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What Color Should I Paint My Ceiling?

Ceilings are an interesting topic, partly because they are nearly always so uninteresting! For decades, they were almost all just flat white, and the only variety was whether you used big lumps or small in the popcorn texture. Fortunately, those days are coming to an end, as more and more homeowners are waking up to the captivating design possibilities of this important surface. So, should you paint your ceiling? What paint color should you choose?

Let's tackle those questions one at a time:

Should I Paint My Ceiling?

If you think your ceiling is dull, outdated, ugly or bland, then painting is a great way to give it new life and beauty. However, the surface needs to be in good shape, or the paint won't really help much:

  • Have popcorn texture removed. (It's a very messy project if you try to do it yourself, and it can be hazardous, as a lot of popcorn texture contains asbestos. It's best to hire a professional for this.)
  • Make sure the surface is smooth and flat.
  • If there are stains on the ceiling, coat them with a stain-blocking primer.
  • Ensure that the ceiling is clean (free of cobwebs and other substances that can get stuck in the paint)

What Color Should I Paint My Ceiling?

Flat-white ceilings aren't going away any time soon. As long as the ceiling is smooth and clean, white paint is a classic, attractive option. However, if you are willing to branch out from that, there are many other exciting possibilities:

Paint your ceiling the same color as the walls. This works well if your walls are a lighter color such as beige or light gray. The effect is to erase the contrast between walls and ceiling, making a uniform appearance. When you do this, anything you put in the room that is of a different color, such as furniture or decorations, really stands out! If you have crown moldings in the room, paint them a glossy white, and the matching ceiling and walls will really look fantastic!

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Photo by Martha O'Hara Interiors - More bedroom photos

Paint your ceiling the same color, but a couple shades darker or lighter than the walls. This provides unity to the room colors, without being uniform. If you have tall ceilings and want to make the room more cozy, use a darker shade of the wall color on your ceiling. If the room is small and you want to make the ceiling feel higher, use a lighter shade of the wall color.

The most adventurous option is to paint your ceiling a totally different color from that of the rest of the room. This tends to work best if your walls are white or a light neutral. Black is quickly growing as a popular choice, as well as gray. However, all kinds of colors can work great, from glowing orange to serene blue to electric purple. Whatever color you choose, go with a semi-gloss or glossy paint to make the color really pop! Also, you should incorporate that ceiling color somewhere else in the details or accents of the room, to tie it all together.

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Photo by Tobi Fairley Interior Design - Search bedroom design ideas

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Photo by Greg Riegler Photography - Look for bedroom pictures

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Photo by Tara Seawright Interior Design - Browse kitchen ideas

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Photo by Plath & Company - More nursery photos

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Photo by Jamie Laubhan-Oliver - Search living room pictures

For more ideas, do a search for "painted ceilings" on a site like Houzz or Pinterest.

Professional Painting Company in Connecticut

Painting your ceiling can be a messy affair, and getting those surfaces smooth and flat can be quite a challenge. Hiring a professional painter is the best way to ensure you will have beautiful, high-quality results (plus it will save you a ton of time!).

For homeowners in Connecticut, Southington Painting would love to serve you. We provide all kinds of interior painting services, such as popcorn ceiling removal, drywall repair, wallpaper removal and installation, staining of woodwork, and of course, we paint ceilings. We also have a professional decorator who can help you choose the perfect color to paint your ceiling. Call us today if you have any questions about painting ceilings, or to schedule an estimate.

Serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Dutchess County and Putnam County, Southington Painting is your best choice for residential painting in New England.

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