Dress your walls up & perhaps the ceilings too ...

Painting a ceiling is another way to create impactful design. "Ceilings are often an afterthought, but I like to accent them because it can really change the entire mood of the space. Highlighting them with a dark color or a patterned wallpaper all of a sudden elevates the entire design," says Kelly Sutton of Sutton House. Black ceilings can make a small space feel larger, explains Caitlin Murray of Black Lacquer Design, located in Los Angeles. "I chose a velvety black for the ceiling to make the space feel that much larger. As counterintuitive as it might sound, a black ceiling can open up a small space and create the illusion that the ceilings are higher than they really are. In this particular space, the black ceiling and bright white walls also balanced the more saturated hues of the furnishings and decor."