6 Steps to a Spectacular Ceiling

Don’t Forget the 5th Wall – Ceilings Need Love, Too!

When painting a room, it’s easy to get caught up in the basics: wall color and trim. People often get so overwhelmed with the “four walls” of their space that they overlook one of the most important areas of the room — the ceiling. Often referred to as the 5th wall, it’s a large, visible space that, if given some love, can totally transform a room.

Every wall is an opportunity. Imagine if Michelangelo skipped the ceiling!

The ultimate ceiling: The Sistine Chapel

Often less expensive than wall paint, ceiling paint is manufactured to dry faster and splash less, cover imperfections and is usually pretty easy to work with. Ceiling paints are created to be extra flat; this scatters the light and blurs imperfections on large surfaces. That’s why you don’t use ceiling paint on walls — the trade-off for that extra flat finish means it’s less washable. Thankfully, unless your Spiderman, you won’t have pesky fingerprints to clean.

When preparing for your ceiling paint, pay special attention to the light and how it reflects upwards on the space. The green from your landscaping can influence how the color reads, just as a cooler blue tone can be case if you live near a body of water.

The white ceiling provides a finished feel and welcomes the natural light. Here, they upped the game with a gloss finish.

6 Steps to a Spectacular Ceiling:

1. White: Usually the most obvious ceiling choice is white. It’s a safe choice that’s effective at making ceilings brighter, especially when the walls are lighter, giving it a traditional, clean feel. Typically, you match the ceiling to the same white shade as the trim. This is a great option for a bright, open areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
2. Monochramatic: Another option is to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls, providing a monochromatic feel. Soothing to the eye, it adds an element of depth and drama, often making the ceilings appear higher. This affect will “erase” the boundary between the walls and ceiling.
3. Use a percentage: Get creative and go a shade darker or lighter to add depth, dimension and interest. Darker ceilings will allow a room to feel a little lower and more intimate (best for higher ceilings), while a shade lighter than the wall color provides a lifting effect.
4. Add a pop of color: Go crazy on the ceiling! Paint it a totally different color or create a design to make a statement. It’s your home after all, so it should reflect you and your creativity! Bright colors can add a sense of fun and whimsy to kids spaces without overwhelming the whole room.

   

   Kids rooms are the perfect place to let your creative juices flow!

5. Shine on: Adding a gloss to the ceiling makes a major design statement by creative a reflective, minor-like surface. It can brighten the entire room, make the color seem more intense and make the ceilings seem higher. So chic. 
   

   Kitchen ceiling painted in Cousteau gloss, C2-713

   

   C2 Paint LUXE offers the beauty of full spectrum color with a gloss sheen, and can be tinted to any color imaginable.

6. Don’t forget porch ceilings: One of the most revered paint colors for porches is pale blue to add a classic design detail that gives the space personality. Though made famous in the south, this color is popular nationwide for a variety of reasons: some say it brings the outside in; others say it keeps away evil spirits and wasp nests…but most everyone agrees it’s a soothing color for relaxing outdoors.