Add Interest to Ceilings with Color, Texture and Form
Adding color or detail can change the look of a room signifcantly

A ceiling doesn’t have to be a boring flat plane of white. Adding color or detail can change the look of a room significantly.

“Ceilings are important because they’re a big expanse of space,” said interior designer Eloise Kubli, owner of Collective Construction & Design in Plantation, FL. “They’re as important as the floor.”

Some changes, like paint, are simple. Plain old paint isn’t enough? Try stepping it up a bit. “You can put on color, dimension and shimmer with Venetian plaster or Lusterstone,” Kubli said. “You can use them in contemporary or traditional homes. Lusterstone has more dimension, and Venetian plaster is more contemporary.”

STEPPING IT UP

Artistic homeowners, or those willing to hire an artist, may want to try something more elaborate. Wallpaper offers a variety of looks. Mirrors on the ceiling make a room look larger and reflect light.

medallions

Ceiling medallions are an easy way to create a visual focal point or an accent. “The designs vary from simple curves to flowers and fruits and geometrics. Today, we use them to create architectural detail and make a personal design statement. They give a home style and elegance,” says interior designer Eloise Kubli ASID.

BEAMS

Architectural details can give the ceiling a new look. “I add a lot of wood beams to ceilings,” Kubli said. “You can create a rustic look with reclaimed wood, or use contemporary wood beams. If you run them horizontally, it can make a long, narrow room look wider. Box beams can be good for a traditional room.”

Real wood beams are heavy because they’re solid, and will probably be expensive. But there’s an alternative. “Faux wood beams are hollow so they’re not so heavy,” Kubli said.

DRYWALL DETAILING

Architectural interest can also be added with drywall. “Creating coffers is one way,” Kubli said. Another way: In condos with cement ceilings, drywall can be used to make a dropped ceiling that allows for recessed lighting. Kubli likes to leave a “reveal” or open space against the wall where a light strip can be installed around the perimeter of the room. “It gives a beautiful glow of ambient light,” she said. “Even during the day when it’s not lit, it can have beautiful shadow effects.

CROWN MOLDING

Crown molding can produce a variety of looks. The molding can be made of wood, but it can also be done with drywall. “You can paint it to look like wood,” Kubli said.

So there’s no reason to be satisfied with a plain, uninteresting ceiling. Instead, think of it as the fifth wall of the room. It’s only a matter of deciding on the look.