White works as a ceiling color a majority of the time—and for many good reasons—but other colors like red, blue, and brown can be used, too.
This is important if the ceiling has a lot of visible imperfections or is textured or patterned, which can make a successful paint job quite difficult. Plus, white is the most effective color for reflecting light back into the room, which is vitally important in rooms with few or no sources of natural light.”
Ceilings are most often painted white to reflect light and brighten up a room. White ceiling paint is the most popular choice for homes. However, choosing to paint your ceiling a color can be a refreshing change of pace. A dark or light-colored ceiling is a great way to improve the mood of a room.
A way to brighten things was to paint the ceiling white so it reflected the light back into the room. But modern lighting and bulbs have come a long way since then, and we often have various types and heights of light sources in our homes, so we no longer need a white ceiling to help out.
Lighter Ceiling = Brighter Room
"For increased lighting in a dimly-lit room, opt for a shade lighter on the ceiling. As a general rule of thumb, I would go 20% lighter on the ceilings," he says. However, if the room is naturally sun-drenched, you can probably get away with the same color on the walls and ceiling.
White is a popular ceiling paint color, and it's not just out of an adherence to tradition. Homeowners and designers favor white as a ceiling color because: White Reflects Light: The ceiling reflects light as much, or more than the other four walls.
Naturally, white is an obvious choice for making a room feel bigger. It's no secret that light colors make a room look larger, especially if the space is bathed in natural light. Eggshell or satin finishes will help reflect the light, creating the appearance of even more space.
For a clean, simple look, white ceilings are often the best choice for a room. When used overhead, white tends to disappear, so your attention focuses on the walls and furnishings. A white ceiling can also offset an intense wall color. Boldly colored walls appear crisp and sharp, and the ceiling feels higher.
White ceilings can undoubtedly help light bounce around a space and can make a room feel larger and brighter if the walls are also white.
White ceilings make rooms feel bigger by making the ceiling seem taller. They also brighten a room and make it appear clean and tidy, especially if the room is well lit. White ceilings are flexible, and they allow you to easily furnish the rest of your room without worrying about clashing colors.
Flat Acrylic Ceiling Paint
As the most common type of ceiling paint, this is best suited for low-humidity rooms, such as the bedrooms and living spaces. Flat paint does not reflect much light, which is appropriate for most ceilings.
'There is no right or wrong answer as to what color a ceiling should be painted; it all depends on the room and your preferences,' says Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore. 'White can definitely give the illusion of a higher ceiling, but don't be afraid to deviate from the norm and step outside your comfort zone.
Broker Sheila Trichter's go-to ceiling shade is Super White OC-152 by Benjamin Moore because it doesn't clash with other paint colors. “As the name indicates, it is really white and will contrast nicely with any other white or color that you may use on your walls,” she says.
Ceilings should almost always be painted in a flat, matte acrylic paint. The reason for this is that: Flat paint will not reflect light or draw attention away from the wall and room furnishings. Ceilings don't receive much wear and tear, so a glossy, durable paint is not necessary.
Before you tackle the so-called fifth wall of your room, make sure you're painting it first if you're planning on also painting the walls in the room. “You want to paint your ceilings first and then your walls," said Winters.
For any room, all-white or off-white paint color is always a fresh and clean choice. Conversely, vibrant wall colors are beautifully set off by white ceilings. A white ceiling makes smaller spaces feel larger. For seamless color flow, select a white for your ceiling that shares a similar undertone as the wall color.
Even if you have a bold color or a soft neutral on the walls, stick with a white ceiling to make the room feel taller.
There are a few reasons why your ceiling may be left looking patchy after painting. You may have used the wrong paint, applied too few coats, applied a second coat too soon, or used the incorrect equipment. It may be because you rushed the job.
Joanna Gaines, former HGTV fixer-upper star, is well-known for using white paint for kitchen cabinets, walls, ceilings, and furniture to create a bright and inviting feel in homes. Her go-to paint colors have almost become a trademark of her style, with white as one of her favorite colors.
Painting the walls and ceiling the same color is faster and less expensive than purchasing two separate colors of paint. It can help make the ceiling look higher. Painting walls with angled walls and ceilings the same color can avoid making the room look and feel choppy.
And with simple, unfussy cornicing, they're almost always painted a standard trade white. It might seem unadventurous by comparison, but white has become synonymous with ceilings. After all, white is versatile, forgiving and helps to reflect light, making the low ceilings feel loftier and more open.
When your ceiling moulding is in a room that already has baseboard trim, you might want to choose a color that complements the baseboard to keep the room's look clean and cohesive. Or, if you have a white chair rail in your living room, you might want to match that with the ceiling crown moulding.
How often should I paint my ceiling? You should paint your ceiling with a fresh coat about every ten to fifteen years. And it's best to paint your ceilings at the same time as the rest of your interior walls since the paint job requires moving furniture and obstacles out of the way.
While dark or light colors on the ceiling can often create sophisticated charm and enhance certain rooms, there are times when white is best. This is especially true if you are painting main living areas such as the family room or kitchen. If you value simplicity in these areas, white will likely be your best bet.