Why You Should Paint Your Ceilings in These Colours
Be creative with the ceiling by clothing it in colours other than white
Stop treating the area that represents one-sixth of the room as an afterthought. A non-white coat of paint can turn the ceiling into a definitive element, adding character and style to any room. Here, we discuss three painting strategies that should help you choose the right colour for the fifth wall in your room.
Paradoxically, painting the ceiling darker than the walls gives a feeling of infinity, almost making the ceiling disappear, by making it seem higher than it is. This works for small rooms where, when you look up, you see the walls and the ceiling all at once. Then the effect of vanishing perspective comes into play. A pale trim between the wall and ceiling heightens the sense of distance.
A darker hue on the ceiling can help create a high-contrast look between your walls and ceiling and make the ceiling the focal point of a room.
Opt for a dramatic fire-engine red if you like bright, energetic colours; dark, moody tones, including black, navy and deep emerald, also pack a visual punch when used overhead.
Tip: Remember to keep things light and simple down below to ensure your ceiling remains in the spotlight.
Opt for a dramatic fire-engine red if you like bright, energetic colours; dark, moody tones, including black, navy and deep emerald, also pack a visual punch when used overhead.
Tip: Remember to keep things light and simple down below to ensure your ceiling remains in the spotlight.
Use a semi-glossy finish for really dark colours – the sheen softens the dark effect and also reflects enough light to keep the ceiling from overpowering the room.
2. Painting the ceiling a lighter colour than the walls
This technique has space-enhancing powers similar to those of a white ceiling – except that it does so with colourful élan. If you like simplicity, yet wish for a mildly contrasting look, paint your ceiling lighter than your walls.
This technique has space-enhancing powers similar to those of a white ceiling – except that it does so with colourful élan. If you like simplicity, yet wish for a mildly contrasting look, paint your ceiling lighter than your walls.
If you’d like to repeat the wall colour on the ceiling but in a lighter shade, the standard technique is to dilute your paint with a ratio of 80 per cent white paint to 20 per cent coloured paint (which you used on the walls). This strategy is perfect for opening up small spaces or making rooms with lower ceilings seem roomier.
Here are some great shades to pick from if you want colour, but not too much of it: pale grey, lime green, sky blue or butter yellow.
If you have decided to douse the room in the same colour, pay attention primarily to the size of the room. For a small space, a darker hue (chocolate, dark grey, red) will envelop the room and make it seem smaller and more intimate. If you want a more expansive feel, opt for a lighter shade that evokes a restful, soothing mood, like pale grey, pale turquoise blue or pink.
In a room with an angled or an oddly shaped ceiling, this single-colour treatment will unify the space and focus attention on your furniture and decor.
You could choose to introduce a break in the seamless look by highlighting the crown moulding or other trim with a contrasting colour; highlighting the trim puts the focus on the architecture and its minute details.
If you wish to experiment with the monochrome look, don’t worry about which colour to pick – you have the entire spectrum of colours to choose from, as these pictures testify.
These ideas may have got you started to thinking about the big expanse over your head. Trust me, employing any of these three methods should get you a ceiling worth looking up to!
Read more:
How to Top Off Your Room With a Showstopper Ceiling
8 Ceiling Designs That Steal The Show
Tell us:
Have you painted your ceiling? Do share pictures in Comments below.
These ideas may have got you started to thinking about the big expanse over your head. Trust me, employing any of these three methods should get you a ceiling worth looking up to!
Read more:
How to Top Off Your Room With a Showstopper Ceiling
8 Ceiling Designs That Steal The Show
Tell us:
Have you painted your ceiling? Do share pictures in Comments below.
This can significantly alter your sense of space. In a high-ceilinged room, dark paint creates the illusion of lowering the ceiling and makes the room feel more cosy and intimate.