A white ceiling will have similar effects to a ceiling painted lighter than your walls; it will allow your ceiling to disappear from focus and bring either your decor or your walls to center stage. A white ceiling will reflect the most amount of light and can help tie together other contrasting elements of your room.
Opt for a White or Neutral Color Scheme
“Light hues on the walls and ceiling can really help lighten a naturally dark space,” Schuster says.
'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.
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.
The room doesn't get a lot of natural light.
In rooms that don't get much light, white ceiling paint is best as it works to reflect more light into these darker spaces.
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 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.
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.
A white ceiling will have similar effects to a ceiling painted lighter than your walls; it will allow your ceiling to disappear from focus and bring either your decor or your walls to center stage. A white ceiling will reflect the most amount of light and can help tie together other contrasting elements of your room.
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.
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.
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.
A bright, white ceiling can create the illusion of more space and light, and makes a room look bigger than it actually is. On the other hand, using a bold ceiling colour, or the same colour as the walls in the room can add some drama and personality to a room, and make the space feel nice and cosy.
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. Bonus if you're able to install some trim and crown molding, as I've found this can also make the ceilings look higher.
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. Designers prefer Pure White because that slight splash of warmth makes it more forgiving to pair with other colors, and it looks better with earthier finishes than HRW.
White paint can work well in any room or space, but it's important to consider factors such as natural light, the purpose of the room, and personal preferences. For example, bright white might not be suitable for a cozy bedroom, but a warmer shade of white could create a calming ambiance.
"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.
Add reflective surfaces
Yes, you know that mirrors make a space appear larger. (“It's like doubling a room,” Curtis says.) But other reflective surfaces — high-gloss painted ceilings, lacquered furniture, shiny tile on a kitchen backsplash — have a similar effect, casting light and creating the illusion of volume.
Pale Blues
When paired with other light colors, like pale pink and white, it sets a calming tone to any room. This is one color that can definitely make a room feel bigger.
Let in the Light
Any room will look larger if it's well-lit, either by natural light or artificial lighting. Get rid of heavy draperies, and open up the windows to let the light of the outdoors into the space. Add more lamps or install track lighting or recessed lighting.
However, some experts have made predictions about what colors may be popular for ceilings as well in 2023. Some color trends that have been predicted for 2023 include: Dark and moody colors such as deep blue, navy, and charcoal gray, which can create a sense of drama and elegance in a room.
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.
Many interior designers believe that all-white designs are on their way out of style. According to Insider, homeowners are adding lots of color to make their spaces feel warmer and cozier. Veranda agrees and adds that muted colors and fun patterns are becoming more popular than all-white.
If you do want any kind of sheen on the ceiling, use the flattest sheen other than flat: eggshell. Little is to be gained by using a ceiling paint that has a gloss. Gloss is valuable because its binders create a smoother, tighter surface bond, making it easier to wipe dirt or smudges from walls.
If there are brown spots on your ceiling, it is most likely caused by a leak of some kind. This issue could be because of a plumbing pipe, a problem with your roof, or a heating appliance. Brown stains appear when water seeps into your ceiling and evaporates, leaving behind discolored deposits.