How many times have you watched a suspense thriller and find the good guy is looking exhaustingly for the bad guy only to hear the words come out of your mouth…"Look Up!"  And voila, there he/she is, looming in the rafters ready to strike at any moment.

Perhaps not so dramatic but important are the ceilings above our own heads!  When was the last time you looked up and took notice of what's going on above your head?

There's quite a bit to be said from a Feng Shui perspective about the proverbial "roof over your head".  As its proximity is closed to the 'head' of the body, the problems associated with unfavorable ceiling designs are related to mental concerns such as headaches, stress, pressure, lack of clarity, emotional issues and other health issues.

Let's look at some designs that work against Feng Shui principles:

•    Sloped or slanted ceilings:  can cause mental imbalance
•    Low ceilings:  pressure, stress and emotional instability may arise
•    High ceilings:  when very high, they lack intimacy and can make one feel isolated
•    Exposed beams:  create pressure and even headaches, especially those we sit, sleep or stand under for significant periods of time
•    Ceiling fans:  directly overhead or over our bodies while sleeping can cause physical health issues
•    Dark colors on the ceiling:  can lead to depression

There are a couple beneficial remedies to consider if you discover you have these faux pas.

•    If beams are your concern, paint them the same color as the ceiling in order to make them disappear into the background.  Also, avoid sitting, standing or sleeping directly underneath them especially if they are big and heavy.
•    If a sloped ceiling is identified, you can create a false ceiling of equal height with fabric or other materials.  If a bed is situated under a slanted ceiling, consider a canopy.  And finally, you may add artwork on the wall that has an upward or uplifting image to give the sense of pushing up the low end of the ceiling.
•    If the ceiling is too low, consider objects that create an expansive feeling such as bright lights, especially upward shining lamps and furniture that is low to the ground and lightweight.
•    Ceiling fans that are directly overhead are best moved to a new location so they can still be enjoyed without the drawback.
•    A dark colored ceiling is best painted to be a lighter color than the floor or carpet.

So what's the best-case scenario when it comes to ceilings? For better mental and physical health, less stress and pressure, it's wise to have ceilings that are light in color, high but not too high, and flat or dome shaped without beams, slopes or varying heights.

So, when you walk into a space, don't forget to look up.  What's there does affect your health and well-being.