Jump On The Trend Of Decorating Your Ceiling With These 12 Ideas Inspired By Joanna Gaines

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Joanna Gaines is a mainstay in modern lifestyle and interior design. From her work on the Magnolia brand to her iconic role alongside her husband Chip Gaines on the hit HGTV television show Fixer Uppers, you could safely say this woman has her finger on the pulse of design. When we look to Joanna for inspiration, we see a fusion of rustic warmth and charming soul. This spirit carries through from the furniture to the decor to the finishes she selects. She has a keen eye for each and every detail. One often-overlooked design element to consider when planning a Joanna Gaines-inspired design, though, is the ceiling.

You can transform a boring ceiling with decorative elements like moulding, wallpaper, and light fixtures. It's a blank canvas with so much untapped potential. When you take the step to decorate your ceiling, you have a chance to add even more depth to your home design. Ceiling decor compels you to look up, carving out a useful new focal point. You can use this opportunity to create more intimacy and warmth in your space. Ceiling decor can also cultivate more cohesion or contrast, depending on what your design needs. From hand-painted embellishments to statement ceiling panels, there's an array of unique ceiling designs to choose from. 

Think of your ceiling as a fifth wall. You can carry your design theme upward onto this surface. It can be an extension of the other four walls or serve as an accent. Paint is a simple yet eye-catching way to decorate your ceiling. You can continue the same color as your walls onto the ceiling, or choose a bold color for the ceiling to add depth. Stay true to Joanna Gaines's style by opting for a calming color scheme. You can even opt to use one of the Magnolia Premium Interior Paints. 

Nothing spells romantic, soft elegance quite like classic plaster molding. Many historic homes already have this feature, but you can also install it in your modern home with a little planning and expert assistance. There are countless design options, ranging from installing coving where the ceiling meets the wall to elaborate roses in the center of the ceiling. When well-executed, plaster moulding can completely transform your space.

Stripes may seem too bold or maximalist for a Joanna Gaines-inspired design, but you can absolutely play with this classic pattern when cultivating a rustic, cottage-style design. The power lies in the color you select. Take inspiration from the Magnolia French Navy Linen Stripe Wallpaper or Thread Stripe Spray and Stick Wallpaper. The colors are neutral and toned down, lending well to a relaxed design. Stripes that mimic these wallpapers would look excellent in a Joanna Gaines-inspired home. Pair with a complementary neutral or earthy wall color, or, if you're feeling adventurous, carry the stripes onto one of the walls to serve as an accent.

We can all use a little dose of whimsy every now and then. To embrace an ethereal design, paint your ceiling and walls a dusky blue, then sprinkle golden stars and constellations across the ceiling. It's an elevated, stylish take on the plastic, glow-in-the-dark stickers of our childhoods. This subtle touch adds so much personality to a space without changing the aesthetic altogether. The rest of your design choices will steer your overall theme. Stay true to Joanna's design by pairing this ceiling decoration with antiques, natural linen materials, and other soft, airy decor pieces.

We would be remiss to leave out classic wood-panel ceilings in an article on ceiling decorations. It's a timeless, rustic feature that automatically injects warmth into a space. Wood panel ceilings also offer the unexpected benefit of reducing echoes and improving acoustics. For that reason, they're an excellent option for musicians or those who simply want a more soundproofed home. Draw inspiration from projects like Joanna's recent Colorado Fixer Upper, where the Gaines incorporate wood panel ceilings. 

If you don't have the time or patience to tackle a whole-ceiling update, there are plenty of options for you, too. Installing a statement light fixture is a small but impactful change that can significantly influence the look and feel of your space. It can even be a quick DIY if you're doing a simple fixture switch. For a wistful cottage aesthetic, go with something like the Chrystorama Broche Chandelier from the Crystorama Store. Joanna Gaines also tends to incorporate plenty of antique elements in her designs, so if you want to follow suit, opt for this vintage-inspired Quoizel Whitecap light fixture.

​​Weaving patterns throughout your design is a great way to customize your space. Your ceiling is a perfect surface to experiment with patterns. There's a treasure trove of elegant, stunning, patterned wallpaper to choose from. Magnolia features an extensive collection to peruse, featuring everything from floral to linen-washed patterns. Joanna herself has been known to use wallpaper on ceilings in home designs to invoke a cozy, unique touch while also adding a gentle edge. For an even bolder statement, you can use that same pattern on your walls as well to go for a pattern-drenched look.

When making design choices, include as many personalized details as you can to truly claim ownership of the space. Don't be afraid to take your creative liberty and run with it. One way to truly flex your individuality is to hand-paint your ceiling (or hire someone to do it for you). This ceiling decoration can be as intricate as a traditional European fresco or as simple as a modest pattern. Look for inspiration online. If you're a fan of all things earthy and whimsical, artist Tess Newall has some amazing work to draw from.

If you've been in a historic downtown building, you may have noticed detailed tin ceiling tiles above. This storied design element dates back to the mid-1800s in North America, when it served as a more accessible alternative to plaster moulding ceilings. Available in a range of colors, copper patina tiles offer moody depth, while cream-white painted tiles foster a welcoming atmosphere. This vintage ceiling decoration would look great in a Joanna-inspired design alongside other old-school design elements. For instance, you could style a living room with velvet couches and other vintage finds, such as a record player stand.

We've already covered traditional wood panels, but there is a world of other unique, modern designs to choose from. These panels can be quite elaborate in their design, leaning towards the style of traditional plaster moulding or tin ceiling tiles. But they can also be as simple as linear, uniform ridges that add subtle texture to your ceiling. There's also the option to go for more decorative ceiling panels featuring a herringbone pattern or a more organic, nonlinear pattern. These panels can be left plain white, the same color as your walls, or a contrasting color.

If you care to get experimental, you can venture into playing with fabrics and drapery as ceiling decor. Also known as tented ceilings, this look can be achieved by attaching sheer linen curtains to your ceiling. You can layer them or arrange them in a more taut, uniform fashion. This look is reminiscent of a luxurious event tent or romantic canopy bed. It can add a dramatic, ethereal element to your space. The draped linen looks excellent in a bedroom or other areas you'd like to reserve for relaxation. You can also add it to a dining or sitting area for added flair.

Lighting has the power to transform a space completely. If you can combine this with a more decorative ceiling feature, that's all the better. Cove lighting offers a gentle alternative to harsher downlighting options. This is a more complex ceiling design that involves installing light sources behind a recess or cove to create a warm, diffused line of light. This is often installed along the edge of a ceiling, but you can also opt for round, radial cove lighting or in other, more nonlinear compositions.