Should I Paint That? Painting Ceilings

EYES tend to stay looking forward or down – it is not often people actually look upwards. So it is very easy to overlook your ceiling when deciding to freshen up a room with some redecoration – especially if it is not in any obvious poor repair. But just because it is up there, out of the way, does not mean your ceiling is not an important feature of your room.

Indeed some interior designers think of it as the fifth wall, and what you do with it can have a big impact on the feeling of the whole room. Even if you stick to traditional plain white, a fresh coat of paint will brighten up the whole room and finish off the effect you have carefully been working on with the more obvious walls. It is surprising how much a ceiling will discolor slowly over time, especially if it is a high traffic room such as a kitchen or there is a smoker in the house.

But there are many more ways to make use of the ceiling than just plain white. Adding just a few drops of color from the paint used on the walls will help tie the ceiling into the overall hue of the room, for example. And a ceiling is a large space – by definition, the same footprint as the whole room and without the clutter of furniture, so it is a substantial piece of real estate to leave without attention.

Other techniques for making an impact and topping off your redecoration is to paint the ceiling in a lighter shade of the wall color – taking the few drops idea a step or two further, and making a bold statement. Or even go the whole way and paint the ceiling – and even any trims and cornicing – with the same paint as the wall to create a look known as enveloping.

Traditionally, homeowners avoid dark colors on ceilings for fear of making the room seem enclosed and small – but it can work the other way and open up a room into infinity. Think of looking up at the night sky and feeling dwarfed by the enormity of the universe. Big box stores, theaters, nightclubs, and many bars and restaurants use this trick to great effect – painting ceilings and any ductwork or piping black makes the ceiling simply disappear from sight. But matte finishes are still usually better than gloss – light naturally reflects off gloss and will highlight any imperfections in the plasterwork much more than the duller finishes.

Lighter shades of paint work better with high levels of natural light, and darker shades often accentuate mood and atmosphere in a room where lights are dimmed or candles are burning.

And, of course, another reason ceilings get overlooked by home decorators is they are much harder to do than the walls, needing ladders and a sore neck. But if you are thinking of having a home makeover, call PaintPositive today for a free quotation – we have the tools and experience to paint your walls and ceiling without causing you any neck pain.