Since I am known for painting the ceiling a different color, I am often asked which ceiling to paint and what color to choose. Like many of the often-asked questions in life, the best answer depends on several factors. If you are considering painting the ceiling a different color, you need to choose a room in your home to create this special effect. Anywhere or everywhere is NOT the right answer!
Lately, I’ve had many readers ask about painting the ceiling a different color in a living room – yay or nay?
Let’s think though this. Is it a large living room that gets everyday use? I don’t typically choose painting a ceiling a different color in a large living space where homeowners spend most of their time. You will want to consider this carefully if your ceiling is not higher than 8 feet, but it can be done. If you want a different color on the ceiling in a large living area with average-height ceilings, I would suggest a color that is no darker than a tint or mid-tone and brings to mind the sky. This will bring the eye up naturally, like the sky does in nature. But it won’t feel like a distraction in the space.
The Decorologist
This is from a living room redesign I worked on several years ago, but I don’t believe I’ve ever shared this one with you before. The ceilings here are 8 feet high. Here’s the same room before we changed the paint colors and replaced the furnishings:
before
If definitely matters what color the living room walls are, as well. If the living room walls are a light and updated neutral color, painting the ceiling a different color is an option. However, if the walls are already dark or are a saturated color, painting the ceiling a different color can create a dated effect that would NOT result in the look you were hoping for. I’d like to show you a photo example of a dated looking color combination, but I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings . . .
If the walls and trim of your living room are white, there is good natural lighting, and the ceiling is at least 9 feet tall, you CAN definitely go dark on the ceiling:
If your living room walls are a light neutral and your ceiling is high (above 10 feet) and flat, you can definitely paint it dark. Perhaps a black, almost black, or navy. If your ceiling is vaulted or slanted, I would NOT recommend painting it a different color than the walls or trim. That would only bring attention to the odd angles above.
You may be itching to try a fun, new color on the ceiling of your living room – maybe a color similar to Benjamin Moore’s 2020 Color of the Year?
It’s a bit of a risk, but not too scary if you keep the walls very light and airy.
design by Jeffrey Bilhuber in AD
A sky-colored ceiling is a great choice in a white living room, regardless of ceiling height.
The most important thing to do when choosing new paint colors is to test them the RIGHT way.
I highly recommend painting out a SmallWall sample board (available at Sherwin-Williams retailers) and testing the new color in the room you are considering painting.
If you have a smaller living space where you spend limited amounts of time (perhaps a library or music room), you can do a high contrast, dark ceiling even with 8 foot ceilings. There’s nothing wrong with high drama in a space like that, but it could feel like “too much” in your larger main living room.
The Decorologist
You may be surprised to hear there is so much you can do (and so much you SHOULDN’T do) in regard to painting ceilings. In my Psychological Color Expert™ certification course, I actually have two entire modules on how to specific paint for ceilings! I teach you what to do with tray and coffered ceilings, ceilings with/without crown molding, textured/patterned ceilings, vaulted and angled ceilings, etc.
I give you specific colors in both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams for dining room and bedroom ceilings, and specific color combinations for walls and ceilings in the same room. You can find out more here.
Great post, Kristie, thank you. Our master suite is due for a re-do. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of painting the ceiling something other than basic ceiling white. The appropriate tint ratio for ceiling to walls has been my source of hesitation; I was focusing on just how wrong things could go. With your advice and helpful photographs, I feel more confident about painting the ceiling a color. Many thanks!
You are so welcome, Judy! I’m sure your bedroom will turn out great! xo
Yay, Judy! Time to go for it – you’ll love the effect!
Hi. Thank you for this post. I have been contemplating painting a dining room ceiling. 12′ high. But it is textured. Can you paint a textured ceiling or will that just look silly?
You can definitely paint a textured ceiling – just NOT a popcorn ceiling. It will not look silly – it will look purposeful and lovely!! Go dark with it!
Great advice Kristie. Most of the homes where I live have a lot of popcorn so painting is not always an option. I have always loved the look of a painted ceiling.
Popcorn ceiling are from the devil! 😉
Hello All,
Sometimes this effect works wonders and is just what the doctor ordered, especially in a small space! Buy real paint and use the Small Wall to great effect as you test paint colors; especially on the ceiling!
We have tried to apply much of what I’ve learned from Kristie as we have renovated our new home, achieving a significant downsize into a 1950’s cape. One of the “quaint” things we inherited is a plaster ceiling swirl technique (an effect which appears to be common in our area of the Southeast.)
Fortunately, ours is in our smallest public room, the dining room, and one thing I have absorbed from pro budget-conscious renovators like Kristie is: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! We actually painted the entire ceiling in a deep shade of olive green, and the truth is people absolutely love it. They gravitate to it. They think we have gilt the ceiling! It’s strange to me, because it isn’t a feature I initially loved, but until we can expand our teeny dining space…I hope by having painted the ceiling a different color, the ceiling ornament will continue to “ripen with age”!😆
Thanks to Kristie – and all of you commenters- for the encouragement!
Sunny,
Thank you so much for emailing me the photos of your ceiling – it looks FANTASTIC!!! Really, I’ve never seen anything like it! That green looks glorious – makes the ceiling look really special. Thank you for sharing your story. xoxo
Kristie, Love this post and love love the painted ceilings with the light wall colors! You’re the best!
Wow, Kristie, what a great post. I will be dreaming of beautiful rooms with beautifully colored ceilings… Love the impact of the light fixtures placed harmoniously against the ceiling color. So inspiring, Thank you!
Thank you so much, Leanne!
I wanted to paint the ceiling in the bedroom my grandchildren stayed in when visiting. I painted a test area by the window and one across the room. Eight year old grandson came to visit before I decided. Put in to bed and in a few minutes he came to tell me the ceiling would look better all one color! So on his advice I painted it blue and we both love it.
Awww, I’m sure he does!!! Good job 🙂
It looks amazing! Wonderful post. Good information keep posting.
Good information keep posting.
what is the color in your piano room photo? it’s gorgeous!
This was really helpful info. Thank you!
You are so welcome, Mary Ann!
What is the color of the ceiling in the piano room?
You’ve inspired me to paint my dining room ceiling insets a deep color. My ceiling is flat and 12’ high. My adjoining living room also has high ceilings and insets. Is it ok if I keep those a more neutral color or should they match the dining room?