When thinking about remodeling you may want to take a moment and check the ceiling. The ceiling easily comprises about a sixth of the total space of a room, however it usually gets a coat of white paint and is left alone. For generations white has been the color of choice for ceilings. It has long been considered the safest choice.

Some times this is exactly what you should do however, it never hurts to consider adding color, and you may actually add a some excitement and enthusiasm to the room.

To decide on the color for the ceiling first determine what you want to do with the ceiling. For instance when you want to "raise" the ceiling you will want to paint it white or at least lighter than the walls. On the flip side should you want to lower the ceiling for a cozier feel paint them a few shades darker than the walls.

Never forget to consider the type of light you will rely on the most in a room. It will affect the way specific colors look. For instance should you rely on natural light blush pinks and light blues will produce an airy feeling while candle light on rich reds is luxurious and opulent.

Choosing your paint finish is also important to the finished look of a ceiling. Flat paint is the most common choice however eggshell or satin will give you just a small amount of shine, perfect for darker color choices. Remember that this type of finish will also highlight the smallest flaws so it is important that any and all repairs be completed first.

Changing the color of your ceiling is a chance for you to be creative however do not go overboard especially in a main room, you could get tired of it more quickly than a simpler white could.

White continues to be one of the best choices for a ceiling; it allows the ceiling more anonymity and keeps the focus on the walls or furniture.

A light colored or white ceiling provides excellent contrast for dark colored walls, they will appear clean and crisp and the ceilings will have the illusion of being higher. On lighter walls colored to give the room, an open and spacious feel the white ceilings will only enhance the openness.

In a room with few or no windows, a white ceiling will reflect whatever light source there is therefore making the room brighter.

A white ceiling will do the best in a room with resonance something that brings it all together. Flooring, window covering, trim and even bedding can serve in this capacity. All of this comes together to give the room stability and harmony.

How do you choose the correct white? Standard ceiling white paint can appear clinical and austere However even white paint comes in a variety of hues and tones, off white, creamy white and eggshell just to name a few. Choose the white shade that creates the feel you want for the area.

A ceiling with contrasting color can alter the way you see a room. Different colors will reflect different tones and hues setting the mood of the area. Warm colors can give a close comfortable feel.

Forget the rule that demands low ceilings be painted with a light color. You can use deeper colors then cover with a glaze of the same hue; this gives it a shiny look and reflects the light enough that the color does not overwhelm you.

Check out these fabulous colors for a ceiling:

1. Blush varieties of pink
2. Warm light brown or tan
3. Sky or periwinkle blue
4. Palest peach
5. Buttery yellow

Going all the way with a color and painting everything, wall and ceiling, the same is definitely a particular taste. It will make an area feel closed in and small because there is no "opening" of lighter color at the top.

If this is a look that is to your taste, it can be perfect for a bedroom or bathroom because the unbroken color provides a calming relaxed effect. In a large room, the one color method will fade into the background giving more focus to your furnishings.

If you like the color on the wall and would like a similar color on the ceiling, you can easily do this by adding white to the wall color paint. The mix should be about 80-20, eighty percent white with twenty percent color.

Should your room be odd shaped or have a ceiling that is multi faceted using the same color across the board will make the space more unified and less awkward.

Applying the same color to the ceiling will effectively "lower" them, so in a room with extremely high ceilings you could still achieve a warm cozy feel. Having the same color from wall to ceiling makes painting a breeze as well since there is no need to tape off any areas.

This brings us to the trim; you can include it in the paint free for all, or paint it in a contrasting color. The choice is totally up to your taste, if you highlight the trim with a different color you can show off the shape and design of the room.

Ceilings that are extremely high like vaulted or multi angled can cause a significant trouble. In low spaces like attics, keeping the color consistent from wall to ceiling could be the best idea.

You also have the option of using optical illusion to open a space up. Place a chair rail a little lower than waist high all around the room, now paint the area beneath it a darker color than above.

Vertical stripes are another good visual trick; the stripes enhance the vertical and draw the vision upward giving the illusion that the ceiling is higher. In attics that receive little or no light it is best to use light colors for the walls and ceiling and most of the furniture to make the area as bright as possible.

Choosing dark low-key tones will make the area sheltered and warm feeling like a private hideaway. Alternatively, you can use colorful accessories or furniture to add color to a light colored room.

Taking the color from the ceiling to the floor in a cathedral type room is not necessary just because there is not trim to provide a boundary.

Certain design features like trim and timbers can make it a lot easier to determine the boundaries between one color and another, however you can actually start a new color where to planes meet. Before you start painting, you will need to tape off the ceiling in a sharply straight line. This is very important because an uneven line can ruin the whole effect.

Varying the color from the wall to the ceiling brings all eyes back to the living area instead of the dizzying heights the ceiling may reach.

If you have a space, where the walls are angled harshly to the ceiling then using one color up to the flat area will keep the space open and airy. If you are so inclined, you can add trim in the form of crown molding to designate the separation between wall and ceiling.

There are more ways to get color on your ceiling. If you are fond of wood grains and a more natural look, why not try placing some paneling on the ceiling?

Leon Tuberman has almost 40 years of experience in interior decorating and home furnishings. He is the owner and operator of a furniture store specialzing in heirloom quality American made bedroom, living room and dining room furniture. They carry a huge selection of handmade furniture in styles such as Shaker, Arts & Crafts, Contemporary, Traditional and Mission style furniture.