Think beyond your four walls—the ceiling is another space in your home where you can express your creativity and tie together your interior decor. The days when all ceilings were painted white or covered with a questionable popcorn pattern are gone. Now, ceilings come in a variety of shades.
However, making a decision when painting ceilings can be hard. The wrong ceiling paint can make your room feel cramped or clash with your walls. Here are a few tips to make that decision easier.
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Think About the Effect That You Want
The great thing about painting ceilings is that they can create an optical illusion. You can either make the room feel bigger than it is or create the illusion of a cozy space. Darker colors make ceilings feel lower and more intimate. On the other hand, lighter shades will make the room feel airier and more open.
You should also think about the light your room receives. A ceiling that receives frequent sunlight will look different than a room painted in the same shade that is mostly lit with artificial light.
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How Will the Ceiling Color Work with Your Walls?
One of the most important things you should consider when painting your ceiling is how the ceiling will work with the rest of your room. You want your wall color and ceiling color to create a cohesive look, not clash with each other.
If you want a subtle effect, try to go only a few shades lighter or darker than your primary wall color. This will create a seamless transition between your walls and ceilings.
On the other hand, a contrasting color can make a statement and create a bold, creative feeling in the room.
If your walls are a bold color, think about painting your ceilings a neutral color or even white. This will focus attention on the walls. However, white does not have to mean boring. You can play around with different undertones.
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Think About Going Monochrome
Standard ceiling painting advice used to be to avoid painting your ceiling the same color as your walls since it will create a cramped effect. However, many modern interior designers like the monochrome look for boldness and a cozy feeling.
If you don’t want to commit fully to the monochrome look, you can dilute the paint that you are using for your walls with white paint. This will create a cohesive look while still adding a little variety.
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Think About the Finish
Besides the color, the paint’s finish could also affect the appearance of your ceilings. Most people paint their ceilings with a flat finish paint because it is subtler. However, a satin or eggshell finish paired with a darker shade can brighten up a space that is full of dark colors.
When choosing a finish, think about the state of your ceiling and how much work you want to put into maintaining it. Flat finishes are more forgiving when it comes to errors and dents on the surface.
Express yourself by painting your ceiling, and make sure that your vision aligns with the rest of your interior design thanks to these tips.