ceiling height. These are guidelines- windows and shelving or other factors may affect this placement. Most people put it at 36" to even 40" and that makes it look like the room has its pants pulled up too high.

cboutros3 I have a banister that is 34-35in and I wanted to make the chair rail the same height but I also have a cathedral ceiling that makes the highest part of the ceiling almost 12 ft is that still too high?
Also I like the design in this picture a lot and was wondering if its all just paint and trim or one piece?