To decorate or not to decorate? That is the question when it comes to the ceiling, often referred to as the fifth wall of a room. You’re often so focused on the floor, the four walls and the furniture, but why not give the ceiling a little love too?
Sure, it’s not necessary to draw the eye up there, but designers agree that it’s a great way to add interest to your room beyond just a standard light fixture. You’re missing out if you just simply coat your ceiling in a layer of white paint and call it a day. Besides, the ceiling is the only part of the room not obstructed by artwork, a rug or furniture, so why not go all out?
“Ceilings are an often overlooked area of the home when it comes to design, but planning a special treatment on your ceilings can help elevate the look of the space and make it stand out from the rest,” says Jenna Reading, who co-owns Allentown-based South Main Design, with fellow designer Amanda Downs.
NJ HOME asked the design duo—as well as designer Julia Pobiner, principal designer at City to Suburbs Interiors in Livingston—to comment on the various ways to make your ceiling speak volumes. Which one will you try first?
- Paint. Our experts say there are two main options when painting your ceiling—continuing the paint color from the walls (a solid choice if your walls are neutral!) or changing it up for more of a dramatic effect with a bold color or high-gloss paint, says Reading. Pobiner loves a matte ceiling paper in a primary bedroom because it feels “velvety and soft,” she says, but for a dressier space like a dining room, a glossier sheen may be the way to go.
- Wallpaper. This is a big commitment, but the pay-off is worth it. If you prefer a more subtle detail on your ceiling, “Opt for a simple grass cloth texture in a neutral or earthy shade,” says Downs. Conversely, a vibrant color or print can be the perfect complement to a room’s architecture or furniture. Want to go for a print? Pobiner suggests a large-scale pattern, because “small patterns can become busy or the details get lost from a distance.”
- Wooden accents/beams. This ceiling accent will depend on the aesthetic of your home. Reading says beams work best in farmhouses, coastal homes and homes inspired by the French or English countryside, and they enhance a house’s charm. Still, Reading notes, “Don’t go for rustic and natural wood elements if a home has low ceilings or is very contemporary or modern.”
- Molding. If you’re not ready to go bold with wallpaper or color, molding is a good way to enhance the architecture and add personality to an all-white ceiling. “We always recommend painting the molding and the ceiling in the same color to avoid a dated, multicolor grid feel,” says Downs. You can also use molding as a visual element for extra-tall ceilings (over 8 feet). “Add crown molding on the walls one foot or more below the ceiling, and carry the ceiling finish down the top of the walls,” Pobiner suggests. “It makes the proportions of the room feel much more comfortable, and then you can have fun with your finishes and accessories so the room still packs a punch without feeling cavernous.”
How did you decorate your ceilings? Which of these options will you try next? Tell us on Instagram @njhomemag, and check out the brand-new fall issue of NJ HOME magazine, out now.