Interior Design Advice for Ceilings

For nearly all of the 20^th century, the ceiling has been ignored when it comes to interior design. Most people default to white ceilings done in flat paint. The most attention ceilings have received, as of late is texture, which many people have come to regret. However, ceilings are once again being noticed and even referred to as the fifth wall in a room.

Here are some ideas for integrating your ceiling into room design:

1: Give the ceiling some color. Add the same color you are adding to your walls to your ceiling. This makes the room feel more cozy and warm. If you want to room to have a more spacious feel, then paint it a lighter color than the walls. Choosing the lightest shade of your wall color will give you the desired effect. In the same way, if you want to make an oversized room feel more cozy, and then paint the ceiling a darker color than the walls.

2. Embellish your ceiling. If you look at older homes, built in the late 1800's or early 1900's you will notice a great deal of detail in the ceiling and ceiling molding. While you will be hard pressed to find an artist to add the same kind of detail into your ceiling, you can purchase molded embellishments reminiscent of times past at the hardware store. Embellishments can be anything from ceiling roses to cornices to entire tin ceilings and faux tin ceilings.

3. Consider decorative painting for your ceiling. If you want to details of a highly embellished ceiling, but do not have the budget for it, you can consider decorative painting. You can commission a detailed mural to be painted on your ceiling, or stencil simple designs on the ceiling yourself.

4. Add fabric to your ceiling: You can decorate the ceiling of your room with fabric. This works best in bedrooms for adults and children as fabric ads a luxurious and relaxing feel to the room. Your options with fabric are unlimited. You can use sheer fabric to give a room an ethereal feel, or any combination of bright silky fabrics to the ceiling. Your fabric can be installed to resemble the inside of a circus tent or in gently swags across the room.

Disclaimer: One of the reasons ceilings have been painted white and with flat paint, or textured is because color and satin paints show flaws. As the art of building became simply a trade to be done quickly, less care has been taken the surface of the ceiling. You have to take possible imperfections in the ceiling into account when painting it.