It takes a bit of daring to paint a ceiling black; if we lived in a space with lofty ceilings and intricate mouldings, we'd be tempted. Color experts say a dark ceiling helps make a cavernous space feel more intimate; if you're not ready for a full-on noirish effect, charcoal gray is another moody shade to consider.

Above: An antler chandelier topped with red lampshades makes a dramatic counterpoint to the black ceiling; photo via OWI.

Above: A wood ceiling stained black in the loft of Dutch designer Paula Leen.

Above: A warehouse transformed into a living space, via OWI.

Above: An otherwise white, bright kitchen with a contrasting black ceiling in a Madrid loft; photo via Kikette.

Above: Anna of Door Sixteen was a trailblazer when she painted her bath ceiling black a couple of years ago (she used Olympic Knights Armor eggshell); "By painting the upper portion of the walls and ceiling black, I was able to give the room a greater feeling of width and space," she says.

Above: A Noguchi Akari lantern and a pitch-dark ceiling add a modern note to this dining room by the McGill Design Group.