Furthermore, many designers consider painting the ceiling an essential step: You don't want a murky yellow-white from a previous tenant mucking up the otherwise crisp design of a room.
Paint color can help bring the ceiling down, fooling the eye into thinking the room is smaller and more intimate. Medium to dark and rich, deep colors such as chocolate brown on the ceiling can warm up the space and make it feel cozy instead of impersonal.
With most projects, ceiling paint is a worthwhile purchase, especially if the ceiling has problems such as mold or if it is painted in a dark color. Ceiling paint's slightly higher cost than wall paint, plus thick consistency and flat finish, make it useful when painting entire rooms.
Paint your ceiling the same color as your walls. This will draw the eye up, which creates the illusion of a larger room and higher ceilings. Bonus if you're able to install some trim and crown molding, as I've found this can also make the ceilings look higher.
Ceilings do not always have to be painted white. While white is certainly the most common color for a ceiling, you can experiment with different colors to really make a room flow nicely. Contrary to popular belief, a ceiling is not just an extension of the walls.
White is a popular ceiling paint color, and it's not just out of an adherence to tradition. Homeowners and designers favor white as a ceiling color because: White Reflects Light: The ceiling reflects light as much, or more than the other four walls.
If you paint the ceiling a darker color than the walls, it will make the ceiling feel closer and the room feel smaller. But if you paint the ceiling a lighter color than the walls, it will make the room feel bigger, even if you are using dark shades on the walls.
A white ceiling will reflect the most amount of light and can help tie together other contrasting elements of your room. According to Sherwin Williams, white is the right choice, especially when the room lacks light.
So, what colors make a room look bigger? For an optimum effect, go with soft tones like off-white, blues, and greens, and always remember that brighter rooms feel bigger and more inviting. And here's another hack: Try painting your wall trim and moldings in a lighter color than your walls.
Normally painted white, ceilings start to appear discolored from dust, sun exposure, and moisture. In comparison to a wall, it takes time for the paint on the ceiling to yellow or dull. You should repaint your ceilings at least every ten years, but it's a good idea to repaint them any time you repaint your walls.
“It is a common misconception that painting a ceiling white will make it disappear. But when there is too stark of a contrast between the ceiling and the wall color, it can actually be distracting and unflattering.”
Ceiling paint offers strong adhesion to a variety of textured surfaces such as stucco, drywall, and plaster. It's also more durable than many types of wall paint and doesn't crack or peel. You'll find that you have a choice of water-based (latex) or oil-based ceiling paint as well.
The ceiling should always be painted first. This allows you to effectively cover the surface with at least two coats while not having to worry about any over-spray (the effect of excess paint being sprayed onto the walls) by the roller. When painting the ceiling, you should always use a roller with a double arm frame.
One of the recent trends for ceilings is an ultra-glossy, reflective finish that shines. A glossy surface tricks the eye so the room feels larger, especially with lighter colors and furniture in place. However, the surface needs to be polished smooth so no bumps show if using paint.
Make the Ceiling Bright White
A white ceiling helps make a room feel taller. If you want to brighten a dark room, make sure it is the clearest, brightest, whitest white you can find: no cream, no ivory, and no versions of off-white. True white is the way to go.
Paint walls opposite windows a cool, dark color to absorb light in too-bright rooms. If you want a brighter room, paint a dark color on the window wall with lighter colors opposite to reflect light back into the room.
1. Dark wall colors. If you absolutely don't want to notice your TV in your overall decor, paint the wall behind the tv in a dark, muted color. Deep grays and charcoal can be beautiful when used in this way, especially if you want a color with depth.
A darker color that matches the walls will make the room feel smaller, cozier, and bring a room together. A lighter, or white, the ceiling creates more depth and opens a room up.
If your crown moulding is going into a room with high ceilings, you may want it to be the same color as the ceiling to make the room appear smaller. The opposite is valid for a room with low ceilings, as a trim in a contrasting color will make the room appear more spacious.
Flat or matte sheens almost always work best for ceilings. If your ceiling has many imperfections, you'll want to stick to a flat paint sheen. Another benefit of using flat sheen on ceilings is that any light emitted from ceiling lights or windows can cause textured plaster to stand out from the sharp angles of light.
While there is no clear answer if using different colors for your walls and ceilings is best, in the end it will come down to personal preference. Ultimately, it's your home and you should create a space you enjoy living in.
The lightest and whitest colors work best at making a low ceiling appear taller. A bright white or a slightly gray white color are the optimal ceiling colors. Avoid using a color in a different hue on the ceiling if possible, as it will appear darker on the ceiling and not reflect as much light.
While dark or light colors on the ceiling can often create sophisticated charm and enhance certain rooms, there are times when white is best. This is especially true if you are painting main living areas such as the family room or kitchen.