Ceiling paint is typically thicker than wall paint. This is to smooth out minor imperfections in the ceiling surface. Good-quality ceiling paint is opaque and adheres well to the painting surface. Unlike wall paint, ceiling paint does not provide a hard, washable surface and is not suitable for use on walls. Wall paint, on the other hand, may be used to paint ceilings.
Ceiling paint typically provides a flat, minimally reflective finish. Semigloss and high-gloss finishes tend to make flaws such as drywall seams and repairs more visible. Flat or satin ceiling paint finishes, on the other hand, make flaws less noticeable.
We choose the colors of our wardrobe, cars and house paint with the same objective: to be aesthetically pleasing. While the notion of aesthetics is highly subjective, specific colors are known to have particular psychological effects. For this reason, home interiors in warm climates are often painted in white or cool colors, those that lean toward the blue end of the color spectrum. Soft furnishings, draperies and warm colors, on the other hand, enhance the perception of warmth in a room. Painting the ceiling to complement the room color enhances the desired aesthetic effect.
Light-colored ceilings are generally believed to enhance the perception of spaciousness in a room. Small rooms, especially those with low ceilings, are often painted in pastel colors with white ceilings. Conversely, uncomfortably large rooms may be painted in a darker value to make the room feel more cozy. Crown molding and darker ceiling paints tend to visually lower the ceiling.
Many manufacturers offer tintable base ceiling paints with the opacity and adhesive qualities of white ceiling paint. Most water-based acrylic or ceiling latex paints may be tinted with the same pigments as those used to color water-based wall paint.