Painting the Ceiling! 3 Reasons you Should Always Consider Painting the Fifth Wall.

There are five walls in a room, and the fifth one is often forgotten. That’s a big oversight! Here is why painting your ceiling is something you should always consider when designing a space: 

1. Painting a ceiling can add height to a room. 

Giving the ceiling a lick of paint that is lighter than the walls will often add height to a space. This method can make the room feel more open when there is a lighter coloured ceiling. 

Similarly, if the paint is a contrasting darker colour, height will be added to the room. Darker ceilings draw the eye up which elongates the height of the room. 

Credit: Bridgman

If a room has crown moulding, it is important to take that into consideration when choosing ceiling paint as well. Painting the crown the same colour as the ceiling will physically bring the paint to a lower level, thereby adding height to a room! 

2. Painting a ceiling can add warmth when painted off-white.

Using a shade on the ceiling that is in the same colour family but lighter than the colours on the walls is an easy way to create warmth, and is an opportunity to create height. The slightly lighter tone will provide enough contrast to add height but will be a less stark contrast to the walls than a generic bright white, so the effect will create a sense of warmth. 

I used “Modest” which is an off-white taupe by Coat Paints on many of the ceilings in my own home.

Credit: Fourth Home Interiors & DIY (own image)

3. Painting or wallpapering a ceiling can add interest to a room. 

Allowing the ceiling to become an unexpected feature in a room can add a layer of decor that truly sets your space apart! The ceiling itself becomes an item of decor or an interesting art feature. 

Credit: Feathr

Painting a ceiling with a dark paint or wallapering can create a focal point that also brings more intimacy to a space. I love incorporating this element into smaller rooms, but this can also be effective for larger rooms. 

3. Painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls can create warmth and intimacy.

This technique is called “colour drenching”. Painting a ceiling the same as your walls can have a cocooning and enveloping effect. It can also make a space feel more “infinite”, since there is no definition between the walls and ceiling. 

Credit: B&Q Goodhome

“Colour drenching” is often used with darker colours to create drama and depth in a room. However, colour drenching a ceiling can be successful with lighter colours too! Colour drenching with lighter tones creates a subconscious feeling of warmth and can make a room feel larger.

Colour drenching usually means also painting all woodwork the same colour as the walls and ceiling to create true drama. This technique has been used historically in interior design. Colour drenching therefore isn’t really a temporary trend. It is here to stay!

4. Painting a ceiling can highlight character and details.

Do you have beams? Maybe you have detailing on your ceiling in a period home? Do you have crown moulding? If you are lucky enough to have anything of note happening on your ceilings, it’s important to consider applying a ceiling treatment that will compliment these features. 

Credit: Naturalmat 

Using colour between beams or painting the crown moulding can have big impact in a room. Painting crown moulding the same colour as the ceiling can make the room appear higher. Painting it all darker can make the room feel intimate but bring the eye directly to the beautiful detailing. 

Always consider painting the ceiling, it is truly worth the extra effort and cleanup. I hope this article helps with some of the options when choosing how to incorporate ceiling colour into your interior choices.