Most residential interior spaces, rooms, are based on some variation of the rectangle.

This rectangular shape can be manifest in virtually unlimited variations and sizes.

This specific shape has six planes.

The wall will be four of these planes. Various openings, doors and windows, will be cut into the walls and various additions such as cabinets, moldings, and light fixtures can be added. The finishing material, color, texture, and pattern are chosen.

The floor, the fifth plane, has to be built for weight and stability, finishing material chosen, color and texture selected, and the use of rugs decided.

Much thought, and input, is extended for these five planes to manifest the ambiance and function of the room.

The ceiling, the sixth plane, is usually painted white and ignored.

Why?

The ceiling and floor are basically the same area, and yet, one is designed with great efforts and planning, and the other is not.

The ceiling is often treated as the unwanted stepchild of a room.

The principles shown here can be applied to non-rectangular situations.

Many of the international residential interior design photographs, which come across my desk, have walls and ceilings expressed similarly so that the results appear as designed furnishings in a box.

Get out of your rut. Expand and explore traditional approaches. Use your intelligence for creativity and imagination.

If you want to experience the highest levels of beauty, think of rooms as six planes manifestations with each plane being an equal part in the final complete aesthetic composition.

How would you evaluate the ceilings, of where you live, for their overall contribution to the enhancement of your house?

Food for thought.