In boldly colored rooms,
handsome architectural features
are enhanced with white.

Classic White

White ceilings are often the best choice for a room. White overhead tends to disappear, so your attention focuses on the walls and furnishings.

A white ceiling also offsets intense wall color: boldly colored walls look crisp and sharp, and the ceiling feels higher. If the walls are pale and therefore space-expanding, a white ceiling opens the space even more.

In rooms that receive scant natural light, a white ceiling helps boost the perceived illumination by reflecting whatever light is available.

Like any other color element in the room, a white ceiling needs an echo, something to help integrate it into the scheme: Woodwork, carpet, draperies, and even bedding can serve the purpose. Otherwise the room will feel out of balance.

Which white is right? The basic ceiling white can look too stark and clinical, but paint companies offer a range of cool and warm whites, so select one with the warm or cool undertones you'd like to bring into your room.