14 Ceiling Treatments That Will Make You Want to Look Up
Forget boring old white paint for your ceilings – these ceiling treatments could look heavenly in your home
When you walk into your living area, what’s the one thing that immediately catches your eye? A brightly coloured feature wall? A bold patterned rug? A chic accent chair that sits in the corner of the room? Now, what about that ceiling? It probably didn’t even pop into your mind, did it? Not that we’re surprised; after all, the surface isn’t in your direct line of sight, plus most ceilings are flat, white, featureless and look fairly generic.
If you’re bored of your plain white ceilings or are about to embark on a new home-building project, consider using one (or more) of these look-at-me ceiling treatments in your interior. Some are loud and dramatic (using fabric, mirrors and lights), while others are more subtle in style (think wood panelling and moulding), but each of these ideas will give your ceilings standout appeal, and will definitely lift the look and feel of your home.
If you’re bored of your plain white ceilings or are about to embark on a new home-building project, consider using one (or more) of these look-at-me ceiling treatments in your interior. Some are loud and dramatic (using fabric, mirrors and lights), while others are more subtle in style (think wood panelling and moulding), but each of these ideas will give your ceilings standout appeal, and will definitely lift the look and feel of your home.
2. Work with wallpaper
Patterned wallpaper can transform any vacant vertical surface into a statement-making feature wall, but if you want to make a bold(er) statement, apply it to your ceiling instead. Our top pattern picks for the ceiling? Stripes, geometric motifs or an eye-catching floral print, such as this lively botanical wallpaper that seriously boosts the visual appeal of the dining space.
Patterned wallpaper can transform any vacant vertical surface into a statement-making feature wall, but if you want to make a bold(er) statement, apply it to your ceiling instead. Our top pattern picks for the ceiling? Stripes, geometric motifs or an eye-catching floral print, such as this lively botanical wallpaper that seriously boosts the visual appeal of the dining space.
3. Reconsider your stance on mirrored ceilings
It’s time to banish the notion that mirrors are an unseemly ceiling surface. Need proof? Take a look at this futuristic-style bedroom, which proves that high-shine mirrored ceilings can look tasteful, fun and edgy (or glamorous in more traditional settings), rather than tacky. Practical, too, reflective ceilings will make your room appear brighter and more spacious – they are an ideal treatment for any room in the home, but particularly those that are poorly lit or small in size.
It’s time to banish the notion that mirrors are an unseemly ceiling surface. Need proof? Take a look at this futuristic-style bedroom, which proves that high-shine mirrored ceilings can look tasteful, fun and edgy (or glamorous in more traditional settings), rather than tacky. Practical, too, reflective ceilings will make your room appear brighter and more spacious – they are an ideal treatment for any room in the home, but particularly those that are poorly lit or small in size.
4. Try timber up top
Who said timber planks belong below your feet? Wooden ceiling panels add warmth and rich texture, and command attention due to the strong directional lines of the boards. Use timber in coordinating tones up top and down below for a cohesive look, or mix things up by using contrasting stains and patterns on the ceiling and floor.
Who said timber planks belong below your feet? Wooden ceiling panels add warmth and rich texture, and command attention due to the strong directional lines of the boards. Use timber in coordinating tones up top and down below for a cohesive look, or mix things up by using contrasting stains and patterns on the ceiling and floor.
5. Add texture
If you want to revive a lacklustre ceiling, but don’t want the surface to overpower the rest of the room, opt for an intricate moulding that’s subtle in style but still makes a statement. Want a more dramatic look? Paint the raised outline of the pattern in a vibrant hue – this will enhance the 3D-like effect of the ceiling treatment and add another layer of visual interest.
See more of this modern-meets-traditional home
If you want to revive a lacklustre ceiling, but don’t want the surface to overpower the rest of the room, opt for an intricate moulding that’s subtle in style but still makes a statement. Want a more dramatic look? Paint the raised outline of the pattern in a vibrant hue – this will enhance the 3D-like effect of the ceiling treatment and add another layer of visual interest.
See more of this modern-meets-traditional home
6. Experiment with tile
This type of ceiling is naturally suited to a bathroom or kitchen, especially one that has variation in height. In this shot, your eyes naturally follow the flow of the tiles to the highest point of the prism. It wouldn’t look nearly as good if you were only working with a flat ceiling surface.
This type of ceiling is naturally suited to a bathroom or kitchen, especially one that has variation in height. In this shot, your eyes naturally follow the flow of the tiles to the highest point of the prism. It wouldn’t look nearly as good if you were only working with a flat ceiling surface.
7. Go bold
An easy way to make the ceiling the focal point of a room is to paint it with dramatic, attention-seeking colour. While we love loud, energetic hues – such as the fire-engine red ceiling in this modern bathroom – dark, moody tones, including black, navy and deep emerald, also pack a visual punch when used overhead. Remember to keep things light and simple down below to ensure your ceiling remains in the spotlight.
An easy way to make the ceiling the focal point of a room is to paint it with dramatic, attention-seeking colour. While we love loud, energetic hues – such as the fire-engine red ceiling in this modern bathroom – dark, moody tones, including black, navy and deep emerald, also pack a visual punch when used overhead. Remember to keep things light and simple down below to ensure your ceiling remains in the spotlight.
8. Look up at the stars
A ceiling that resembles a starry night sky? Yes, please! Use this dazzling ceiling treatment to create a cosy, magical atmosphere in your home theatre, outdoor living zone, or even your little one’s bedroom.
A ceiling that resembles a starry night sky? Yes, please! Use this dazzling ceiling treatment to create a cosy, magical atmosphere in your home theatre, outdoor living zone, or even your little one’s bedroom.
9. Paint a mural
Channel your inner Michelangelo and paint a masterpiece on your ceiling at home. If you’re not confident with tackling this project yourself (that’s probably the majority of us), find a painter in your area who can do all the hard work for you, then sit back and watch as the artistic ceiling treatment brings your room to life.
Channel your inner Michelangelo and paint a masterpiece on your ceiling at home. If you’re not confident with tackling this project yourself (that’s probably the majority of us), find a painter in your area who can do all the hard work for you, then sit back and watch as the artistic ceiling treatment brings your room to life.
10. Open up to innovative ideas
A retractable glass ceiling takes the concept of a simple skylight to the next level. With the push of a button, the owners of this Mid-century Modern home can transform their indoor dining room into an open-air meals area that’s flooded with natural light and fresh air. Genius, right?
See more of this renovated Mid-century Modern home
A retractable glass ceiling takes the concept of a simple skylight to the next level. With the push of a button, the owners of this Mid-century Modern home can transform their indoor dining room into an open-air meals area that’s flooded with natural light and fresh air. Genius, right?
See more of this renovated Mid-century Modern home
11. Be daring with colour
If you’re a fan of bright colours, you have permission to go crazy with a feature ceiling. But just keep it contained by a border or cornices, such as in this bedroom, where the statement fan-and-light combo enhances a botanical/underwater theme.
If you’re a fan of bright colours, you have permission to go crazy with a feature ceiling. But just keep it contained by a border or cornices, such as in this bedroom, where the statement fan-and-light combo enhances a botanical/underwater theme.
12. Try some fun fabric
Draping exudes a sense of softness and comfort. These canopies work particularly well in children’s rooms where themes of wonder, fantasy and daydreaming abound. Soft shades and subtle prints (as seen here) contribute to an overall sense of calm and make the room feel like a special sanctuary. Be prepared for other mothers asking you how to do it!
Draping exudes a sense of softness and comfort. These canopies work particularly well in children’s rooms where themes of wonder, fantasy and daydreaming abound. Soft shades and subtle prints (as seen here) contribute to an overall sense of calm and make the room feel like a special sanctuary. Be prepared for other mothers asking you how to do it!
13. Go for mirrored sophistication
No smutty jokes here, please. The mirrored ceiling I’m championing is more like this variety. In other words, created by tiles in a cool configuration. The reflection of the dark tones and fabric in this contemporary dining room matches the sophisticated mood of the furniture.
No smutty jokes here, please. The mirrored ceiling I’m championing is more like this variety. In other words, created by tiles in a cool configuration. The reflection of the dark tones and fabric in this contemporary dining room matches the sophisticated mood of the furniture.
14. Play with mosaic mirrors
While this look may not be for everyone, you can’t deny its ability to draw the eye upwards. This owner has opted for a soft metallic approach, which opens up the space. Rule of thumb here: the darker the tiles, the more drama for onlookers below. If you’re ultra creative and want to try this at home, why not opt for a mosaic motif that will double as a tiled mural?
TELL US MORE
Do you have a sensational ceiling treatment you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments section below. We’d love to see your high-resolution photos, too!
MORE
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Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
Dreamy Ceilings: Fantastical Designs For Kids to Look Up to
While this look may not be for everyone, you can’t deny its ability to draw the eye upwards. This owner has opted for a soft metallic approach, which opens up the space. Rule of thumb here: the darker the tiles, the more drama for onlookers below. If you’re ultra creative and want to try this at home, why not opt for a mosaic motif that will double as a tiled mural?
TELL US MORE
Do you have a sensational ceiling treatment you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments section below. We’d love to see your high-resolution photos, too!
MORE
Vaulted Ceilings: Are They Right for Your Next Home?
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
Dreamy Ceilings: Fantastical Designs For Kids to Look Up to
Illuminated ceiling panels will brighten up your space in more ways than one – take this spectacular lighting solution, for example. The custom light box, which is made of a panel of translucent resin embedded with a layer of seagrass, casts a warm glow over the room, while its mesmerising gold-flecked finish adds colour, contrast and drama to the expansive open-plan area.