The Rule David Bromstad Follows When Choosing A Paint Color For Tall Ceilings

If your interior design aesthetic skews more vibrant than understated, you are likely a fan of designer extraordinaire David Bromstad. The HGTV personality and winner of the inaugural season of "Design Star" is never one to shy away from daring design choices, bold colors, and strong opinions. He is also quick to share his expert advice to DIYers, offering plenty of dos and don'ts, along with common design mistakes to avoid.

Not surprisingly, Bromstad's advice for styling ceilings is first and foremost to include it in the room's color palette. "I always paint the ceiling, whether it's the same color or a different color," Bromstad said in an interview with Good Day. When it comes to tall or vaulted ceilings, he says the extra height allows you to add a bold splash of color, including darker hues. "If you have a ceiling taller than 9 feet, then you can go darker on the ceiling," he said. While some might assume that a darker color on a ceiling shrinks the space and makes it feel like a cave, it can actually have the opposite effect, expanding the space into the illusion of an infinite night sky, and giving the room a modern yet stately look. Especially in rooms with tall ceilings, Bromstad encourages homeowners to get brave and bold with their ceiling colors.

Embracing a dark, tall ceiling can be intimidating, but there are endless options to make the look your own. First, consider the other elements in the room, and how they might fare with a darker hue up top. A darker ceiling can accentuate intricate crown molding, cornice work, or draw the eye up to a statement window, for example. Also, consider how much contrast you prefer to have between the walls and ceiling, if any at all. A stark contrast between a light wall and dark ceiling creates instant interest in a space, though a moody monochromatic wall-to-ceiling motif can give the room a distinct personality as well.

Still, darker paint colors should be utilized strategically. In high-traffic areas, for example, David Bromstad warns against using black paint since it isn't as easy to maintain as some might think. This could also be an issue for your ceiling, especially if dust and cobwebs are a common problem, as they will be especially visible against a darker color. And not everyone is on board with Bromstad's advice to go darker on taller ceilings. Fellow HGTV star Nate Berkus has a surprising take on white ceilings, and he prefers to go lighter rather than darker as a general rule.

Ultimately, a tall ceiling is an opportunity to incorporate bold, vibrant design choices in your space. Bromstad is all about self-expression through design, and encourages homeowners to go with whatever speaks to them. So if you're considering a daring, darker color for your high ceiling, Bromstad says go for it. As he said in the interview, "I mean, who doesn't want a fuchsia ceiling?"