Reinvent a Room by Painting the Ceiling With Color

If the ceiling is the fifth wall, why not allow it to serve as the room's most dramatic accent? Deep shades like Behr's Delicious Berry, shown here, add warmth and drama — and, as Behr color director Erika Woelfel notes, "a splash of color can make small rooms seem larger." (ThisOldHouse.com)

One of the fastest, easiest ways to give a space a sophisticated look is to unite the ceiling and walls with a single color set off by crisp white trim. "If the color on the wall seems too saturated, then look at it on the paint strip and go up one or two colors to find a lighter one for the ceiling," says Dee Schlotter, a color expert at PPG Pittsburgh Paints. "It will still provide a more finished look than the usual flat white." This bedroom gets its polish from PPG Pittsburgh Paints' Evening Glow. READ: All About Interior Paint (ThisOldHouse.com)

A plain white room becomes something else again when capped by a zesty, unexpected shade. In this small kitchen, Valspar's vivid Sassy Green offsets the boxy effect while injecting a needed dose of energy. The result is an atmosphere that is friendlier and more welcoming. Tip: To soften the sharp edges of a soffit, paint it the same color as the ceiling. (ThisOldHouse.com)

Color can keep a high-ceilinged room from feeling unmoored. Barbara Richardson, a color expert who works with Glidden, favors shades that create an enveloping feel. Here, Glidden's Golden Bronze is balanced by pale neutrals and ample light. Dark accents pull the room together and also help keep it grounded. READ: Decorative Paint Effects Made Easy (ThisOldHouse.com)