Paint your ceiling the same color as your walls.
This will draw the eye up, which creates the illusion of a larger room and higher ceilings.
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.
Bathrooms are a perfect example of using the same color on the walls and ceiling, thus simplifying and making the room feel bigger and more modern. Large rooms. In a larger space, choosing a seamless look with either darker or lighter paint colors will unify the room and bring focus to your furniture and decor.
How to Choose Ceiling Paint Colors. As a general rule, ceilings that are lighter in tone than the walls feel higher, while darker colors will make the ceiling feel lower. That doesn't necessarily mean the room will feel claustrophobic, however. Visually lowered ceilings can evoke a cozy, intimate feeling.
Choose a lighter ceiling color.
Paint your ceiling a color lighter than the walls, preferably white. Some believe high-gloss paint is best because it reflects light and makes the ceiling look somehow less fixed and static, while others say a matte finish will help the ceiling to blend in more.
Although a flat finish is most popular, more ceiling paint finishes are available: Eggshell finish: After flat, eggshell finish is the next most popular ceiling paint finish. Eggshell paints offer a low sheen while still absorbing most light and hiding ceiling imperfections.
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.
They argue, "Satin is more durable and shinier than eggshell and is ideal for a bathroom. It's also easy to clean. Use it for the walls, ceiling, and even the trim, because many satin finishes are tougher than they once were. Semi-gloss is even tougher and a cinch to clean.
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.
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. Changing the color of your ceiling can greatly affect the amount of light in the room.
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.
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.
Painting the Ceiling Darker Than the Walls
So, obviously if a lighter ceiling makes the room feel higher, then painting them a darker color will make the room seem smaller. This could be a good thing if it's a very large room and you need the cozy feel. This will also accent any lighter colored trim and crown molding.
White is one of the most popular colors for home interiors. Enhance your home with white by following these tips. White walls contrast beautifully with natural wood flooring and trim.
Using a 2- to 3-inch brush, start at the edge of the ceiling and paint into the ceiling a few inches. Feather the strokes so the edge will blend in seamlessly once you use a roller to paint the rest of the ceiling.
How many coats of paint do I need? Generally, you will want a minimum of two coats of paint – this is a good rule of thumb for any wall or ceiling you're painting. You'll rarely get a seamless finish from just one coat of paint, and even if you do, coverage isn't the only goal when it comes to painting a room.
Tape around cornices, edges and any down lights. Just like a vertical wall, begin by cutting-in where the roller won't reach. Using a brush, paint around down lights and edges to create a border. Once you've loaded your roller evenly, begin in one corner and move fluidly in a parallel motion.
Satin sheen acrylic paint is a good choice for most areas like that. Semi-gloss can be used if more water resistance is needed, such as ceilings in shower stalls. Most people choose to paint their ceiling in a white or ivory color because it creates a more open feeling and reflects ambient light.
Flat, or matte paints as they are sometimes called, are ideal for ceilings in any room because they provide a smooth finish.
A flat white is always the best paint finish for ceilings, as the non-reflective finish reduces glare from artificial lights overhead and the clean white helps reflect natural light around the room, making it feel brighter and more open.