5 Creative Ways To Add Character To Your Ceiling
Ceilings are usually left behind when the whole house is decorated. The walls, furniture, and other elements seem more important since they come with endless options, but a lot can be done with ceilings too! Fondly known as the "fifth wall," this area is a core part of the room and provides a unique opportunity to show personality in your home. One example is this DIY lace ceiling medallion project by From House To Home, which would get anyone's attention.
Because they are rarely maximized, doing something with ceilings will make your home stand out. An overhead with character is a great way to dive deeper into your design theme and achieve more dimension in a room. See it as another opportunity to experiment and be creative, says The Paint Shed. If you're inspired to try something different, here are innovative ways to add character to your ceiling so it doesn't fade into the background.
1. Paint it a bold color
Thinking of the ceiling as the fifth wall helps you make design decisions because you'll be able to visualize it as a fundamental part of the room, per Mad About The House. Instead of white or another neutral, an intense color will tell a story and create a mood in the room. One way to do this is by choosing a shade based on the colors of the walls or wallpaper to tie everything together. If your walls are bold, painting the ceiling the same color will also create the illusion of more space.
If you want a different color from the walls, see how you can play off all the elements in the room to create a particular atmosphere. Livingetc recommends colors like yellow to bring in the feel of sunshine; black to create surprising but also communicate sophistication; and red, which can add a dramatic feeling to any room.
2. Put up wallpaper
Applying wallpaper is a creative way to experiment in any room. Wallpapers are great for adding texture and depth and playing with space limits. They make a room feel playful and cozy yet spacious, says Lick. If all the elements in the room are generally playing it safe, wallpaper on the ceiling will add that element of surprise that introduces visual interest.
Some spaces in the house would significantly benefit from wallpaper ceilings, notes CoverWalls. Tall rooms can feel warmer, while rooms for children and the elderly can feel more comforting with specific patterns overhead. Love to DIY? Wallpapering a ceiling is an easy project, according to wikiHow. To prepare, cover your floors and ceiling fixtures, so they don't get affected during the process. Then, apply the wallpaper following the instructions. After, make sure to run the applicator on every section and corner so that it adheres properly and isn't loose or uneven.
3. Add decorative molding
Would you rather achieve texture and dimension without wallpaper? Then, decorative molding is the choice for you. This unique architectural feature involves making designs and lines on different surfaces and corners in the house. Molding comes in various types, like crown molding, which connects walls to the ceiling, the casing around doors and windows, and dentil, a more intricate option, via Material Bespoke Stone + Tile.
Decorative molding can make a room feel elegant without costing too much. With any design and shape, you can create a seamless flow between the walls and the ceiling and make your fifth walls appear higher with crown molding. Decorative molding is also a smart way to hide any imperfections or flaws. If you want to install the crown molding yourself, Baileylineroad advises trying samples of different widths, making marks for the nails, and getting corner blocks before you begin.
4. Install wooden beams
Ceiling beams have been around since 1800, when people used beams for various types of residential buildings, according to Roman Rock. Now, exposed wooden beams on the ceiling are a bold architectural move appreciated for their old appeal. Exposing the beams already in the fifth wall or installing faux ones is a great way to add a solid touch to your space and balance a more delicate décor. Wooden beams are especially fitting if your room has a rustic or natural aesthetic.
You can remove your ceiling to expose the beams in your roof, but make sure they have the appearance you'd like because they don't all look the same. It's also possible to add beams to your ceiling, but consider how much headspace you will have after. More overhead space is always better! Opt for faux or box beams if solid wood is out of your budget. These will be easier to install and more practical because they are lighter and hollow on the inside, advises the Woodland Custom Beam Company.
5. Add a ceiling medallion
Ceiling medallions had their roots in the 1800s when they were commonly found in Victorian houses of certain status. They are decorative pieces that connect the ceiling to any light fixtures on it, per AM GROUP STUDIO. Medallions can be made out of real plaster, which is better quality, or polyurethane foam, which is lighter and easier to DIY. They can be formed in various shapes, although they are typically round, and the detailed designs are commonly floral or geometric, notes Brownstoner.
This creative way to add character to your ceiling is because it brings that classic, elegant touch. It is also great to tie together a chandelier and the trim or crown molding you have. To get the right effect, your ceiling medallion should be the right fit for your light fixture — not too small that it looks awkward and not too big that it overshadows it. It should also fit right in with any other major elements in the room, says AM GROUP STUDIO.