24 Inexpensive Bathroom Ceiling Ideas That Add Huge Design Impact

While there is nothing wrong with a simple, standard bathroom, if you keep it plain, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to introduce some life and show off your design skills. As a smaller space of your home, you may find it difficult to infuse some personality into this room. One of the best ways to add more interest is by installing a feature on the ceiling. From plastic wood beams to paint to crown molding, here are 24 inexpensive bathroom ceiling ideas that add a huge design impact.

While normally overlooked, your washroom ceiling is a blank canvas with the potential to make an immense statement. Since your bathing area likely isn't very large, it is the optimal size to DIY many of these projects, sometimes finishing them even over a weekend. However, for any part that needs more precision, extra equipment, or expert guidance, call a professional painting or ceiling team. 

The price of your room covering upgrade will vary depending on your existing ceiling type, such as suspended, coved, shed, or cathedral. You also need to consider cost fluctuations due to other materials you'll have to collect. Typical bathroom ceilings are drywall or popcorn ceilings, a lumpy-textured spray-on paint. In many projects, this material may need to be removed to ensure a smooth installation process, which will also affect the end price. With that being said, many of these ideas are conventional and easy to work with.

A mirrored ceiling can add some personality to your bathroom without costing you tons of money. Purchase mirrored ceiling tiles in your budget, then follow the instructions of whatever brand you purchase and install it on your ceiling. Get creative and build interesting designs, or keep it simple by applying it to only a patch. No matter what you do, mirrors will make a statement in your restroom, helping the room appear bigger, bringing in more natural light, and potentially reducing energy costs by limiting the amount of lights you need.

Another option is to have a striped focal moment as a stunning statement to give your space a whole new look on a dime. All you need is a ruler, paint of your choice, brushes, and painter's tape. Use your ruler and stick the tape down on your surface to build out your stripes. Under the tape will be your base ceiling color. If you don't want that shade, first paint the solid base, then let it dry and add the tape. All the exposed ceiling will be your new hue, making a striking appearance in any bathroom.

A grandiose way to inexpensively insert elegance into your bathroom is by installing plastic wood beams. You don't even need many; depending on the size of your restroom, you could add just a pair or three. Plastic wood beams look like wood but are much lighter, cheaper, and easier to install. While there are many different color choices, choose a shade that goes with your room's aesthetic. Attach it to your ceiling and watch how a few beams make a statement. Alternatively, there are sustainable options, including reclaimed wood.

Easily elevate any bathroom ceiling with LED lights. When planning a lighting layout, consider where you need the most light in the space. Many of these options are customizable where they can change colors or even perform light shows. Integrating these lights can help so you don't stub your toe during those late night bathroom trips. LED lights can also last a while, and replacing them is often pretty simple. You can affix lights through built-in options, strips, or stick-ons.

Develop a stunning focal piece in your bathroom with a peel and stick marble ceiling. Marble is often used on countertops, vanities, backsplashes, and floors, so why not integrate it into your ceiling as well? You can match your ceiling to one element in your restroom like the tile in the shower, or you can marble the entire space from bottom to top, creating a seamless room. While peel and stick ceiling tiles will be the most inexpensive, there are also more durable options available.

Bathroom ceilings are getting a bold makeover with wallpaper. The most amazing feature about this type of ceiling covering is that you have a plethora of styles and design choices as well as in-person and online stores, making it easy to find an option that fits your budget. If you are an artist or have a particular design in mind, some places even have build-your-own wallpaper options. Before you purchase your covering, measure the space to ensure you have enough materials and follow the instructions that came with the product. 

An easy, affordable way to elevate your bathroom ceiling is with a pop of color. You can choose just about any shade, whether that is a calming blue or a zesty yellow. You can even seamlessly blend the wall and ceiling colors, instantly brightening the room. Alternatively, keep the walls a neutral hue and set out other décor pieces that match the ceiling color. It often doesn't take a lot of paint to cover the bathroom ceiling since the space is small. Some people even only apply the shade over the bath or shower to create some depth.

A bathroom ceiling fan is an upgrade that will likely cost you around a couple hundred dollars, and it will instantly and easily transform your space. There are a ton of different options in a variety of prices, making it a simple design update that you can find under your budget. Many of these fans even come with cool features like smart home integrations or a remote control. Not only will this look amazing in the space, but it can also aid in ventilation and keeping the bathroom cool.

Add impact to your restroom's design with a coffered covering. This type of ceiling looks like it has layers or sunken squares, and in many cases it has a grid-like appearance. To know if a coffered ceiling is right for your space, you need to choose your materials wisely and measure correctly. You don't want to accidentally shorten a space by making the architectural element too deep; therefore, it would look exceptional in a bathroom with a high ceiling.

Incorporate a farmhouse lover's favorite design element, shiplap, on a bathroom ceiling. This is an excellent style choice for rustic and natural themed restrooms. To accomplish this project, you need to grab shiplap boards. They can even be the same ones you use on your walls or floors. There are a variety of colors to choose from, easily fitting your current home design. Don't forget to check out sustainable options like reclaimed shiplap. Follow the installation instructions and watch as you create a cozy washroom retreat. 

Thin wood slats add a flair like no other on your bathroom ceiling. While similar to wood beams, these are on a much smaller scale and with more pieces. Place each thin piece next to the other, leaving enough space for a gap. When installed, this offers the room some depth and dimension without breaking the bank. You can even paint or stain it whatever color you want. A cool feature that comes with wood slats is that they absorb echoes, giving you a more peaceful and serene space. 

Bring some nature indoors and introduce dimension to your bathroom with hanging plants. To successfully suspend plants from the ceiling, you need to have the right hook, best location, and a sturdy hanger. Once up, you'll need to remember to properly maintain and care for your green additions. And don't forget that every plant is different, so try to choose options that can handle indoor living and don't need as much attention, especially since they are up so high. It may help to pick ones that have the same growing requirements.

If you are a DIY enthusiast who wants a fun bathroom ceiling, then you need to try out hand stenciling. For this project, grab a stencil of any size and design you like, a brush, and paint. Then, tape the stencil onto a corner of your ceiling and paint over it. Continue until the whole surface is covered. It may take some time and concentration, but the end product is stunning. Depending on your design, this can lower your paint costs since you won't need as much, easily letting you use up leftover colors from a different project.

Glazes aren't just for tubs. Sometimes, a stunning ceiling glaze is all you need to inexpensively upgrade a space. For this project, you will apply multiple layers of transparent paint on top a solid colored base with a sponge, brush, or a rag, moving the combination of shades around to create movement and going in whatever direction you please. Follow any other application instructions that come with the paint. The outcome is quite breathtaking and whimsical, bringing joy and life to your bathroom.

If you love a luxurious look, consider installing gold leaf wallpaper on the ceiling. You could either choose a full gold option, like the wallpaper pictured above, or go with a patterned design, such as gold leaves or florals. There are also textured options that provide a bit more interest as well. Peel-and-stick wallpapers will likely be the easiest to install. This could be a great way to add interest to a small area of the ceiling, such as inside a recess or tray. 

Expand the dimension of the space with textured ceilings. We're not talking about the most common textured choice — a popcorn ceiling. Instead, you can get texture in numerous ways, whether that is through designed panels or tiles. Just make sure to follow the installation instructions of the material you choose. Panels and tiles will help draw the eye towards the ceiling, sometimes in a subtle way. You could also just insert texture in specific spots, generating a cool pattern on your ceiling. 

Add dimension and detail to your ceiling with affordable molding, even in your restroom. Luckily, as a smaller space, you can possibly reuse that leftover crown molding that you didn't use for the rest of the house. Installing this feature is quite simple, leading many people to adhere it to their walls themselves. This is a small update that can really bring a room together as well as help it match the rest of your home. And don't forget that these pieces can be painted to pair with any other colors you have in the room.

A trick many designers and homeowners try out is mixing materials on the ceiling. One spot may have tile while the other paint, making the options quite limitless when it comes to styles, colors, and sizes. This is a fun option if you have a combination of wall types or a ceiling level change. It can even be as simple as having a painted ceiling and crown molding. No matter what you do, this can be a great way to save money, especially if you have a little more of one material over the other, offsetting the costs.

A common and affordable way to stylishly decorate your bathroom ceiling is with tile. You may already be tiling the backsplash or the floors, so why not the top of the room too? Or just tile the ceiling for a bold, accent piece. Whether you choose large tiles or small mosaic pieces, there are a variety of styles, colors, sizes, shapes, and types to choose from, making it easy to find an option that fits your price range. You could even save money by using peel and stick tiles.

Install a chandelier in your bathroom to create a dramatic effect on your ceiling. Creating a focal point in your restroom is an excellent way to upgrade your lighting fixtures while adding a huge design impact at the same time. Whether you choose an interesting geometric shape or an elegant crystal option, there are many choices you can find that will fall under your cost restrictions. Many different types even have smart home and energy efficient features. Whatever option you choose, follow all installation and electrical instructions or contact a professional for help.

Give the eye a break with style by installing large panels on the ceiling. These panels can break up a room, especially in an all white bathroom, by seamlessly and visually adding depth. Installing large panels will also save you time since you don't have to focus on the precision that comes with smaller or more intricate features. You can find your panels in many colors, even choosing a contrasting color from your wall to inject some personality.

As an eye-catching way to decorate your ceiling, you can install metallic tin tiles as the focal point in your bathroom. These tiles can come in a variety of metallic shades like bronze, gold, and silver, as well as designs and finishes, even allowing textured options. Follow the installation instructions on the package and watch as the light bounces off the tiles. If you don't like tile, you can still incorporate metal through paint and other accents in tile pieces.

Who says herringbone or chevron patterns are just for the floors? Instead, you can also enjoy them on your restroom's ceiling. You can create this design with wood, tile, or paint, and it can be just about any color you want. Just follow the installation directions for the material you decide on. Once you finish, this will help insert some movement, especially in a smaller bathroom. If you have a tiny space, you can even use leftover flooring or tile from another home project, saving you more money. 

If you really want to make an impact in your restroom, paint the ceiling black. This color is an ideal choice if you have high ceilings but want a cozy feel, desire a one-of-a-kind design feature, or wish to hide unsightly hardware like vents or flaws. Stick to neutrals or incorporate some wall paint colors that pair well with black ceilings for the rest of the room. You can even combine this design option with other elements like tiles or hand stencils. Either way, just remember to incorporate enough lighting or windows to help brighten the space.