Most home decorators are unable to see beyond the smooth white or stucco decorated ceiling. While stucco decorations are popular, and can be quite artistic when done properly by a professional, their only aesthetic aspect is the relief.

For hundreds of years, decorating did not stop at the top of the walls. Many artists expanded the elements of ceiling art to include plaster designs, murals, recessed light mounts, trims of highly polished wood, ornate tin panels, and glass.

There is no reason why some of these elements cannot be added to today's suburban homes. When compared to the price of flooring and window treatments, ceiling tiles and decorations are not expensive.

Some of the most beautiful ceiling treatments are English and Coffered designs. Many of today's patterns rival those found in England's most beautiful manors.

A more cost effective alternative are ceiling patterns. These are very ornate and decorative designs made to look like wood relief patterns. These are not made to cover the entire ceiling, or cover flaws, but to add a decorative and artistic aspect to the room.

Many ceiling patters can be used to trim the ceiling, not between the wall and ceiling, but right on the ceiling, about 10” back from the edge.

Recessing the lights is not only for the basement or rec. room now. There are dozens of patterns of recessed lights that are trimmed with ornate metals to enhance ceilings that are less than 10 foot. These include baffles. Baffles are similar to recessed lighting, but are more ornate.

Ceiling art is the most overlooked aspect of home decorating. Most rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining rooms, do not need ceiling art. However, ceiling patterns can change the entire look of a foyer or a long hall, bringing symmetry and beauty to the entire area.

Another type of ceiling treatment is dropped ceilings. There are two types of dropped ceilings, those that hang on racks, and ceiling panels. Plane ceiling panels are perfect for low basements. They still have metal seams dividing the panels, but they are more decorative than the panels made for offices.

The second type of panel, the English or Coffer, are shaped like puzzle pieces. There are no seams, but they must be laid on-top of another ceiling. They are far too ornate for a rec-room or common room, and too expensive, but they are perfect for a dining room, or a large common room.

Dropped ceilings and ceiling panels offer no sound barrier or heat retention value. Their only purpose is aesthetic.

These alternatives to stucco give rooms a degree of beauty and elegance that cannot be achieved by the quality of flooring, the home decorating style, or even the quality of the home. All home decorators need to take time to study ceiling decorations before they start decorating the rest of the room.