Ceilings tend to be white and use matt paint (see sheen levels). Matt paint is great at hiding flaws in the surface, and not drawing attention to the ceiling. Ceilings are also almost always white, as this tends to help the ceiling visually ‘recede’ and add to the feeling of space in a room.

If you do want to have a colour to tone the ceiling into the room's scheme, the general rule is never more than 25% tint of the wall colour, unless it is very high and you want to give the effect of the ceiling being lower (see making a big room smaller).

Always paint your ceiling first as splatters tend to get on the walls.