The ceiling is one of the least thought of ‘walls’ in the home, every room has one, but can you say much about yours? If you have one of the famous 1970 popcorn finished ceilings you may do your best to ignore it unless you can have it professionally removed. Check with your local contractor to make sure it isn’t old enough to contain asbestos, which will require a Hazardous Materials Professional to remove it and dispose of it.

If you have a plain flat ceiling you can add architectural interest by adding flat firing strips to mimic a pattern for added depth. If you have ceilings taller than the standard 8’ height you can consider adding heavier lumber for a coffered ceiling.

Then again you can ‘just add paint’; my standard for easy change. Most ceilings are painted either white or they match the wall color. You can add some design to ceilings for added interest by simply painting it a contrasting color or painting a wide band on the ceiling that is the same color as the walls and leave the center painted white or another complimentary color.

If you like you can add a decorative wall covering framed in wood trim as a ‘frame’ in the ceiling above a pool table or dining room table. Maybe a ‘frame’ of small halogen track lights over modern living space; this will give you a loft feeling.

A stencil might work around a light fixture that needs a bit of enhancing. So begin thinking about that 5th wall and come up with something unusual for your home.