My l/r is about 14.5'x16.5' which includes an open hallway/staircase. My furniture is medium brown in color and somewhat large scale, not leaving much lower wall space visible. Ceilings are 9' high and top of furniture reaches and just covers the top of the chair rail (about 3' from floor). Aside from 2 windows (one single width and the other a double) I don't have much else breaking up the area above the chair rail. I want to paint the walls above the chair railing a darker color than the area below. I am afraid I will have to go too light below though, in order to keep the furniture from disappearing against the walls. Any thoughts? Should I consider raising the chair rail height and if so, how high?