The Fifth Wall: Creative Ceilings Take Rooms to New Heights
A plain white ceiling isn’t always the best choice for a room. Consider these options for soothing to stunning effects
tidgboutique
January 26, 2018
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A crisp white ceiling is a classic look, but it’s not the only option for making a room look polished. Here are a few other design considerations to bring some personality to your ceiling.
The sky is the limit when it comes to the amount of creativity and beautiful layering you can put into creating a decorative statement on the ceiling. But before we discuss the many stylish or unusual treatments to consider, let’s start with a classic finish you’ve probably seen before.
Exposed Concrete
In my own design projects, I find many clients are excited to remove a popcorn ceiling treatment, and this is usually my preference as well. The results can be subtle, yet striking.
In some cases, the results can be dramatic. Removing a popcorn ceiling, and the entire drywall layer above, can often reveal architectural finishes, such as a cool concrete surface.
In my own design projects, I find many clients are excited to remove a popcorn ceiling treatment, and this is usually my preference as well. The results can be subtle, yet striking.
In some cases, the results can be dramatic. Removing a popcorn ceiling, and the entire drywall layer above, can often reveal architectural finishes, such as a cool concrete surface.
An exposed concrete ceiling gives a room a bit of industrial, architectural flair, adding drama and texture in a modern way. Of course, not every home has a concrete ceiling to reveal, so it’s important to speak with your designer or contractor before making any plans.
It’s also important to note that stripping a ceiling back to the concrete will leave no space for recessed ceiling lights. For this reason I usually include an area of dropped ceiling to allow potlights, define a gathering space or focal point and visually break up the look a bit.
It’s also important to note that stripping a ceiling back to the concrete will leave no space for recessed ceiling lights. For this reason I usually include an area of dropped ceiling to allow potlights, define a gathering space or focal point and visually break up the look a bit.
Flat Drywall
From my experience, the most popular contemporary ceiling style is the simple flat drywall ceiling. If a room includes other sound-absorbing materials like rugs, curtains or a fabric headboard, you can skip the acoustic ceiling treatment without worrying about echoes.
As I mentioned before, it is not always easy to achieve a perfectly crisp drywall ceiling, but skilled tradespeople can install either a new drywall ceiling or scrape the texture paint from an existing ceiling to reveal a much more sleek, modern surface.
Trimming a ceiling with crown molding painted to match the ceiling hue is a great alternative way to hide subtle imperfections in the slope of the ceiling and achieve a bright, airy, classic look.
From my experience, the most popular contemporary ceiling style is the simple flat drywall ceiling. If a room includes other sound-absorbing materials like rugs, curtains or a fabric headboard, you can skip the acoustic ceiling treatment without worrying about echoes.
As I mentioned before, it is not always easy to achieve a perfectly crisp drywall ceiling, but skilled tradespeople can install either a new drywall ceiling or scrape the texture paint from an existing ceiling to reveal a much more sleek, modern surface.
Trimming a ceiling with crown molding painted to match the ceiling hue is a great alternative way to hide subtle imperfections in the slope of the ceiling and achieve a bright, airy, classic look.
Paint
A drywall ceiling doesn’t only come in one shade, so while we’re discussing this finish, let’s touch on some differing paint choices.
White. A white or just-off-white ceiling is popular because it’s a great way to make any room feel open and airy and let light bounce from any windows or light fixtures back into the room.
For a contemporary or modern home, plain white can work great, but for a more traditional home or a space with definite warm tones (like this room with a lot of welcoming beige), choose a subtle off-white that complements the tone of the walls.
Designer Secrets: 10 Pros Share Their Favorite Off-White Paints
A drywall ceiling doesn’t only come in one shade, so while we’re discussing this finish, let’s touch on some differing paint choices.
White. A white or just-off-white ceiling is popular because it’s a great way to make any room feel open and airy and let light bounce from any windows or light fixtures back into the room.
For a contemporary or modern home, plain white can work great, but for a more traditional home or a space with definite warm tones (like this room with a lot of welcoming beige), choose a subtle off-white that complements the tone of the walls.
Designer Secrets: 10 Pros Share Their Favorite Off-White Paints
For a fun, trendy take, cheat the ceiling line a bit, like in this room, by starting the ceiling paint 12 to 24 inches down the wall (or only painting the walls up to that point, whichever way you think of it). The result is a breezy modern effect without using any bold hues or new materials.
Gray. Using a darker hue on the ceiling than on the walls visually brings the ceiling down, which can make a room feel more intimate.
Using a neutral gray shade (or one with a hint of cool blue) achieves this effect without drawing too much attention, so the room still feels serene and sophisticated.
This makes gray a great choice for bedrooms, dens and nurseries, bringing a peaceful, cozy atmosphere.
Pros Share Their Favorite Light Gray Paints
Using a neutral gray shade (or one with a hint of cool blue) achieves this effect without drawing too much attention, so the room still feels serene and sophisticated.
This makes gray a great choice for bedrooms, dens and nurseries, bringing a peaceful, cozy atmosphere.
Pros Share Their Favorite Light Gray Paints
Accent colors. For a room with a unique personality, adding an accent color to the ceiling infuses a lot of drama in an unexpected spot.
I won’t lie: As a DIY task, painting the ceiling is not nearly as easy as painting a wall, and even for professionals it usually requires the room be fully emptied first. So, it’s best to be absolutely sure that you love a hue before applying it to the “fifth wall.” The upside is that the ceiling is often a relatively small surface area, meaning that splash of color is a more controlled dose than painting the walls.
I won’t lie: As a DIY task, painting the ceiling is not nearly as easy as painting a wall, and even for professionals it usually requires the room be fully emptied first. So, it’s best to be absolutely sure that you love a hue before applying it to the “fifth wall.” The upside is that the ceiling is often a relatively small surface area, meaning that splash of color is a more controlled dose than painting the walls.
While a painted ceiling is immediately noticeable in a room with stark white walls, when a room has a lot of interesting and eclectic finishes on other surfaces, a rich hue can actually blend in better than a white ceiling. It’s a daring look for sure, but for those who love a lot of personality in their home, a colorful ceiling can be a very livable choice.
For the best of both worlds, a navy, deep teal or royal blue shade will feel dramatic but still appear neutral enough to not overwhelm you.
See 10 bold ceiling paint ideas
For the best of both worlds, a navy, deep teal or royal blue shade will feel dramatic but still appear neutral enough to not overwhelm you.
See 10 bold ceiling paint ideas
Matching ceilings and walls. Painting the ceiling to match the walls may sound overwhelming, but sometimes it can actually be the more subtle choice. When the ceiling and the walls (or even just a few walls) are the same hue, the lack of contrast makes the ceiling less of a dramatic feature and more of a singular background color. Of course, this applies best to softer hues like gentle pink, watery blue or heritage butter yellow.
I personally match the ceiling to the walls quite often when using light neutral shades. While it may appear white on your screen, the walls, ceiling and molding in this project are all Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray, a subtle, warm gray shade. In an older home, using an all-over hue is a great way to deemphasize imperfections such as sloped ceilings that don’t meet walls in a perfectly straight line.
Houzz guides to decorating with neutral colors
Houzz guides to decorating with neutral colors
Two-tone paint. Using a dark or dramatic paint color on the ceiling doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Like the opposite of an area rug, painting just part of a ceiling can help define a particular zone, like how this open-concept home has a gray paint used over just the kitchen, ending roughly at the edge of the island.
Lining up the edge or edges with another element in the room will help it make visual sense, like how in this room the ceiling stripe ends at the same point where the wall finish below changes.
Lining up the edge or edges with another element in the room will help it make visual sense, like how in this room the ceiling stripe ends at the same point where the wall finish below changes.
Paint Finishes
Semigloss. The higher the degree of gloss in a paint, the more visual depth it will have and the lighter the perceived color will be. So, when choosing a darker shade especially, selecting a semigloss or more subtle satin finish can make a color seem less aggressive and more multidimensional and help keep the paint from absorbing all of the light in the room.
Semigloss. The higher the degree of gloss in a paint, the more visual depth it will have and the lighter the perceived color will be. So, when choosing a darker shade especially, selecting a semigloss or more subtle satin finish can make a color seem less aggressive and more multidimensional and help keep the paint from absorbing all of the light in the room.
Matte. Matte and eggshell finishes represent the less-glossy end of the spectrum, and thus reflect less light. This will make a color seem more pure and vivid, and a bit darker. For those who don’t want to shy away from a rich statement, a matte finish gives a crisp contemporary look.
11 Reasons to Paint Your Ceiling Black
11 Reasons to Paint Your Ceiling Black
Gloss. Ultra-high-gloss paint is not easy to apply to a ceiling because it has a slower drying time and thus lots of opportunity to drip or become uneven. But it’s not impossible for expert professionals, and the results can be stunning, especially when paired with sparkling ceiling fixtures and beautiful natural light.
Alternately, a “stretched ceiling” uses a layer of high-tech material suspended just below the true ceiling to create a gloss effect (or other finishes) that paint alone cannot achieve.
How to hire a painter to do your interiors
Alternately, a “stretched ceiling” uses a layer of high-tech material suspended just below the true ceiling to create a gloss effect (or other finishes) that paint alone cannot achieve.
How to hire a painter to do your interiors
Paneling
Wood planks are most often seen on the floor, but they look just as beautiful above.
While wood-paneled ceilings are often associated with cottages and farmhouses, they can work with a variety of styles of home. Panelling works well for transitional homes, especially in controlled doses like the small strip seen here, bringing texture and richness to the ceiling that a solid color can’t match.
Wood planks are most often seen on the floor, but they look just as beautiful above.
While wood-paneled ceilings are often associated with cottages and farmhouses, they can work with a variety of styles of home. Panelling works well for transitional homes, especially in controlled doses like the small strip seen here, bringing texture and richness to the ceiling that a solid color can’t match.
Generally, thinner strips of wood, and species with more knots, will appear more cottage-inspired, while wider planks or sheets, often with a less-grainy finish, will carry a more modern appearance.
Both types work well in kitchens with airy white or off-white cabinetry, taking a classic “white kitchen” and giving it added warmth and a natural appeal.
Both types work well in kitchens with airy white or off-white cabinetry, taking a classic “white kitchen” and giving it added warmth and a natural appeal.
Pressed Tin
While these panels are not necessarily made from tin, the pressed-tin look endures as a charming option for traditional kitchens, or contemporary or transitional kitchens that want to add some classic flair.
While these panels are not necessarily made from tin, the pressed-tin look endures as a charming option for traditional kitchens, or contemporary or transitional kitchens that want to add some classic flair.
These panels can be visually quite dominant with their glam or antiqued finishes and busy patterning, so they work well in rooms with otherwise simple palettes, or as a small accent over an island or seating group.
To keep the look fresh and bright, try using classic tin panels with stainless steel appliances, so the primary metal tone repeats and the room feels cohesive.
Find metal ceiling panels
To keep the look fresh and bright, try using classic tin panels with stainless steel appliances, so the primary metal tone repeats and the room feels cohesive.
Find metal ceiling panels
Gold Leaf
For some metallic glam without the busy patterning of a pressed-tin-style ceiling, gold leaf is a great way to get a subtly multitonal effect that will cast a golden glow throughout a room.
Applying gold leaf is a very time-consuming process, but the effect brings an almost royal air and is great for giving a sense of motion and glamour to small or narrow spaces like a hallway or powder room without too much ceiling square footage.
For some metallic glam without the busy patterning of a pressed-tin-style ceiling, gold leaf is a great way to get a subtly multitonal effect that will cast a golden glow throughout a room.
Applying gold leaf is a very time-consuming process, but the effect brings an almost royal air and is great for giving a sense of motion and glamour to small or narrow spaces like a hallway or powder room without too much ceiling square footage.
Molding
Thin, delicate wall moldings bring a sense of sophistication to a ceiling, giving the whole surface a richer look without demanding as much attention as many of the previous options. The effect is subtle and is well-suited to a more formal or classical room design.
Thin, delicate wall moldings bring a sense of sophistication to a ceiling, giving the whole surface a richer look without demanding as much attention as many of the previous options. The effect is subtle and is well-suited to a more formal or classical room design.
That being said, ceiling moldings can look grand and very high-end in a modern home as well. Even just a few strips in a simple shape or pattern can beautifully frame a ceiling light and bring a sense of polish.
Generally with thin moldings like this (2 inches wide or less) I would recommend painting them the same as the rest of the ceiling so the moldings remain a subtle element of architectural texture.
Generally with thin moldings like this (2 inches wide or less) I would recommend painting them the same as the rest of the ceiling so the moldings remain a subtle element of architectural texture.
Wallpaper
Sure, the word “wall” is in the name, but that doesn’t mean wallpaper can’t go anywhere else. A wallpaper treatment on the ceiling can be a great way to add some color overhead, but not too much. It’s a look that pairs well with open shelving (such as in a walk-in closet or library) or in a space you want to look festive and energetic, like a dining room.
Sure, the word “wall” is in the name, but that doesn’t mean wallpaper can’t go anywhere else. A wallpaper treatment on the ceiling can be a great way to add some color overhead, but not too much. It’s a look that pairs well with open shelving (such as in a walk-in closet or library) or in a space you want to look festive and energetic, like a dining room.
Alternately, wall coverings can be used to add subdued texture (instead of wild patterns) to a ceiling, giving a sense of richness similar to wood but even more subtle and in a range of hues.
Essentially, a textured wallpaper can be used in the same way as an equivalent paint hue, just with added multi tonality that makes the result more subtle and complex, and even easier to live with.
Essentially, a textured wallpaper can be used in the same way as an equivalent paint hue, just with added multi tonality that makes the result more subtle and complex, and even easier to live with.
Beams and Coffers
While some homes have beams built into the ceiling for structural support, others have beams simply for decorative purposes, often constructed from trim and wood planks, and often largely hollow inside.
Coffered ceilings use these beams to create a network of squares, or sometimes other more complex shapes in very fancy installations. This gives a home a regal and historic quality, recalling the architectural style of old palaces and churches.
It is in no way a low-cost installation and requires a great deal of material and labor to complete, but some of the cost can likely be recouped as added value to the home because the look is timeless.
While some homes have beams built into the ceiling for structural support, others have beams simply for decorative purposes, often constructed from trim and wood planks, and often largely hollow inside.
Coffered ceilings use these beams to create a network of squares, or sometimes other more complex shapes in very fancy installations. This gives a home a regal and historic quality, recalling the architectural style of old palaces and churches.
It is in no way a low-cost installation and requires a great deal of material and labor to complete, but some of the cost can likely be recouped as added value to the home because the look is timeless.
Combining a coffered ceiling with some of the other ideas above can produce spectacular results, bringing rich color or pattern to the ceiling while still preserving an air of orderliness.
A coffered ceiling like this makes a great upgrade for a dining room, bringing balance, coziness and sophistication while defining a point to hang a chandelier.
A coffered ceiling like this makes a great upgrade for a dining room, bringing balance, coziness and sophistication while defining a point to hang a chandelier.
Popcorn Ceilings
Texture-painted ceilings, usually known as popcorn ceilings, are common in older homes, but the finish is less commonly used in construction during the past few decades. To some people, the textured look is an eyesore, which is often made worse by the fact that the treatment is difficult to touch up once stained or damaged, assuming it was applied carefully and evenly in the first place.
Texture-painted ceilings, usually known as popcorn ceilings, are common in older homes, but the finish is less commonly used in construction during the past few decades. To some people, the textured look is an eyesore, which is often made worse by the fact that the treatment is difficult to touch up once stained or damaged, assuming it was applied carefully and evenly in the first place.
It’s important to note that popcorn ceilings were and continue to be applied for a few good reasons. First, they can hide imperfections in the ceiling surface — a truly crisp, perfectly even ceiling is difficult to achieve. Second, this texture helps cut echoing for better acoustics, which is especially important in modern rooms that have many flat surfaces and not a lot of fabrics to absorb sound.
Ultimately, popcorn ceilings are not all alike, so if your only memory of this finish is from a well-worn apartment with a spiky, discolored ceiling, it may be worth giving the treatment a second look. When done well, texture paint can be very subtle.
But if you prefer a more crisp or stylish finish, there are many more options to choose from.
How to remove, hide or play down a popcorn ceiling
More
Design Debate: Should You Ever Paint a Wood Ceiling White?
11 Tricks to Make a Ceiling Look Higher
But if you prefer a more crisp or stylish finish, there are many more options to choose from.
How to remove, hide or play down a popcorn ceiling
More
Design Debate: Should You Ever Paint a Wood Ceiling White?
11 Tricks to Make a Ceiling Look Higher
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You can also find tin ceiling tiles at wfnorman.com - Tin-plated steel is the standard metal we use although you may also order them in copper, brass and zinc. Tinplate can be painted any color or coated with clear varnish.
Cypress ceilings in our master bath reno. I'm in love.
Used a stencil to create a 'thatched hut' effect on the vaulted ceiling in our Hawaiian home.