Some of the most dazzling decorating choices can cover areas you’d least suspect. Most of us don’t tend to think of ceilings as being the pinnacle of a given room’s décor. There are plenty of reasons for that, not the least being that ceilings aren’t something we tend to look at all that much. It’s not as if most of us go walking about our own homes or those of friends with our necks craned up, oohing and aahing. Even so, however, that’s precisely what happens when people come to Vatican City to visit the Sistine Chapel. The same may be said of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, with its dazzling blue dome.
Your ceiling has the potential to be one of the most eye-catching features in your home. Granted, you may not exactly be a Michelangelo, or a Byzantine or Muslim architect, but the fact remains that a beautiful ceiling can go a long way toward adding some much-needed color, light, and life to a room. Even if you don’t feel the need to make your ceiling a masterpiece unto itself, adding some subtle touches here and there can help your ceiling contribute to the overall beauty of a room.
Still, the question remains – which color is perfect for your ceiling?
To answer that question, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider.
Wall Color
Far and away, one of the most important factors you’ll want to consider when it comes to choosing the right color to paint your ceiling is the color or colors which already adorn your walls. Ideally, your ceiling and wall colors should either be the same, and thus run together to create a comprehensive look for a room from top to bottom, or else be complementary in some fashion.
Ceiling Fixtures
In addition, if you have fixtures on your ceiling, you’re going to want to take them into consideration. For example, if you have a nice, bright chandelier, chances are you aren’t going to want to have that paired with grim, dark colors (unless you’re going for an Edgar Allan Poe or Addams Family feel, of course.) You’ll want to think about the way the light from chandeliers and other lights will illuminate your ceiling, and pick a color accordingly. Warm pastels, ambers, blues, coffee cream, and other colors can be great choices here, making your chandelier light seem even warmer without being blindingly bright.
In addition, you’ll naturally want to cover or remove any and all chandeliers, ceiling fans, lights, and other fixtures while painting.
Home Décor Style
You ceiling color should ideally match your home’s overall style. If your home is rustic-themed, picking earthy colors that support that design aesthetic can be a great choice. By contrast, if you’re going for something more modern and minimalist, you’ll want to pick colors which are vivid yet understated for a nice, subtle effect. For Edwardian, Victorian, Georgian, and other period-inspired homes, you’ll want to look to ceilings from that era for color inspiration.
All this and more can help you choose the perfect color for your ceiling.
Marc Poulos began his real estate and financial services career, but he soon realized that his true passion was beautifying homes. He started working with various small craftsman shops before serving an apprenticeship with the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago. His commitment to excellence won him Top Apprentice from Washburne trade school in Chicago – the country’s premier school of its kind.
