I want to install hardwood floors in my home. We have wood on the high ceilings that I think is some kind of clear cedar (house was built in the late 60s). What I want to know is whether the wood flooring should be installed running the same direction as the ceiling or should it go the opposite way? Part of the floor will be down a long, wide hallway and I want to avoid a bowling alley look, but at the same time, would it look strange to have the floor running one way and the ceiling another? I'm also not sure whether to try to match the color of the ceiling which is medium color, or should I just go really light or really dark? I'm preplexed!

The main determination would be what substrate you have, and whether it is stapled/glue down or a floating floor.

Over a slab you would every option.

Floating floor every option.

Over a plywood/OSB subfloor and floor joists that is stapled or glued down you should run the flooring across the joists or on a diagonal.