Alternative Colors for Ceilings Other Than White

Wall Color

• Match the ceiling to the wall color for the simplest painting option. Doing so will save money because you will only need to purchase one color for the walls and ceiling of the room. If you want to separate the ceiling from the walls but still use the same color on both, install crown molding around the junction between the ceiling and walls. Paint the molding a contrasting color or a different shade than the walls and ceiling to separate it from the surrounding space. The molding breaks up the monochromatic paint scheme.

Yellow

• If you want the brightening effect of white on the room without using that color on your ceiling, opt for a light shade of yellow. A yellow ceiling resembles daylight and reflects light into the room. Before painting the entire ceiling, paint a corner yellow and look at it after it dries. Depending on the light fixtures you have, pale yellow might look white. Use yellow in the pictures hanging on the walls of the room or in the floor covering to keep the ceiling from looking out of place in the room.

Red

• A red ceiling acts as an accent wall, if the walls are neutral in color. Only use a bold color, like red, if you have a lighting fixture you want to draw attention to, such as a chandelier. This is a good option for small rooms without a focal point against a wall, such as an entry hall. Incorporate the ceiling color into the accents of the room. For instance, have a bowl of red apples on a table. You do not have to use red as the ceiling color to make it an accent color. Any bold color will work for the ceiling accent color as long as it complements the other colors in the room. Be warned that using a dark, bold color on the ceiling will visually lower the ceiling and make the room appear shorter.

Blue

• Bring the sky inside and paint your ceiling blue. Use a dark blue shade with lighter colored walls to make the room look cozy. To open the space and make it appear brighter, paint the ceiling blue in a shade lighter than the walls. Blue is a calming color. Try painting the ceiling in a bathroom or bedroom blue, where you will spend time looking at the ceiling while relaxing in a tub or in bed. For other rooms, to keep a blue ceiling from being too sedating, paint the walls a complementary color such as yellow or orange for a dramatic, energizing effect. Use beige or white for the walls for a more formal look to the room with a light blue ceiling.