Ceiling Design Ideas
ELEVATE THE LOOK OF YOUR HOME WITH THESE CEILING DESIGN IDEAS THAT ARE SURE TO LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION!
After painting my daughter’s ceiling this weekend (see ceiling painting tips here), I have ceiling design ideas on my mind. Sometimes called the fifth wall, they can add much interest to your space. They are often overlooked because clearly, they are a pain (literally) to work on.
But the result is so worth it! Treating your ceiling as if it were the fifth wall is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits your home!
Today, we are taking a look at great ceiling ideas to inspire you to make a bold statement with visual interest on your ceilings! Whether that be something as simple as an interesting paint color or something more difficult such as adding architectural features is up to you! There’s an idea here for every skill level and design preference!
You may even be surprised at how your ceiling can become the focal point of any room.
Beadboard Ceilings
First, my personal favorite, add beadboard, wood-look planks, shiplap, or wainscoting to your ceiling. This immediately draws the eye up and can make a small room feel bigger as well as cozier.
To make a space feel more expansive, keep it the same color as your walls. To make it the focal point of the room, try painting it a contrasting color as shown above. Isn’t that beautiful? This is my favorite in terms of kitchen ceiling ideas especially.
This is also a great way to cover up old popcorn ceilings without having to strip it all down.
Adding wood planks to both the ceilings and the walls creates a warmth and charm that cannot be achieved on bare walls!
Ceiling beams
Ceiling beams have made a big splash in the last few years and I don’t think this is a trend that will be going away. The look of the beams adds so much architectural interest while natural wood adds instant warmth to a room.
They are the perfect accent for a vaulted ceiling.
However, even if you don’t have high ceilings, I wouldn’t rule out this ceiling treatment. As you’ll see in the next images, it can be as beautiful on low ceilings as it is on tall ceilings.
With a low ceiling, natural wood beams lend to a cozy atmosphere that is warm and inviting.
Don’t discount faux wood beams, they can give you the same look for less. And with less elbow grease. The room below is a great example of that. Beams also add warmth to homes with big, open floor plans.
Pressed Tin Ceilings
Vintage style metal ceiling tiles (also called pressed tin) are often associated with older Victorian homes, but the case can be made for using them in modern day homes!
Their intricate designs can add a touch of vintage charm to any room. It’s available in a variety of colors which helps it blend into a range of different decor styles.
The color can change the overall look on this ceiling treatment drastically. Go with cool colors like silver for a modern look, warm browns for a more traditional look, and white for a cottage vibe.
Beyond their beauty, pressed tin ceilings are also durable, easy to maintain, and capable of concealing imperfections, making them practical and pretty for today’s homes.
Decorative Ceiling Molding
Adding decorative molding is another great idea for adding interest to your ceilings. This could be a fairly easy DIY project if you can make simple cuts with a saw. You may also be able to find this type of molding in a kit which would make it even easier.
You could really take this idea to the next level and do an inlay in your wood floor to mimic the ceiling molding. You may remember seeing that in this house tour I shared. It’s a great idea for a dining room where the edges of the floor are more exposed as in other rooms.
It’s all in the details, it doesn’t have to be large to have a big impact as you can see with this pretty design below.
Lacquered paint
What do you think of lacquered ceilings? I am more of a matte paint fan but, for the ceiling, I love this idea. If you have low, flat ceilings creating a shine helps add a mirror effect. That, in turn, can make the ceiling appear taller.
This is a bold look, especially when done in a color such as purple but look at the mirror effect. It draws your eye right up – instantly.
Go bold with paint color
Making a statement on your ceiling with paint is the easiest way to get the biggest bang for your buck. Don’t be afraid to try a dark ceiling, it can often look quite elegant.
Try painting it anything other than white. The black is a beautiful contrast with off white walls. This is a great option for a room with a tray ceiling.
Or go unexpected with deep purple on your ceiling.
Or continue the wall color across the ceiling and the trim for a color-drenched room. This is a great way to envelope an entire room for a cozy feel, such as a master bedroom.
With the endless amount of paint colors available, there is no limit to what you can create on your ceiling!
wallpaper ceilings
Having a wallpapered ceiling has to be the biggest wow factor on this list. Hanging wallpaper isn’t easy, even on walls, which is why this isn’t often a popular choice. However, if you could do it you would get to enjoy a view like this every day!
Or take even this idea up a notch and continue the wallpaper from the walls to up across the entire ceiling.
If the idea of this project is intimidating, try it in a small area such as a hallway or on a bathroom ceiling. Try peel-and-stick wallpaper for a no-fail option, if you make a mistake it’s easy to remove.
Another idea is to use a contrasting wallpaper on the ceiling and on the walls. I imagine this would be hard to pull off in everyday homes but this photo is certainly inspiring enough to make me want to try it!
I don’t believe any of the ideas on this list have quite the same visual impact as the wallpaper ceiling does!
Decorative Painting
As we said, with paint the options are almost limitless. Use a decorative painting effect to create a unique design on your ceiling.
Some examples are silver leaf, faux painting, stenciling, and Roman clay.
Get the look of wallpaper with stencils and paint.
Using stencils can give the illusion of a wall mural.
ceiling murals
Similar to wallpaper, a mural can create a show stopping effect when used on a ceiling.
A whimsical mural for a child’s room is a beautiful addition to the coffered ceiling.
A few more ceiling design ideas
We wanted to include a few more ceiling design ideas that caught our eye and don’t really fit into any specific category. But they’re all so creative and beautiful that we had to share.
An ethereal vibe isn’t for everyone but if you have an older Victorian home, this amazing ceiling treatment would fit right in.
The architecture of this ceiling is so unusual and certainly not something you see in many newer homes. But unique design elements are always a good thing.
Lastly, this ceiling molding gives a cut-out effect and painting it black was completely unexpected in this light and bright room color scheme. So well done!
And lastly, if you love coastal, beachy decor you will probably love this weathered ceiling look!
Closing Thoughts On Ceiling Design Ideas
Ceiling designs are often overlooked in home design, yet they offer a unique opportunity to elevate any space. Whether you’re aiming for grandeur with coffered ceilings, simplicity with a smooth painted finish, or creativity with wood beams and patterns, your ceiling can become a statement feature that reflects your personal style.
Ultimately, your ceiling is a blank canvas that can transform the look and feel of your room. By aligning your ceiling design with your overall aesthetic, you can create a cohesive and captivating space that feels both inviting and unique.
Let your imagination soar and remember—great design is not just about the walls and floors but also what lies above!
Which ceiling design idea is your favorite?
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