Decorating
What Colour Should You Paint the Ceiling?
Need a change? Slather on some ceiling colour for an instant – and eyecatching – transformation
Painting your ceiling can seem like a daring move, but as these rooms demonstrate, it ain’t necessarily so! A bright or beautiful hue can bring a layer of personality to a space that just can’t be achieved with wall paint alone. These homes will have you thinking of ceiling paint in a whole new way. Just don’t be surprised if you look up at your own ceiling when you’ve finished reading – oh, the possibilities!
Turquoise
A deeper shade of a similar hue can take an art deco bathroom to new heights, especially in a monochrome setting like this one. Imagine the same retro bathroom with a white ceiling. Still nice, but not nearly as fetching.
COLOUR TO TRY: Dulux ‘Magnetic Magic’
A deeper shade of a similar hue can take an art deco bathroom to new heights, especially in a monochrome setting like this one. Imagine the same retro bathroom with a white ceiling. Still nice, but not nearly as fetching.
COLOUR TO TRY: Dulux ‘Magnetic Magic’
Yellow
The usual approach in a child’s bedroom is to add loads of colour with bright bedding, rugs and curtains … or if they’re really lucky, a feature wall. A painted ceiling means the room is still bright and cheery but you don’t have to go overboard with colour in the soft furnishings. A yellow with a hint of green in it will add an edge of sophistication to any room – just what a child’s room needs if it’s going to stand the test of time.
COLOUR TO TRY: Taubmans ‘Cubanelle’
The usual approach in a child’s bedroom is to add loads of colour with bright bedding, rugs and curtains … or if they’re really lucky, a feature wall. A painted ceiling means the room is still bright and cheery but you don’t have to go overboard with colour in the soft furnishings. A yellow with a hint of green in it will add an edge of sophistication to any room – just what a child’s room needs if it’s going to stand the test of time.
COLOUR TO TRY: Taubmans ‘Cubanelle’
What could be cheerier than a canary yellow ceiling in the kitchen? Pair it with grey and white for a contemporary rather than country vibe.
COLOUR TO TRY: Haymes
‘Texas Yellow’ (2013)
Spoon stool: Kartell
COLOUR TO TRY: Haymes
‘Texas Yellow’ (2013)
Spoon stool: Kartell
Yellow paired with black and white can be just as winning a combination.
COLOUR TO TRY: Dulux ‘Sunbound’
COLOUR TO TRY: Dulux ‘Sunbound’
Black
White is a common choice for ceilings because it makes a room feel bigger, but what if you want a room to feel cosier or ultra-chic rather than bigger? Black furnishings and window frames work brilliantly with the black ceiling and lighting choices in this living room; a white ceiling may well have made it feel cold.
TIP: An ultra-flat paint on the ceiling will help it disappear off into infinity rather than encroach on the room, as a paint with any amount of gloss in it can.
COLOUR TO TRY: Porter’s Original Paints ‘Van Helsing’
White is a common choice for ceilings because it makes a room feel bigger, but what if you want a room to feel cosier or ultra-chic rather than bigger? Black furnishings and window frames work brilliantly with the black ceiling and lighting choices in this living room; a white ceiling may well have made it feel cold.
TIP: An ultra-flat paint on the ceiling will help it disappear off into infinity rather than encroach on the room, as a paint with any amount of gloss in it can.
COLOUR TO TRY: Porter’s Original Paints ‘Van Helsing’
Far from making this room look smaller, the black ceiling actually works to boost its perceived proportions. Architect Emilio Fuscaldo from Nest Architects says fixing white timber battens to the ceiling and painting the ceiling behind the battens black is a strategic move in a room with low ceilings. “This way people can’t get a sense of how tall the ceiling is as the battens trick the eye – if you can see through something it looks further away,” Fuscaldo says.
COLOUR TO TRY: Haymes ‘Intrigue’ (NG24)
Green vintage Hans Wegner sofa: twenty21
COLOUR TO TRY: Haymes ‘Intrigue’ (NG24)
Green vintage Hans Wegner sofa: twenty21
The overhang on this Coogee patio is black for several reasons – the colour reduces glare, doesn’t show the dirt and plays on the colour scheme in the rest of the house.
COLOUR TO TRY: Dulux ‘Domino’
Take a look around
COLOUR TO TRY: Dulux ‘Domino’
Take a look around
Red
It may be bold but if your personality is on the more outgoing side, red may suit you to a tee. And what better way to show off a striking white lighting design than a red backdrop? The clawfoot tub colour combo is a perfect match.
COLOUR TO TRY: Wattyl ‘Sacred Heart’
Pirce pendant lamp: Artemide
It may be bold but if your personality is on the more outgoing side, red may suit you to a tee. And what better way to show off a striking white lighting design than a red backdrop? The clawfoot tub colour combo is a perfect match.
COLOUR TO TRY: Wattyl ‘Sacred Heart’
Pirce pendant lamp: Artemide
Eggplant
If your kids share a bedroom or you’re keen to choose a colour scheme your kids will love just as much 10 years down the road as they do now, it’s time to think beyond the expected primary colours for boys and pastel shades for girls. This shade of purple works for either gender, and when it’s painted on the ceiling, it means your children can personalise the rest of the room at will.
COLOUR TO TRY: Porter’s Original Paints ‘Aubergine’
YOUR SAY
Do you have painted ceilings at your house? Share a picture and tell us about it in the Comments.
MORE
Dreaming of a New Ceiling? Here’s What You Never Knew Was Possible
8 Alternatives Beyond the Boring White Ceiling
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
If your kids share a bedroom or you’re keen to choose a colour scheme your kids will love just as much 10 years down the road as they do now, it’s time to think beyond the expected primary colours for boys and pastel shades for girls. This shade of purple works for either gender, and when it’s painted on the ceiling, it means your children can personalise the rest of the room at will.
COLOUR TO TRY: Porter’s Original Paints ‘Aubergine’
YOUR SAY
Do you have painted ceilings at your house? Share a picture and tell us about it in the Comments.
MORE
Dreaming of a New Ceiling? Here’s What You Never Knew Was Possible
8 Alternatives Beyond the Boring White Ceiling
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
All the colourful chairs in the world wouldn’t give this room the same lift as a ceiling this luscious. It’s the perfect choice for a beach-style home.
COLOUR TO TRY: Haymes ‘Seabreeze’ (2477)
More: So Your Style Is: Beach