What shade of white is best for ceilings?

Author: Claudine Kunde  |  Last update: Sunday, May 25, 2025

Favorite whites for ceilings include White Dove OC-17, Cloud White OC-130 and Decorator's White OC-149.

What is the best color white for a ceiling?

The Best White Paint Color
  • Wall color -- Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 (Regal matte)
  • Cabinetry color -- Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 (Regal semi-gloss)
  • Ceiling -- regular ceiling paint, not tinted

Should the ceiling be a different shade of white?

Painting the walls and ceiling the same color tends to work best in small rooms, large rooms, and rooms with vaulted ceilings. I typically recommend painting ceilings white or a lighter shade of the wall color. This offers subtle contrast and clean lines.

Which color shade is best for a ceiling?

White light colour is a great choice for any room as it enhances the brightness without being too harsh. It can complement different types of decor and create a warm and welcoming ambience.

Should I paint my ceiling flat or eggshell?

BUT, flat paint is recommended for ceilings and very low traffic areas for a reason. It's not as durable or easy to clean as eggshell or other higher sheen paints. So if you have pets or kids (or even husbands) that touch or bump into walls, flat paint will easily mar.

Ultimate Guide to Ceiling Paint Colors: 3 Must-Try Options!

What paint finish is best for ceilings?

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.

When should you not use eggshell paint?

Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.

What color paint makes ceilings look higher?

White makes your ceilings look higher and can open up a space. To make a small room look even bigger, paint your ceiling and wall the same color. When paired together, it blurs the boundaries, creating an illusion of height.

Is it better to paint the ceiling lighter or darker?

Vaulted, angled and asymmetrical ceilings, as long as the surface areas are flat, can sometimes be painted the same color as the walls. Again, use a darker shade for a more cozy feel and use a lighter shade to open up the room.

Which color is off-white?

What is the meaning of the color off‑white? Off-white color is the umbrella term for variations of white like ivory, white smoke, and snow. These almost-white hues are softer alternatives to crisp, pure white.

Why do people leave ceilings white?

White ceilings can make a room feel brighter and more spacious. They reflect light effectively, helping to distribute natural and artificial light evenly throughout the room. This can be particularly beneficial in spaces with limited natural light or rooms that you want to appear larger than they are.

Should ceilings be brilliant white?

As a Painter and Decorator, I always advise my clients to opt for a dull white rather than Brilliant White. Low sheen always looks better, particularly in large rooms, or in rooms with a lot of natural light.

What is atrium white?

Atrium White is a pale, gray, cosmetic white with a sandy undertone. It is a perfect paint color for interior trim. Pair it with warm shaded walls.

What shade of white is best for ceilings Behr?

A pure white with a bit gray undertone, Nano White is perfect for crisp, clean walls, trim, and ceilings. A white with subtle nuances of greige, Silky White is a balanced shade that enriches almost any color scheme.

What is Sherwin Williams' most popular white color?

What is the Most Popular Sherwin Williams White Paint?
  • Best All Over White: Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008.
  • Best Cool White: Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005.
  • Best Off White: Sherwin Williams Natural Choice SW 7011.
  • Best Modern White: Sherwin Williams Egret White SW 7570.

Should ceiling be a different shade of white?

"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.

What is the most popular ceiling color?

White is likely the most popular ceiling paint color for homes. This isn't just out of an adherence to tradition. Homeowners and designers favor white as a ceiling color because it creates an illusion of depth, reflects light, and is easy to apply and repair.

Should white trim be lighter or darker than walls?

White is often the go-to color for lighter trim, and it is frequently seen as the universally acceptable choice for trim no matter what style of room or home you have. If you have dark walls, light trim can make the room feel lighter and bring some cheer while making your windows and doorways pop with brightness.

Do you paint a ceiling towards the light or away?

It's best to work away from any light source, so start near the largest window, this will make sure you can see where you've painted and don't get any “misses”. “Cut in” around the edges of your ceiling with a medium sized brush (a 2-inch synthetic bristle brush is ideal).

Does painting a ceiling white make a room look bigger?

Light Colors

When you maximize the light in a room, the space tends to feel larger and more open. As such, most people using paint to make the room feel bigger opt for brighter colors that will reflect light. White works well, but you could also use colors like beige, gray, or pastels like yellow or blush.

How to make an 8 ft ceiling look higher?

How to make 8-foot ceilings look taller
  1. You can install crown moulding. ...
  2. You can install hanging lights. ...
  3. Take advantage of full-length curtains. ...
  4. Anything that can be installed up to the ceiling, should be. ...
  5. Embrace painting your ceilings. ...
  6. Install full-height decorative moulding.

What is the best color for high ceilings?

Cool shades of grey, blue, green or lavender provide you with a lighter and open feeling without making the room seem bigger. Paint colours for a large living room should always make the space feel more inviting and cosy.

Should ceilings be flat or eggshell?

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. Another benefit of a flat finish is that it doesn't scuff easily.

Do designers use flat or eggshell paint?

Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why we chose this as our ultimate finish for walls. The name eggshell stems from the fact the finish appears mostly flat with just a touch of luster... similar to a chicken egg!

Should I use a roller or brush for eggshell paint?

Short or medium pile microfibre mini rollers are the best when applying water-based, woodwork paints, such as Quick Dry Eggshell, Quick Dry Satinwood or Quick Dry Gloss. Avoid using foam mini rollers when applying Quick Dry products, as these can cause paint bubbles to form when rolled onto the surface.

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