Does a ceiling have to be white?

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That's an easy one.  Of course the answer is no, but very few people veer away from this standard. If you're feeling adventurous and want to break away from the pack  here are some suggestions.

Consider practicalities 
When you decide to paint your ceiling a colour you need to think about  how that colour will flow into other rooms both physically and visually.

Is there a place (e.g., molding or beam) where you can stop the colour? 

Urban Homes

 The ceiling in the kitchen is on a different plane than the living room, thus providing an easy break for painting.

How will the colour look when viewed from the next room or rooms?

In the room above the ceiling is acting as an "accent wall" and flows nicely into the living room.  The same blue is used in hints around the room creating a visual flow.

Will you have to  change the colour again when you paint your walls? 

Chances are you will.  Are you up to painting several coats to cover a colour?

Is your ceiling in good condition?  

Flaws will show up more with darker colours.

Consider ceiling height
How high is your ceiling?  Nine feet or above will provide lots of height for darker or warmer colours.

 Beverly Bradshaw Interiors

Allison Cosmos

 However, if you have standard ceilings (8 feet) and your rooms are smallish you might consider lighter, cooler colours to help the ceiling recede and give the feeling of greater distance.

via Gus and Lulu

 

  Traditional Home

Blue seems to be a popular ceiling colour.

Consider your  wall colour

DecorPad

If you really want to paint your ceiling and aren't sure which colour to choose, take the cue from your wall colour and simply go several values lighter.

 Toby Fairley 

Or keep the ceiling and walls the same colour and break it up with crown moulding.....

 or go a value or two darker for the ceiling.

Consider your trim colour
 If you have a trim colour other than white/cream, look to it for ideas for your ceiling.These room have a very pulled together look by using the trim  colour  as a branching off point.

Real Simple

 The ceiling is darker than the trim colour

 Catalyst Architects, LLC

 The ceiling is the same colour as the trim. 

Consider your accessories 

This is where things could get exciting...

Tineke Triggs

Can you imagine this room with a red ceiling?

 Elizabeth Gordon