The ceiling is easy to forget when designing a room. It's white; it's up there; it's invisible. But a ceiling with architectural detail or one with problems or one that doesn't quite measure up can benefit from a new finish. When you need something more ambitious than white or beige, borrow some ideas from interior design experts to transform your ceiling.
Decorative Painted Ceilings
No reason exists as to why a ceiling shouldn't be just as important as a wall in a room. If the ceiling has architectural features like a dome, moldings or a central medallion, use decorative finishes to highlight the design. Cloud-painted ceilings can be as simple or realistic as the painter's imagination and ability, and they bring a ceiling alive. Faux glazing the ceiling in several layers of color turns a room into a jewel box. Stencils create the impression of a medallion or draw attention to one that anchors a chandelier or ceiling fan. A stencilled design around the border of a high ceiling can be whimsical in a child's room or regal in a library or living room. Gilding is rich and palatial in a formal living or dining room. Venetian plaster romanticizes a room, especially when the ceiling is then painted an interesting color over the plaster finish.
Faux Ceiling Height Techniques
When the ceiling is too high or too low, create the illusion of its opposite with paint. A low ceiling makes a room seem dark and oppressive but white or light paint that flows from the upper walls over the ceiling draws the eye upward with no fixed stopping point. Crown molding that is painted the same color as the walls makes them seem taller and the ceiling farther away. Walls above a chair rail should be painted the same color and finish as the ceiling. And a pale blue ceiling will feel as endless as the sky. To "lower" a ceiling that is lost in the stratosphere, paint it a darker color than the walls. Double the effect by extending the ceiling paint one foot down the walls, measuring and marking carefully so the border is exactly even. Decorative ceilings are too visual to ignore and bring the ceiling closer to the viewer.
Popcorn and Textured Ceilings
Textured ceilings are one effective way to disguise a flawed ceiling surface, avoid replacing a visually distressed ceiling, provide some noise insulation and make a high ceiling seem lower. They no longer add value to a home but if you aren't selling and you like the look, consider a textured popcorn ceiling and sprinkle it while the finish is still wet with gold, silver or crystal flakes for extra shine. If popcorn is too yesterday for you, a venetian plaster finish will hide a less-than-perfect ceiling as will orange peel or knock-down texture-adding techniques.
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