It’s no surprise that ceiling style has an overarching effect on a room. If your ceiling isn’t quite right, it will make your living areas appear smaller, dingier, and darker. Luckily, there are plenty of ceiling upgrades that will make a huge impact for homeowners on any budget! Let’s dive into some of our favorites:
1. Beam Upgrades and Installation
Beams add unmatched character to a room, no matter how big or small. If you’re lucky enough to own a home with original beams, a fresh coat of stain or paint can make a world of difference and create the pop your space is missing.
If your home isn’t blessed with original load-bearing beams, you can always add them whenever it fits your budget or schedule. The addition of faux beams can transform your room into the contemporary or rustic space you’ve always dreamt of and be a major selling point for buyers.
There are plenty of options for customizing your faux ceiling beam installation, so it’s easy to find a set to suit your vision, like the one shown above from This Old House.
There’s also the added bonus that faux beams won’t be nearly as susceptible to shrinking, warping, collapsing, or insect damage as their authentic counterparts!
2. Painted Ceilings for Added Flair
Posh sitting room in Jeffrey Bilhuber’s Seattle home makeover, photographed by Richard Powers
Are you hoping to add layers to a room with contrasting wall and ceiling colors? Or maybe you aim to open up your space by matching the two hues. Whatever your ceiling goals, there’s no question that painting up top will make any room a statement piece.
If you only crave a subtle difference, a good rule of thumb when learning how to paint your ceiling is to add a few drops of your wall color to a good amount of white paint and use the mixed color on your ceiling.
If you’re committed to the contrast, don’t be afraid to go totally rogue with a brand new shade overhead. If you have the right space for it, the results can be showstopping.
3. Black Ceiling Ideas
From black cabinetry and furniture to black exterior and interior walls, there’s no question that black is back in full force.
One way to add character to an already stunning space is to consider a black ceiling for incredible contrast.
The black ceiling pictured here is paired with geometric wallpaper, a trendy industrial light fixture, and elevated curtain placement to create a one-of-a-kind dining space in this contemporary home.
Thinking about taking a chance on a black ceiling, but worried it may be too much? A deep gray can make a similar statement and make more sense for lower, smaller ceilings.
4. Wallpapered Ceilings
Photo by Patrick Cline in Architectural Digest
While it’s definitely a more labor-intensive transformation, wallpapering your ceiling can produce some truly magical results. Check out a few of our favorite ceiling wallpapers for some major inspo:
Fun florals bursting with color, as seen in this dining room by Laura Umansky
Breezy botanicals like those in this New York editor’s posh bathroom, shown in Architectural Digest & photographed by Roger Davies
Pretty paisleys in unexpected neutral tones, featured in this Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles dining room
Statement stripes of all sizes, shown in this Icon Textiles mudroom
Installing wallpaper on your ceiling creates a truly custom space and can be expertly coordinated with a well-matched paint color on adjoining walls. Worried wallpaper is so seventies? According to Apartment Therapy, wallpapered ceilings are making quite the wave in modern-day home decorating.
Do you have what it takes to paper up the fifth wall?
5. Vintage Style Tin Ceilings
Also known as pressed metal ceilings, tin ceilings provide any space with a distinctly vintage look. Pair them with modern fixtures and finishes and a fresh coat of wall paint for a charming variation, like in this kitchen from This Old House, photographed by Jack Thompson.
The majority of today’s ceiling tiles are available in a few key materials:
- Steel ceiling tiles - The “original and most widely used material”
- Aluminum ceiling tiles- A lighter, cheaper copycat of steel ceiling tiles
- Stainless steel ceiling tiles- Easy to maintain, but best for a smaller space as it’s more expensive than its’ counterparts
- Copper ceiling tiles- One of our favorites due to the naturally-developing patina
- Plastic alternatives- Most of the above varieties are also available in faux options that can be easily glued, shown on this vaulted ceiling available from Ceiling Tiles by Us
To sum it up, a unique ceiling is a fabulous way to add character, increase a buyer’s interest, and create a space that is truly your own. Sometimes, extraordinary ceilings can be installed and maintained through DIY methods, but there's no harm in scheduling a free estimate with a trusted local contractor to weigh your options.
After the cost of materials, plus the time and labor needed to transform a large ceiling, hiring a professional may make the most sense. Luckily, the experts at HomePro Match can pair you with remodeling and painting pros in your area. Schedule a quote today with HomePro Match!
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