Colourful Ceilings – 14 Ideas

Let’s face it.  Painting the ceiling is not pleasant. You have to rotate your neck into uncomfortable positions, raise the roller over you head and roll back and forth – all the while trying not to splatter paint all over your face, furniture, floor, etc.  And let’s not even talk about going up and down the ladder to cut around the light fixtures and walls.   Maybe that’s why our customers pick up WALL paint to give their room a new look but often (conveniently) forget about the ceilings.

Not painting the ceiling, or the “fifth wall” as it is sometimes called, can be a missed opportunity not only to freshen up your home but also add colour to your design.  Skipping the traditional white paint and going with a bolder choice can have stunning results.  Below are some of my favourite non-white ceilings from Houzz.  Scroll through, Pin your favorite and click on each photo for more.  When you’re done, don’t forget to read my ceiling paint tips below.

Now that you’re inspired to paint the ceilings here are a couple of things to keep in mind.

• If you’re ceilings are less than perfect choose a flat paint.  It will minimize any surface imperfections and prevent glare when you turn on the lights.  On the flip side, if you have wooden or paneled ceilings a slight sheen (like an eggshell) will diffuse light making the entire room glow.
• Roll SLOWLY and pick a high quality roller like lambswool or microfiber to prevent splatter.  Even if you plan on being extra careful, I would still recommend moving all your furniture into the middle of the room and covering it with an old sheet or plastic drop cloth.  Similarly, protect your floors with drop cloths to prevent hours of clean up.  Your knees will thank you.
• When picking a colour, you can choose a shade lighter than the wall paint colour (we usually use ¼ strength) for a cohesive look or if you want a more dramatic result, coordinate the ceiling with fabrics or artwork already in the room.  Keep the rest of the decor neutral so as not to create a busy space.
• Want to bring the ceiling down in a tall open space to make the room feel cozier?  Look for rich earth tones like beiges and golds.
• If you want to make the ceiling appear taller try light shades of cool tones like blues or greys.
• In a small room minimize contrast by painting the walls and ceilings the same colour.  Since your eyes won’t see a visual break your brain will make the room feel bigger.

For more beautiful rooms visit our Pinterest Boards here or check back for my next post.

Happy Painting!