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.
Most ceiling paints have a flat (or matte) finish. A flat finish doesn't reflect lights and will hide most irregularities and defects in the ceiling. On the other hand, reflective sheens draw the eye upward and can detract from the rest of the room.
Flat, or matte paints as they are sometimes called, are ideal for ceilings in any room because they provide a smooth finish.
Areas with high humidity will need a paint with at least a little sheen. 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.
If you want a flat, white ceiling, then ordinary flat sheen white interior latex paint that is not labeled as ceiling paint can be applied on the ceiling. But using ceiling paint will make the process go smoother; will result in a better-looking ceiling; and will produce fewer drips and splatter.
Favorite whites for ceilings include White Dove OC-17, Cloud White OC-130 and Decorator's White OC-149. Check out our most popular whites on the White Color Family page, then head to your local Benjamin Moore retailer to buy a paint sample: We always recommend you “live” with any color before you buy it-even white!
Why are ceilings usually painted with flat interior house paint? Probably the biggest reason to use flat paints on ceilings is that it does not draw attention. Flat paint does not reflect light, so it does not catch your eye. This allows the walls to be more of a focal point in your room.
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 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.
Most painting experts agree that using flat latex paint for ceilings is best. This goes for both light and dark ceilings. Accordingly, too much gloss on a ceiling may become distracting in a room. This becomes even more of an issue when paired with eggshell or satin walls.
In general, a matt, flat paint is the preferred option for ceilings. However, there are some rooms and instances where a gloss paint, which has more moisture resistance than flat paint, might be a better fit.
The washable feature of a matte paint is what makes it hard to apply evenly. Dead flat paints are fluffed up with chalk and clay and that's why they look good on a ceiling and that is what the matte paint is missing.
If your ceiling has something special about it that you want to draw attention to, glossy paints are a great way to do it! Paints with reflectiveness to them create a sleek, modern look when used on a ceiling.
Dulux Magic White Matt helps to give your ceiling a professional touch with a formula that fades from pink to white in under an hour, ensuring you don't miss a spot.
Shadows make colours appear darker on ceilings so if you just use the same white up the walls and over the ceiling your ceiling will appear darker. Use the same white that you are using on your trim and internal doors. It may be that you are using a very light white on the walls with a fresh white for the trim.
There's no rule that says you have to paint a ceiling white, but it's certainly an option, and there are tons of shades of white that each has their own nuances and undertones.
Flat/Smooth
The most common type of ceiling finish is flat or smoothed ceilings. There's nothing special to a flat or smooth ceiling, but that's exactly the point for many people.
You can use a wall emulsion to paint ceilings, all interior wall emulsions are technically suitable for ceilings too but for the best finish, a flat matt paint on a ceiling gives the best overall look. It helps to hide any uneven areas or surface imperfections that are often highlighted by the light.
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.
Flat paint needs a rough surface for it to stick properly. If the area is not sanded and the flat paint is applied directly over the semigloss finish, your risk of paint peeling becomes greater, and you will have to refinish it.
Painting in a flat, matte or satin finishes will soak up light, while semi-gloss, high-gloss and lacquer finishes tend to reflect light, which make a darker room feel brighter and lighter, said Edith Gregson, partner at DJ Ireland Interior Architecture & Design, an interior design firm in Washington DC.
Semi-gloss paints are ideal for surfaces and fittings, such as doors, trim, window casings, door frames, baseboards, and even retouching and restoration of furniture pieces, cabinets, built-ins, etc. This type of paint also works well for rooms with high-humidity levels, such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
You should be using flat paint on walls and areas that have a lot of bumps, scratches, or holes. Since it can conceal these blemishes easily, it'll be the one paint finish you'll want to be using. It's best for low-traffic rooms that have a ton of light like offices and more formal rooms, like dining rooms.
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.
"I have been considering it the fifth wall for some time," says colorist and interiors consultant Martin Kesselman, who says that a ceiling should always be painted.