For far too long, ceilings have been the wallflowers of the decorating world—quiet, overlooked, and invariably painted white, as if they had nothing to contribute. But times are changing. Ceilings, it turns out, have feelings too. And lately, they’ve been expressing them with surprising flair.

While today’s trend for painted or papered ceilings may feel excitingly new, it’s actually an age-old idea. From the coffered ceilings of English manor houses to the frescoed vaults of Italian palazzi, from the gilded salons of Paris to the richly painted domes of Indian havelis—people have been looking up in admiration for centuries. Somewhere along the way, we stopped. Possibly around the time magnolia paint became a thing.

Now, as colour confidence grows and the tyranny of white emulsion loosens its grip, ceilings are re-emerging as a powerful design element. Beyond the popular colour-drenching approach, a ceiling treated with intention—be it painted, wallpapered or subtly glazed—can anchor a room, shift proportions, or inject a dose of magic where you least expect it.

If your space is feeling flat or unfinished, it might be time to check in with your fifth wall. Because ceilings have feelings—and when you show them a little love, they tend to return the favour.