Spectacular Ceilings

When thinking about painting a room, the “fifth wall” or ceiling, is often overlooked or relegated to being painted some shade of white or off-white. But the ceiling can actually be both an impactful creative element as well as an opportunity to offset some room design challenges through different applications of color and sheen. Here are some colorful ideas to consider for your fifth wall, the next time you paint and how the ColorReader EZ can help you in your color decision-making process:

An Eye to the Skies

It’s common to see front porches in the south and northeast with their ceilings painted a soft sky blue. This trend started as a superstition but remained popular due to its success as a style element. In design circles, “haint blue” (“haint” being a southern variation of the word “haunt”) is known as a pale blue-green tint most often used for ceilings. In southern folklore, it was believed that spirits couldn’t traverse water, so porch ceilings, window trims and sometimes doors were painted a watery blue to guard against evil spirits. Also, pale blue was reminiscent of the heavens – another nod to spiritual protection. Style-wise, pale blue ceilings create a sense of openness, expansion and calm since they remind us of the open sky, and like the sky, pretty much go with any other color. Heavenly-hued ceilings needn’t be the domain of exterior spaces, however. They look just as lovely indoors, especially on paneled ceilings, where the addition of a glossier sheen lends a soft sophistication to the space.

ColorReader EZ Tip: Use your ColorReader EZ like a digital fan deck and scroll through the paint color palettes of your favorite brands to scope out your perfect blue.

Going Dark

Large, high-ceilinged rooms can be spaciously beautiful or look empty and awkward. A little trick to bring a sense of balance to these spaces? A darker color on the ceiling can make it appear lower visually, giving the room a more intimate feel and providing the space with a sense of definition for greater balance. Pairing the color to other room elements further ties the look of the room together. Deep, rich shades like grey flannel, espresso, and ink are neutral hues that add a touch of dramatic sophistication to a room.

ColorReader EZ Tip: You can capture color inspiration anywhere with the ColorReader EZ. Think the color of your dark grey flannel scarf would look great on your ceiling? Lay on a flat smooth surface and scan the color to get its paint match.

Glossing it Over

Another treatment to consider for your ceiling – high gloss paint. Its light reflecting qualities can make a space seem larger, especially when using white or lighter colors. One thing to consider, though, is that a white or light color in high gloss will show every flaw. If you have a less than perfect ceiling surface, consider using a mid-tone or deeper color. The sheen will still reflect light, so the result won’t be as enclosing as a dark, flat paint would be, plus it will really showcase your chosen color.

ColorReader EZ Tip: Scan your wall color to get its paint match then tap your match to see coordinating colors. Looking for more color inspiration? Find coordinating color palette options (Complementary, Monochromatic, Triad and Analogous) with just another tap of your finger.

Metal Works

In much the same way accessories in precious metals like gold, silver or bronze can pull together a look or highlight a focal point, so too can a ceiling painted in a metallic hue. While metallic paint has light-reflecting qualities like a gloss paint, the two differ in that a metallic paint has a luster that changes with the angle of view and has a glaze-like quality that shows brush and roller strokes. You can use a metallic paint over an existing color like a glaze to add a tint of shimmery metallic color, or you can apply several coats for greater metallic depth and color coverage. You can apply the metallic paint with a brush, roller or even rubbed on with a rag for a hand-burnished look. Keep paint strokes to short, even patterns for a craftsman-like finish, or apply several coats with a paint sprayer for a more even finish.

ColorReader EZ Tip: Should you opt for silver, gold or bronze for your ceiling? It’s really a matter of color preference – silver pairs beautifully with cool blues, lavenders and greys, while gold can warm up whites, beiges and other neutrals. Bronze looks lovely with greens, pinks and other hues found in nature. Scan your wall color with ColorReader EZ to find your paint match and tap it for coordinating color ideas and palette possibilities.

Color Coordination

Creating an accent wall by adding a unique color to it creates a focal point and adds visual excitement to a room, so why not make that accent wall your ceiling? You can opt for a coordinating hue in the same color family, choose a shade that matches to and ties together other room elements or pick a unique color that adds a pop of brightness and interest to your space.

ColorReader EZ Tip: Want to bring an accent color you have in your room’s accessories to your ceiling? Scan the flat surface of an item with the color you want to find its precise paint color match. Or explore your color options with the app’s color palette option. Scan your wall color to get its paint color match, then check out the color palette options to find a hue for your ceiling – opt for a subtle color shift or something bold and beautiful!