AndrewCould ceilings be ripe for decorative rediscovery? Many designers seem to think so.
The ceiling holds endless possibilities for creativity and should be treated with the same consideration as any other wall in your home.
Ceiling ideas offer scope to expand your creativity beyond your four walls. Selection of the very best ceiling ideas should include statement accent wall ideas and beautiful paint ideas to suit every home’s style. So whether your ceiling is high, low or in need of rejuvenation, there are looks to suit.
What can I put on my ceilings?
There are a multitude of ways to elevate your ceiling with materials, colour, texture and even wallpaper.
“Ceilings have been overlooked in recent times,” says interior designer Rachel Chudley, “but when you visit historic houses, the ceiling is often treated as a masterpiece.”
How can I make my ceiling look good?
Interior designer Elnaz Namaki recommends taking the time to give a room’s ceiling proper consideration, as a completely separate surface rather than an afterthought.
“We approach the ceilings in key rooms such as hallways, living rooms, studies, dining rooms and cloakrooms, the same way we approach the other surfaces,” she says.
“Start with thinking about the colour, texture, reflection and finish already in the space.”
How can I make my ceiling look bigger?
Interior designers and architects have a tool kit of tricks to add the illusion of height in a room. Coffered ceilings make a room feel so much bigger. Architectural details can add real drama to a space.
“Anything that draws your eye upwards gives the illusion of higher ceilings and grandeur. These not only add interest but also “cheat” the height of the room and make it look taller. With a coffered ceiling, we also like to use details such as concealed lighting,” says Namaki.
Here are some few tried ideas to consider for your ceiling:
Paint your ceiling the same colour as the rest of the room
“Ceilings are a great way of adding another layer of interest and making a space feel cosier. All too often they are an afterthought but we make sure to consider their potential,” confides interior designer Nicola Harding.
She starts by thinking how she wants the room to feel, ultimately, and she also takes into consideration the amount of natural light — which comes here from the floor-to-ceiling glazed doors.
Wallpaper the ceiling
Ceilings are an opportunity to take a bold wallpaper idea and supersize it. In this case that means straight up the wall and right across the ceiling with a contrasting striped paper.
To achieve this effect, it is worth using an experienced decorator to deliver the best outcome.
Go for an entirely bespoke option
The fifth wall is a great way to add layering and a three-dimensional aspect to the design of a space.
Highlight architectural features
A grey shade for the ceiling and cornice adds definition and is a sophisticated choice that flatters the formal living room.
Pastels and whites and creams often work well — start pale and increase the intensity of colour until you find the right balance.
Paint a whimsical scene
Choose bold colours and a playful approach if the room is for children.
You can add a darker wallpaper above the picture rail, a whimsical choice that feels like floating clouds.
Get creative with colour
In the family living room, pale walls, plus the lines of timber on the ceiling, echoed by the natural matting on the floor, create a visual ice-cream sandwich. Three darker elements — floor, living room sofa, ceiling — direct the eye to the mix of art on the wall behind.
Commission an artist to paint a statement design
Without an eye-catching ceiling, a dining room can be a restrained space, filled with very desirable 20th-century furniture but with no element of fun and surprise. — homesandgardens
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter