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11. Because you’re a rebellious teenager. I know — I said that black ceilings are not just something a rebellious teenager would do. But that doesn’t mean a rebellious teenager couldn’t do it. Whether your adolescent craves Dr. Dre or Richard Avedon, black ceilings are a great complement to posters and photographs, elevating them to gallery-worthy status. More: See 5 great black and white homes

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0. To draw attention to a view. Sure, this view would be beautiful even if the ceiling were white. But notice how the black surface draws your eyes toward the vista, kind of like a red carpet unfurling in front of you?

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9. To define an area. It can be hard distinguishing one space from another within an open floor plan. A black ceiling can do the trick, without the hassle of room dividers or area rugs.

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8. Because the walls are black. If you’re going to take the plunge and paint your walls black, do you really want to wimp out on the ceiling? The bedroom here is dramatic and supremely sexy, but it wouldn’t have worked half as well without the black ceiling. The same holds true for this bath. Since bathrooms are self-contained spaces, and people don’t usually spend a great deal of time in them, they’re an excellent place to try something a little bit daring. (The white trim helps to make it work)

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7. To conceal a mess. It can be tough to hide all the ductwork in a basement ceiling. Covering it with drywall can rob you of precious headroom (not to mention money). An inexpensive solution is to paint the whole thing black. It won’t eliminate the problem entirely, but it’ll make the mechanics far less prominent without lowering the ceiling’s height.

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6. Because the rest of the room is black and white. Chaplin, houndstooth, The New Yorker — some things just look better in black and white. In this case the black ceiling is a nice echo of the black floor, and the stringent motif makes the few touches of color pop.

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5. To add drama. Take away the furnishings and finishes in this room, and you’ve got a pretty humble plasterboard box. The black ceiling adds architectural interest where none existed and makes the space feel far more interesting.

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4. To make a ceiling look taller. Sounds like a contradiction, right? But when you can’t see the boundaries of a room, it can appear bigger. This is especially true if you paint the tops of the walls black as well

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3. To make a ceiling look lower. High ceilings always sound good. But in reality, they can make a space feel cold and imposing. Black paint will make the ceiling feel lower without sacrificing space.

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2. To emphasize trim. Got some awesome millwork? Make it pop by painting the surrounding surfaces black.

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Black Ceilings 1. To echo other elements in the room. If there’s a lot of black elsewhere in the room, a black ceiling can tie things together and create a unified look.

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DON'T: Be a copycat. Grossly duplicating someone else's design essentially means you re-created a space for them in your home. By doing this you have satisfied their wants and needs instead of your own. DO: Do your own homework. There's nothing wrong with using a designed space as a catalyst for your project. But then take the next step and ask yourself what attracts you to it. Is it the vibrant Missoni rug that makes your heart leap, or is it the perfect furniture plan for your family room? Then build your design based on your own wishes.

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DO: Be patient as you build a collection. In the same home office shown in the previous photo, a trio of framed black and white photographs also makes an impact as the homeowner waits to acquire other meaningful pieces.

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DON'T: Try to do it all at once. A weekend shopping spree provides instant gratification. While you may be in love with the newness of the room, it will eventually wear off when you realize the room is full of thoughtless purchases. The framed flag shown here has great significance to the homeowner. It's a wonderful focal point for the beginning of an elaborate gallery wall.

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DON'T: Work without a plan. Designing a space without a plan is like a novice cook preparing a meal without a recipe. The end result has a greater chance of being lackluster, unpalatable and a waste of ingredients. DO: Gather your resources. A recipe for a well-designed space contains a list of desired functions, a space plan, inspiration photos, a budget and a list of fabulous finds. Having these in one central place will keep you focused and on the path to a delectable design. Add to ideabook by Thom Filicia Inc. by Thom Filicia Inc.

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DON'T: Overcrowd your space. Outfitting a room with items that are traditionally found in the space can sometimes be too much of a good thing. DO: Be selective. Decide what items you need in a room for it to function for your lifestyle. Next decide which of those functional items can dually serve as decoration. In this kitchen a bright collection of cookbooks demonstrates what's essential for this cook and adds jolts of color to a blank canvas.

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Add to ideabook by Diane Bergeron Interiors by Diane Bergeron Interiors DON'T: Follow trends religiously. Constantly redesigning your space to reflect the latest trends leaves no room to insert your own creativity. It can also be both expensive and exhausting. DO: Design a space that contains the classics you love. Then accessorize with a few trendy pieces that actually speak to your design aesthetic. In this family room, blue slipcovers and pillow covers allow for versatility when the next cool trend arises.

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