Standout Ceilings Give Rooms a Lift
Ceilings with mirrors, polka-dot decals and tin tiles help these rooms look pulled together
Nicole Jacobs
April 10, 2018
Houzz Contributor. Designer and operations director at Zenno Design + Build, a full-service design, renovation and custom-build firm based in Hamilton, Canada. Nicole has been a design consultant for a production builder, and has independently overseen design, renovation and styling projects of all scopes and scales through her own firm, Nicole Jacobs Design. She has been a writer of home, real estate and lifestyle articles for over a decade.
Houzz Contributor. Designer and operations director at Zenno Design + Build, a full-service... More
Ceiling treatments can be a fantastic way to reinvigorate a room. Take these eight spaces — each has a special ceiling that serves as a focal point and brings together the room’s decor. Together, they show that a well-considered ceiling treatment can be the star attraction in any size or type of room.
1. Polka-dotted kid’s bedroom. A child’s room is a great place to try out a ceiling treatment, and decals make it easy. In recent years, decals have surged in quality, variety and popularity; they make a wonderful alternative to investing in full rolls of wallpaper. Here, gold polka-dot decals add whimsy and style. A sputnik light fixture echoes the round shapes.
Investing in a designer will ensure a professional execution, but you can add decals to a ceiling yourself — at least if you’re comfortable going up and down a ladder. However, I recommend this project only for people who have excellent balance and a healthy back. And it’s wise to have someone on hand to spot you on the ladder as you work.
Browse wall decals
Investing in a designer will ensure a professional execution, but you can add decals to a ceiling yourself — at least if you’re comfortable going up and down a ladder. However, I recommend this project only for people who have excellent balance and a healthy back. And it’s wise to have someone on hand to spot you on the ladder as you work.
Browse wall decals
2. Graphic office. Even a little bit of wallpaper can have a dramatic effect.
This office has beautiful built-in cabinetry and millwork, but it’s the black-and-white pattern on the ceiling that really draws the eye.
The pendant also attracts attention upward, further emphasizing the ceiling.
This office has beautiful built-in cabinetry and millwork, but it’s the black-and-white pattern on the ceiling that really draws the eye.
The pendant also attracts attention upward, further emphasizing the ceiling.
3. Calm and dreamy bedroom. This room’s taupe-and-white decor gets a soft accent from the pale blue-and-cream ceiling wallpaper. The pattern offers a fanciful, dreamy canopy for gazing at and, as a design choice, supports the room’s restful vibe.
Of course, installing wallpaper on the ceiling is more difficult than installing it on a wall, so if you don’t have experience with either surface, your best bet is to hire a pro. Another benefit of wallpapering what is sometimes called the “fifth wall” is cost: Because a ceiling is a relatively small space compared with four walls, your cost of materials should be lower. These days there are many wallpaper options to help you stay within your budget.
Find professional wallpaper installers | Browse wallpapers
Of course, installing wallpaper on the ceiling is more difficult than installing it on a wall, so if you don’t have experience with either surface, your best bet is to hire a pro. Another benefit of wallpapering what is sometimes called the “fifth wall” is cost: Because a ceiling is a relatively small space compared with four walls, your cost of materials should be lower. These days there are many wallpaper options to help you stay within your budget.
Find professional wallpaper installers | Browse wallpapers
4. Dark and stormy dining room. This dining room is moody and dramatic, with the ceiling, walls and trim painted the same deep blue-black. But the touch of extraordinary here comes from the mirrored tiles on the ceiling. As a daring backdrop for a unique ceiling fixture, they bring the room reflective sparkle.
The tiles can be mounted using a construction adhesive, but be sure you plan out your pattern first, because once they’re applied, removing them will mean a lot of drywall damage, and probably even damage to the mirror. When in doubt, hire a designer to help with special installations like this.
The tiles can be mounted using a construction adhesive, but be sure you plan out your pattern first, because once they’re applied, removing them will mean a lot of drywall damage, and probably even damage to the mirror. When in doubt, hire a designer to help with special installations like this.
5. Exposed-brick kitchen. Quite often the kitchen, as the home’s main gathering spot, is an ideal place to install a beautiful ceiling treatment. Here it’s done in the form of brick veneer, which, in conjunction with the exposed wood beams, gives the kitchen a rustic vibe. The rough look of the brick and wood on the ceiling presents a striking counterpoint to the elegant, glazed backsplash tiles and dainty faucet and cabinet hardware.
The brick veneers are applied using mortar or other adhesive and, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines, can go directly onto drywall.
The brick veneers are applied using mortar or other adhesive and, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines, can go directly onto drywall.
6. Classically tiled dining nook. A tin ceiling is a classic style found in older homes, and it looks great whether left in its natural metal color or painted white.
Here, a natural tin ceiling distinguishes the dining area from the adjacent kitchen. In combination with the rustic table, it softens what is otherwise a sleek, white, contemporary kitchen, bringing a sense of warmth and character to the space. Another bonus of a tin ceiling is that it’s budget-friendly, since there are many affordable tin and metal ceiling tiles on the market. In addition to classic tin, tin-like decorative vinyl is available with an adhesive backing.
Here, a natural tin ceiling distinguishes the dining area from the adjacent kitchen. In combination with the rustic table, it softens what is otherwise a sleek, white, contemporary kitchen, bringing a sense of warmth and character to the space. Another bonus of a tin ceiling is that it’s budget-friendly, since there are many affordable tin and metal ceiling tiles on the market. In addition to classic tin, tin-like decorative vinyl is available with an adhesive backing.
7. Elevated living room. The ceiling in this popular living room is a real showstopper. Within a delicate frame of white molding, the gold leaf pattern of the wallpaper finds an echo in the sunburst mirror, which has been secured to a joist in the middle of the ceiling.
The screens and the decorative object on the mantel carry the gold motif further throughout the room, helping the decor feel cohesive. Again, you’d probably want to enlist the help of a pro to install wallpaper, ceiling molding and a ceiling mirror.
The screens and the decorative object on the mantel carry the gold motif further throughout the room, helping the decor feel cohesive. Again, you’d probably want to enlist the help of a pro to install wallpaper, ceiling molding and a ceiling mirror.
8. Dramatic master bedroom. The master bedroom is a great choice for a ceiling treatment. This one features a coat of navy paint that gives the room an elegant, soothing feel. The high-gloss finish adds depth and makes that light fixture pop.
Find designers to help you plan a ceiling treatment
Find designers to help you plan a ceiling treatment
This shot of the same bedroom shows the sitting area. I recommend hiring a painter to get a similar look. Keep in mind that a professional will likely require an empty room to do the job. Also, if you want to go with a high-gloss sheen, be sure your ceiling has a clean, smooth finish, otherwise the glossy paint may highlight your ceiling’s imperfections. The deeper the hue, the better off you are for minimizing the appearance of blemishes.
Your turn: Have you created or commissioned a standout ceiling treatment for your home? Please show us a photo in the Comments!
More
The Fifth Wall: Creative Ceilings Take Rooms to New Heights
Design Debate: Should You Ever Paint a Wood Ceiling White?
The Transformative Power of Ceiling Trim
Your turn: Have you created or commissioned a standout ceiling treatment for your home? Please show us a photo in the Comments!
More
The Fifth Wall: Creative Ceilings Take Rooms to New Heights
Design Debate: Should You Ever Paint a Wood Ceiling White?
The Transformative Power of Ceiling Trim
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Here is another great ceiling treatment we did for one of our Tulsa homeowners. They are a bit of an aged decor aficionado, so we added wood ceiling beams to compliment a rustic chandelier to add a hint of the old to their newly designed modern kitchen.
Tin ceilings can really transform a space such as this billiard room:
Painted light or dark, they really make a statement!
Our sheet metal panels are stamped one at a time on antique rope drop hammers, so you get a beautifully deep impression in the details. See more at wfnorman.com
These tin ceilings are beautiful! These would be great in a home office, dining or library. I was thinking of using these type of panels in my kitchen on my walls instead of tile. These designs bring so much warmth & beauty! Thanks for the info!