'Painting the walls, woodworks and ceiling in the same color is a great way of creating a cohesive vibe in a place, creating both depth and harmony,' explains Kathrine Errboe of Danish paint brand File Under Pop. 'It ties the room together and creates a calm canvas for other elements.
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. Favorite whites for ceilings include White Dove OC-17, Cloud White OC-130 and Decorator's White OC-149.
'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.
If you paint the ceiling a darker color than the walls, it will make the ceiling feel closer and the room feel smaller. But if you paint the ceiling a lighter color than the walls, it will make the room feel bigger, even if you are using dark shades on the walls.
Evidently, white ceiling paint is everyone's favorite, and for good reason. Certainly, it can illuminate any room. Further, matching your walls to the ceiling creates a cohesive and clean look. At the same time, it can double the size of a room visually.
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.
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.
A white ceiling will reflect the most amount of light and can help tie together other contrasting elements of your room. According to Sherwin Williams, white is the right choice, especially when the room lacks light. “While somewhat cliché, white ceilings are sometimes the best choice for a room.
On the contrary, flat paint offers a chalky, matte finish that doesn't reflect light. Therefore, flat paint is a good choice when it comes to applying on ceilings. Flat paint actually lowers down the light glare, making it an appropriate choice for ceilings.
While you may be tempted to use whatever leftover paint you have around your home, it's really important that you use ceiling paint, which comes in a flat finish. This kind of paint has a higher viscosity, meaning it will be much slower to drip or to splatter while it is being applied.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most ceiling paints have a flat finish, often the very flattest finish that the paint manufacturer produces. Any kind of glossiness, even the slight eggshell or satin sheen, shows up on ceilings. But as another attention-getting device, ceilings are sometimes painted in high-gloss sheens.
When to Use Eggshell Paint. Eggshell is commonly used in living rooms and dining rooms, as it is durable and does not pick up dirt easily. If your walls have bumps or imperfections, an extra coat of eggshell can disguise them more easily than satin or high-gloss finishes.
High Reflective White is Sherwin-Williams' cleanest white paint color. It's brighter than Pure White and can be used as a trim and ceiling color with Pure White. Most painters prefer Pure White as a trim and ceiling color because it has more pigment and is easier to paint with than High Reflective White.
Although you may get away with one coat when just refreshing your white ceiling, two coats will really give a bright and fresh finish.
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.
For smooth ceilings, use a low nap roller. For a textured ceiling, use a roller with 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch nap. Regularly use the paint tray to load the roller with ceiling paint and roll slowly. Begin rolling when the paint cut line is still wet.
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.