Four instances where designers affirmatively advise against painting both walls and ceiling with identical shades
Ditching the drab and going bold is the 2025 paint trend, but to ensure a welcoming, spacious vibe, avoid the one-tone palette in some instances. Here's when you should keep the ceiling color unique:
- Highlight Your 'Fifth Wall': Instead of smothering your room in the same hue, consider making a statement on the ceiling, the new way to create an accent wall. When you opt for color drenching, you lose the chance to accentuate your space's distinctiveness. As Amy Moorea Wong, our resident color expert (and author of "Kaleidoscope: Modern Homes in Every Colour"), might say, "why settle for just one color?"
- Brighten a Dark Room: Dark, moody shades can make a room feel closed in and dingy. In low-light areas, it's wiser to keep the ceiling lighter than the walls to create some contrast and brighten the room. Try a shade that's slightly lighter than your walls to add depth and make the ceilings feel less confining.
- Open-Concept Spaces: In expansive rooms, matching ceilings can result in visual flatness. To add dimension, consider a slightly darker color for the ceiling to bring the space in subtly. This technique can also help define spaces within your open floor plan.
- Architectural Details: Homes with stunning crown molding or beautiful beams deserve to be showcased, not hidden by a single color. Contrasting the ceiling and walls allows these features to pop, adding character to your room.
As a general rule, contrast creates depth and interest, while monotones can feel oppressive or overwhelming. Don't shy away from painting your ceiling a different color; it's a great way to add personality and excitement to your space. However, remember to take into consideration your room's layout, lighting, and overall design when making your color choices.
- Incorporating a unique color on the ceiling can serve as a fresh approach to the traditional accent wall, enhancing the distinctiveness of your living room decor.
- To prevent a dark living room from appearing small and dreary, consider painting the ceiling a lighter shade than the walls, creating contrast and a more open atmosphere.
- For open-concept kitchen and living areas, using a slightly darker color on the ceiling can introduce depth and dimension, subtly dividing the space.
- Highlight architectural wonders such as crown molding or wooden beams in your bathroom interior design by contrasting the ceiling and walls, making these features stand out and adding character.
- When it comes to interior-lifestyle trends, using color to accentuate the fifth wall instead of settling for a one-tone palette can breathe new life into your home-and-garden's interior design.
- Artfully placed decorative accents against a boldly colored living room ceiling can create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere, inviting the entry of new lifestyle trends.
