Selecting ceiling paint colours for design impact
A ceiling is the fifth wall of a room, offering an abundance of design opportunities to enhance overall schemes. In many interiors, bright white ceiling paint is a traditional choice made simply out of habit. Consider alternative hues that will create a scheme with integrity and design impact.
Explore inspiration for your scheme, considering all elements within a space and the atmosphere you want to create.
How to choose a ceiling paint colour for your space
The most important thing to consider when selecting the best paint for your ceilings is how
it will complement the other colours in your scheme. Whether opting for a colour highlight or classic white ceiling, a complementary shade creates a sense of complete cohesion.
Many people choose to paint their ceiling in a bright, brilliant white which can often create a harsh line. A stark discordance between your wall and ceiling colour may detract from your interior design. Instead, pair your chosen wall colour with coordinating lighter shades of white or neutral on the ceiling. Neutrals will create a beautiful, harmonious effect for a more comfortable living environment.
In the Paint & Paper Library Colour Atlas, every shade is presented alongside complementary neutrals from the Architectural Colours palette. These shades sit alongside a selection of coordinating paint colours. Use the lightest neutral in place of white to achieve a timeless colour scheme. Or consider introducing stronger paint colours for added impact.
Consider tonal shades for an encompassing, all-over feel. Alternatively, create a bold, statement ceiling with a contrasting paint colour.
Discovers six design ideas for painting a ceiling
Coordinate bolder wall colours with a neutral ceiling
A neutral ceiling provides an elegant accompaniment to a stronger wall colour. Painting your ceiling in a light, complementary neutral will allow your chosen wall shade to be the focal point of your scheme. This combination can deliver a classic, fresh and uplifting atmosphere.
Choose complementary neutrals from the Architectural Colours palette to create a harmonious interior. Slate I is a versatile off-white which pairs well with greens like Fynbos, Sobek and Chelsea Green II. With yellow undertones, Paper I teams perfectly with the impactful orange, The Long Room, resulting in a balanced finish.
Create a harmonious scheme with the Architectural Colours
The Architectural Colours palette enables you to create effortlessly coordinated schemes that incorporate the walls, woodwork and ceiling. Create a gentle, understated backdrop for any interior by painting your walls in a shade from the Architectural Colours. Then introduce the lightest shade in the same Architectural family on your ceiling.
This palette of 95 colours includes both classic neutrals and soft colours. For example, Sprig is a group of serene, soothing greens, ideal for a contemporary, tranquil living space. To add warmth to a space, select the red-based Leather Architectural Colours. These shades provide a comforting backdrop for a master bathroom.
Discover inspiring ways to incorporate the Architectural Colours into your scheme.
Pair light coloured walls with a deeper tonal ceiling
For added design interest, there is also the option to paint your ceiling in a deeper shade than the walls. To create this style, choose ceiling paint in the darkest shade from a group of Architectural Colours. Or, opt for a coordinating paint colour to accompany a two-tone wallpaper colourway.
Extend the use of colour down to the picture rail height to create the effect of a comforting canopy of colour. Consider Powder V with Powder III on the walls and Powder I on the woodwork for a living space. This colour combination provides elegance, restfulness and warmth.
Explore light and dark colour interior schemes for more inspiration.
Elevate your wall colour with a coordinating dark ceiling
If you’ve chosen a statement paint colour for your walls, a darker ceiling can create a sumptuous, cocoon-like ambience. This is a fabulous scheme to consider as an alternative to colour drenching. Opt for a dark ceiling to create an enhanced sense of luxurious, all-over colour.
Combine captivating, contemporary colours like Jaipur Pink with Kasbah to bring real vibrancy and warmth to a living room space. Frame your walls by painting your trim in the same colour as the ceiling to achieve a cohesive look. Alternatively, resonant greens like Apple Smiles II and Hunter Dunn work together beautifully. This colour pairing creates a calm, immersive oasis of colour.
Introduce a bright colour highlight to contrast with darker walls
Perhaps the most impactful way to decorate your ceiling is by juxtaposing dark walls with a bold, contrasting shade. This design thrives in rooms where you want to make a statement for guests, like a grand reception room or a luxurious guest bedroom.
Bright ceiling paint colours are a great way to showcase ceilings in period properties, as well as decorative cornicing and ceiling roses. Consider Grenache walls with Lady Char’s Lilac on the ceiling in a living space. Complete the scheme with a magnificent chandelier for added grandeur.
Or introduce an unexpected colour highlight of the traditional golden yellow, Pollen II, to enliven a bedroom painted in the deep green, Sencha.
Add impact to neutral walls with a statement ceiling
As the fifth wall, your ceiling can also become a striking focal point that will transform the look and feel of your scheme. With neutral walls and woodwork, your ceiling is an excellent host for a bold paint colour that reflects your personal style.
Explore complementary Architectural and Original Colours to find a harmonious colour combination to enhance your living space. Muga is a rich deep yellow that looks sumptuous on a large ceiling expanse. Pair with the Paper Architectural Colours on the walls and woodwork.
Additionally, a timeless monochrome pairing like Clean White and New Black can have real design impact.
What is the best paint finish for ceilings?
For most ceilings, we recommend choosing the chalky, matt finish of Pure Flat Emulsion paint. With its profound low sheen of just 2%, this matt paint achieves the ultimate luxurious, powdery effect. Pure Flat Emulsion works particularly well to complement strong or dark colours, perfect for a statement ceiling.
For high traffic spaces such as kitchens or hallways, consider using Architects’ Matt as a tough and washable alternative. This water-based paint has a 3% sheen in light colours and a 5% sheen in darker colours. With this durable flat finish, there is no need to compromise on a flawless finish to ensure your scheme offers durability and practicality.
The Paint & Paper Library Architects’ finishes are suitable for painting all interior and exterior surfaces, including walls and ceilings. So you can choose freely from a range of sheen levels – Matt, Eggshell, Satinwood and Gloss – to create your desired look.
Explore how to select a paint finish from Paint & Paper Library.
Can you paint a ceiling the same colour as the walls?
By drenching walls, woodwork and ceiling in one colour, there will be no significant colour contrasts to draw the eye. In turn, this combination of colours will exaggerate the size of your room. You can use an all-over colour drenching scheme with both understated neutral shades and stronger paint colours to create your desired mood and atmosphere.
Explore the complete range of Paint & Paper Library colours to discover the perfect paint for your ceiling.