Back in the day, you might have pinned a poster of your latest heartthrob to your ceiling. And then later, maybe you draped a dark pink tapestry across the overhead light so a rosy glow would bathe your bedroom.
Sure, these were juvenile stabs at ceiling decor. But why must the go-to look for adult ceilings be basic white paint? Or maybe (gasp!) beige?
Truth: If you’re not doing something kind of dramatic on your ceiling, you’re missing out on a rare chance to express yourself.
Known as “the fifth wall” in design-speak, ceiling decor is having a moment right now. Are you ready for some help on how to add some drama to this wide-open space? Then read on for decor treatments that’ll help amp up the look of your house.
Which ceiling works best for a zhuzh?
Wondering which of the many ceilings in your home is the right one for some fresh paint or a fun design?
While any room is available for a new treatment, certain areas are prime candidates for a ceiling update, including the bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining areas.
Bathrooms are often a snooze, yet one with lively wallpaper on the ceiling instantly becomes a conversation starter.
Bedrooms and dining areas are already cozy spaces. And with the right paper or hue overhead, the feeling in these areas can become almost cocoonlike.
Grab a striking color
You might cringe when your child begs for a purple bedroom, but the compromise is easy. Splash that eggplant on the fifth wall and quell the argument fast.
Adults can have the ceilings of their dreams, too, say the pros.
“I’m working on a bedroom project now, and we want it to feel more feminine,” says Jen Dallas of the eponymous design firm. She chose some wallpaper for the wall behind the bed and then suggested painting the ceiling pink.
Go a shade deeper with white
Still can’t quit 50 shades of white on the ceiling? We hear you.
Dallas says that if you’re painting the walls and ceiling the same shade, “add 50% more white to the wall color so it adds depth to the ceiling and connects to the walls nicely.”
Or mix texture with your neutral paint choice on the ceiling with white or lightly speckled ceiling tiles.
Install some molding
Photo by Candace Cavanaugh Interiors
A curvy design on high is an attractive way to jazz up a ceiling—and it’s a fan favorite among the design set.
“My ultimate love for ceilings is plaster molding—especially ceiling medallions and trim to create a mood and character that no other material can offer,” says Dallas.
The classic choice here is a medallion with a light fixture, like a chandelier, installed in the middle. To keep costs low, check out medallion options made from wood, metal, or plastic composite. Plain circles, floral designs, or other decorative motifs abound for this ceiling treatment.
Pamela O’Brien, interior decorator at Pamela Hope Designs, votes for a coffered ceiling (an architectural detail made up of squares or rectangles laid in a grid).
“Interesting patterns can be created with wood and millwork,” she notes.
Add some shine
If you really want to draw all eyes upward, add shine to your ceiling. Sure, glossy paint takes some courage to put up—and a pro to really do the job right. But the results may be worth it.
“A shiny ceiling look is fantastic, but it does require fine finishing work and a very smooth surface to begin with,” explains O’Brien.
Not sure your ceiling is up to par? Start by getting quotes to refinish the coating you have.
“With a smooth finish on the ceiling, you can do nearly any kind of decorative treatment,” adds O’Brien. “But a heavily textured surface needs to be prepped for glossy paint, faux paint, or wallpaper.”
Love that vintage pressed-tin look on the ceiling? It can be yours in a mudroom, laundry space, the kitchen, or bedroom, as seen here with a small design placed over the bed.
“A metal ceiling gives you a cool, vintage vibe,” says O’Brien.
As with molding overhead, you don’t necessarily need to use actual metal here. Composite materials, metallic paper, or even paint can stand in for the real deal.
And speaking of metallics, for those with extra funds, gold leaf or a high-end heavy golden wallpaper can take your cook space from workaday to wow in just a couple of days.
