How to Cover Up an Ugly Ceiling
These smart solutions show you the many ways you can give your unsightly ceiling a winning makeover
If outdated textures, ugly ceiling tiles, unattractive crown mouldings, jarring paint or damaged drywall on your ceiling are getting you down, it’s time to give this fifth wall a revamp. Here are some options.
Tip: Glossy paint on a ceiling reflects the space under it and can create the illusion of a voluminous room. Great for rooms with low heights.
Plaster of Paris
Consider covering your ceiling with POP, which is available in a powdered form and is mixed with water on site. The advantage of POP is that it can be moulded into any shape and there are endless designs that can be created with this for the ceiling.
Tip: A POP mixture needs to be prepared properly with water and in the right proportions. If not done right, it can turn out to be of inferior quality, leading to shrinking or cracking of the ceiling. For long-term durability make sure only skilled workers prepare the POP mixture on site. Also, keep in mind that the process of preparing and applying POP is messy and lengthy; plus, you will need to clean up a lot afterwards.
Consider covering your ceiling with POP, which is available in a powdered form and is mixed with water on site. The advantage of POP is that it can be moulded into any shape and there are endless designs that can be created with this for the ceiling.
Tip: A POP mixture needs to be prepared properly with water and in the right proportions. If not done right, it can turn out to be of inferior quality, leading to shrinking or cracking of the ceiling. For long-term durability make sure only skilled workers prepare the POP mixture on site. Also, keep in mind that the process of preparing and applying POP is messy and lengthy; plus, you will need to clean up a lot afterwards.
Wallpaper
One of the quickest ways to cover up an ugly ceiling is by using wallpaper. This treatment is recommended for smooth ceilings that have no moisture seepage problems.
On uneven, exposed concrete ceiling, wallpaper can look patchy. It’s best to scrape away any texture, fill all holes, sand the surface and remove all dust and dirt and then apply a primer before putting up wallpaper.
Browse through more images of ceiling wallpaper
One of the quickest ways to cover up an ugly ceiling is by using wallpaper. This treatment is recommended for smooth ceilings that have no moisture seepage problems.
On uneven, exposed concrete ceiling, wallpaper can look patchy. It’s best to scrape away any texture, fill all holes, sand the surface and remove all dust and dirt and then apply a primer before putting up wallpaper.
Browse through more images of ceiling wallpaper
Fabric canopy
This may seem a little far-fetched for public spaces – say a living room or a dining area. However, if you want to temporarily change the look of your bedroom and are hunting for ideas to cover the ceiling or a patch of it, long drapes of fabric attached from the ceiling to the wall could be an option. Just like in this image, the space would transform into a whimsical, cosy retreat. You will, however, need to clean and maintain the fabric on a regular basis.
See more spaces that cover ugly ceilings with fabric canopies
This may seem a little far-fetched for public spaces – say a living room or a dining area. However, if you want to temporarily change the look of your bedroom and are hunting for ideas to cover the ceiling or a patch of it, long drapes of fabric attached from the ceiling to the wall could be an option. Just like in this image, the space would transform into a whimsical, cosy retreat. You will, however, need to clean and maintain the fabric on a regular basis.
See more spaces that cover ugly ceilings with fabric canopies
Ceiling tiles
Removing old tiles or installing tiles on drywall can take a fair amount of time – however, if you’re up to the task, aluminium, steel, leather or tin ceiling tiles can lend a classic look to the home.
Tip: For a designer look in a large room, consider mixing and matching two or more ceiling tiles to create a pattern.
Removing old tiles or installing tiles on drywall can take a fair amount of time – however, if you’re up to the task, aluminium, steel, leather or tin ceiling tiles can lend a classic look to the home.
Tip: For a designer look in a large room, consider mixing and matching two or more ceiling tiles to create a pattern.
Wooden ceiling beams
Wood has an inherent warm appeal and can add a touch of earthiness to a space. By introducing wooden ceiling beams, you can enhance not only the look of the fifth wall but also the overall look of the room.
Tip: Wooden beams are also a stylish solution for hiding pipes, ducts, exposed wires or any building elements that may be visible.
Take a look at these wooden ceiling designs
Wood has an inherent warm appeal and can add a touch of earthiness to a space. By introducing wooden ceiling beams, you can enhance not only the look of the fifth wall but also the overall look of the room.
Tip: Wooden beams are also a stylish solution for hiding pipes, ducts, exposed wires or any building elements that may be visible.
Take a look at these wooden ceiling designs
Crown moulding
If your ceiling has a dull, drab look and you want to add a decorative touch to its design, consider experimenting with crown or cornice mouldings. These features decorate the meeting point of the walls and the ceiling, creating an aesthetic transition. You could choose from simple straight lines to intricate silhouettes or thick panelling.
Browse through this essential guide for mouldings
If your ceiling has a dull, drab look and you want to add a decorative touch to its design, consider experimenting with crown or cornice mouldings. These features decorate the meeting point of the walls and the ceiling, creating an aesthetic transition. You could choose from simple straight lines to intricate silhouettes or thick panelling.
Browse through this essential guide for mouldings
Suspended grid
A time-consuming but eye-catching addition – a suspended metal grid like this can be experimented with in homes that have high ceilings, as these drop-down contraptions reduce the height of the ceiling. These features can cover the existing ugly ceiling design and impart a new design aesthetic to the space.
A time-consuming but eye-catching addition – a suspended metal grid like this can be experimented with in homes that have high ceilings, as these drop-down contraptions reduce the height of the ceiling. These features can cover the existing ugly ceiling design and impart a new design aesthetic to the space.
False ceiling – gypsum board
These boards or panels are available in a prefabricated ready-to-install form. This material is fire-resistant, durable and versatile.
Torn between gypsum board and POP?
These boards or panels are available in a prefabricated ready-to-install form. This material is fire-resistant, durable and versatile.
Torn between gypsum board and POP?
Decorative interventions
Of course, you could redesign an unsightly ceiling and take it to a whole new level. A mirror cutwork ceiling like this will definitely take some time, patience and a sizeable budget, but it can lend a dazzling look to the space.
Read more:
How to Top Off Your Room With a Showstopper Ceiling
Tell us:
Have you recently fixed your unattractive ceiling? How did you do it? Share your ideas in Comments below.
Of course, you could redesign an unsightly ceiling and take it to a whole new level. A mirror cutwork ceiling like this will definitely take some time, patience and a sizeable budget, but it can lend a dazzling look to the space.
Read more:
How to Top Off Your Room With a Showstopper Ceiling
Tell us:
Have you recently fixed your unattractive ceiling? How did you do it? Share your ideas in Comments below.
If you’re looking for a quick solution to an ugly ceiling, then painting is one of the most cost-effective permanent ones. Lighter paint colours give the illusion of expanded space, while dark colours create a snug, warm environment.
Take a look at more black ceilings