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. White Provides an Illusion of Depth: A white ceiling color gives the illusion of depth; dark ceiling colors have a visual stop point.
And with simple, unfussy cornicing, they're almost always painted a standard trade white. It might seem unadventurous by comparison, but white has become synonymous with ceilings. After all, white is versatile, forgiving and helps to reflect light, making the low ceilings feel loftier and more open.
'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.
White is by far the most popular color people use to paint their ceilings. A white ceiling reflects the most amount of light, creating the look of a larger space.
A way to brighten things was to paint the ceiling white so it reflected the light back into the room. But modern lighting and bulbs have come a long way since then, and we often have various types and heights of light sources in our homes, so we no longer need a white ceiling to help out.
Ceilings are most often painted white to reflect light and brighten up a room. White ceiling paint is the most popular choice for homes. However, choosing to paint your ceiling a color can be a refreshing change of pace. A dark or light-colored ceiling is a great way to improve the mood of a room.
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.
Matching Walls = Sleeker Look. If you have an upstairs room or attic with angled or dormered ceilings, O'Connor says painting the walls and ceiling the same color is the way to go. "It can hide an uneven transition line at the slope and elongate the space while also making it feel very cozy," she says.
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.
Pro painting tips will usually tell you to follow a certain order when painting a room. They paint the trim first, then the ceiling, then the walls. That's because it's easier (and faster) to tape off the trim than to tape off the walls. And you certainly don't want to tape them both off!
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.
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.
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.
Painting angled walls and ceilings all one color can prevent a choppy, disjointed look. When the ceiling and walls are the same white, you won't have conflicting undertones. Painting the walls and ceiling all one color is faster and more affordable. It can help make a large room feel cozier.
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.
The consensus is that grey is out and warm neutrals will continue to dominate in 2023.
Vintage Interior Design
Whether it's a classic mid-century modern piece or a vintage-inspired color palette, this design style effortlessly withstands the test of time, making it a perennial favorite for those seeking enduring elegance and character in their homes.
Along with mid-century-inspired curved furniture, the brown tones of this period are also poised to make a major comeback in 2023. This natural color—particularly its darker varieties—creates a sense of earthy stability, says Claire Druga, an interior designer based in New York City.
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.
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.
The most common color used on ceilings is “Swiss Coffee White,” Campbell adds, a very soft white with a hint of beige in it.
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.
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.