• Wood planks adds warmth and interest to cathedral walls.rotating ceiling fan image by Yali Shi from Fotolia.com
  
  Sloped or arched walls form cathedral ceilings. These ceilings are very desirable features within a home, making a room feel expansive and filled with light. However, these sloped walls present a variety of challenges when it comes to the room's decor. Decide whether to take a minimalist approach or heavily emphasize your cathedral ceiling and walls.
  
  

Paint, Panel or Paper

• Most cathedral ceilings are painted white. Light colors are a good choice because they reflect plenty of light, but you may decide to use a dark or bright shade to accent the geometry of this ceiling configuration. Paint the walls and ceiling the same color to create a warm and cozy feel or hire a mural artist to create a one-of-a-kind artistic statement on these sloped surfaces. Add a higher level of detail to your cathedral walls and ceiling by installing wood panels or planks on the surface. Decorative molding or beams also lend warmth to the space while adding old-world charm. Another way to add color and texture to your ceiling and walls is by hanging wallpaper. Choose a simple, tight pattern or consider adhering a wallpaper graphic to the surface.
  
  

Create an Art Gallery

• Although it is difficult to hang art on a sloped surface, if your cathedral ceiling begins low on the wall and slopes steeply, you can easily create an art gallery. Group several small paintings or choose a few dynamic, larger canvases. Attach the paintings using brackets or hang them from a picture rail so that they remain vertical.
  
  

Take the Minimalist Approach

• Your first impulse may be to add color and texture to your cathedral walls and ceiling, but, in some cases, less is more. Paint the surfaces a flat white, beige or gray and keep the look modern by avoiding fussy trim or cluttering the walls with decorative accessories. Choose larger scale furniture to balance the height of the space and soften the room's decor with rugs and plush pillows or fabrics.
  
  

Light for Drama

• A cathedral ceiling provides interesting opportunities to light the space. Install track lighting at the peak of the ceiling and aim the heads to wash down the sloped walls. If you prefer a more traditional approach, hang decorative wall sconces just below the point that the walls slope into your cathedral ceiling. Admit natural light by punching skylights into your ceiling's sloped surfaces.