Painting a ceiling has limitless options. Even if you prefer traditional white, there are a lot of understated hues to pick from. Here are some pointers for selecting a paint color that will work best for your home, regardless of whether you want your ceiling to contrast, blend in, or match your walls.

White ceilings are a safe bet

Bright white is the most common choice for ceiling color and it’s a good safe-bet. However, painting a white ceiling isn’t always as easy as picking up a few cans of clear paint and calling it a day. Consulting professional ceiling painters Calgary is essential to ensure you get the right shade and match it to your interior.

A pure white ceiling can work effectively to create a sense of seamless gallery-like design in areas with bright white walls that don’t have any noticeable undertones. If your walls aren’t completely white, though, you should think about how the two surfaces will seem next to one another and whether the paint on your ceiling should be the same color as the walls, contrasting, or someplace in between.

If it doesn’t “match” the wall tone, a pure white ceiling can look great in rooms with lots of fresh white in other elements, such as white linens or other accents.

Match ceiling colors with the walls

Painting the ceiling a similar color as the walls is the easiest fix if you’re going with an off-white or extremely pale color scheme. Keeping the walls and ceiling in the same color visually draws attention away from the places where several surfaces converge and toward other items like furniture, artwork, and architectural details.

This is still true even with striking white moldings dividing the ceiling and walls. For example, this makes the cornices and skirting boards easier for the eye to see while the ceiling disappears into the background. When the walls and ceiling are painted the same light neutral color, it creates a calming and pleasant overall impression, especially when the color is consistent throughout the house.

Use complementary tones for ceilings and walls

Simply adding a tiny touch of the wall color to the ceiling will ensure they complement each other, whether you’re going with a bright or rich neutral. For instance, if the walls are painted a rich buttercream, pick a white ceiling that has a hint of the same yellow undertone.

There are several methods to go about this. One is mixing a small amount of your wall paint with white ceiling paint to create a new tinted shade. However, you can work with your painter to develop a unique blend depending on the tints that will be used on the walls.

Choose a contrasting color

Of course, a ceiling in a color that stands out sharply against the walls might occasionally be rather lovely. For instance, you can match the ceiling color to another existing accent in the room. Just remember that this color will be the focal point of the room when it’s on the ceiling, so go for the most subdued tint to avoid making the space appear cluttered or garish.

The takeaway

It is important to consider the kind of light the room receives when choosing ceiling color to ensure a perfect match.