Jennifer Sheahan: Use the ceiling to make a small space feel larger or to add drama
Geometric vaulted ceiling at the Margadh Café & Wine Bar, RHA.
There is very little I regret about my home, but there is one thing I didn’t do that I wish I had. An interior designer I respect (though unfortunately, I can’t remember who it was) advised me to paint my ceilings in a high-gloss finish. I was asking for general advice about making small spaces feel larger, and this designer gave the correct advice that reflective surfaces are wonderful for creating depth and a feeling of extra space. I didn’t end up doing it — I flipflopped about whether I’d like the look and, in the end, I frankly just forgot — but luckily, it’s an easily rectifiable oversight and I do plan to add a high-gloss finish to my ceilings next time I’m getting a fresh coat.
Ceilings are often a forgotten canvas of interior design. They rarely get much more consideration than a few coats of white paint, unless they are especially high or have beams or some other existing feature that forces us to think about them.
We spend so much time deliberating walls, floors, and furniture, yet the space above our heads holds enormous potential to add character. If you’re looking to add some depth, texture, or even a touch of drama, here are some creative ways to make your ceiling a standout feature in your home.
A trend that is thankfully here to stay is colour-drenching — bringing your paint colour beyond the walls to cover doors, doorframes, skirting, wainscoting, and everything else paint might typically touch — including ceilings. I love the dramatic impact of colour-drenching, and including ceilings turns up the volume to create a cosy cocoon that has a massive impact.
Adding panelling to your ceilings is a classic way to add warmth and texture, without having to introduce additional colour. Cottage-style bead panelling is a perfect choice for to add cosiness, or you can choose a wider plank with a V-groove for a more contemporary look. You could also choose decorative panelling such as Shaker style or even more modern geometric shapes to create additional depth with artistic flair.
Typically seen in commercial properties, suspended ceilings are becoming more common in private homes — especially where there are high ceilings. They are a great way to incorporate recessed ambient lighting, and lowering the ceiling slightly can make a high-ceilinged room feel more intimate. A popular trend is to suspend sections of timber slatting for a Scandi-inspired aesthetic, which also offers creative options for integrated lighting.
I adore exposed beams in any home, especially in vaulted ceilings. They are a stunning way to add architectural interest and rustic charm. My preference is to leave the wood natural, though I do also appreciate a stain in the same colour as the walls for a touch of airy sophistication or to reduce an overload of wood.
I wrote last week about luxury wall coatings — for instance, microcement and Venetian plaster, and the same applies to ceilings. Venetian plaster, lime plaster, or even stucco can add some gorgeously organic texture and depth to a room. Polished plaster finishes can reflect light and create a beautifully marbled effect on the ceiling, drawing the eye up to create the illusion of additional height.
Right, let’s step it up and make things interesting. Colours tend to make people nervous, and up until now all the options have not required introducing any dramatic colours at all — they can all be done in the same colour as your existing ceiling or walls. It’s a risk — done wrong, it can end up looking like a bad accent wall, incongruous and awkward. But done right, a contrasting ceiling can add an unexpected artistic twist to a room. I always think ceiling paint looks best when it is brought a little way down the walls so that it doesn’t just stop at the edges.
Now we’re really stepping things up, Sistine Chapel style. I’m not going to pretend every ceiling would look good with a painted mural and wallpaper, but if you have the eye and a healthy dose of courage, I think it can look fantastic. The trick is to get the balance right between creating a focal point out of the ceiling and stopping shy of having it completely overwhelm the room.
A fun and lower-risk place to start is in a children’s room, where you can bring in creative stimulation for the littles. There are also some fantastic wallpapers designed specifically for bedroom ceilings with swirling clouds or twinkling skies.
Finishing with a big bang — have you ever considered going fully palatial by covering your ceiling in gold leaf? It’s certainly high impact, and not for the faint-hearted, but there are some rooms that could really pull it off — especially in very small, enclosed spaces such as entranceways or downstairs loos. You could always pare it back and add metallic accents to your ceiling, with gold stars or trims. Or you could do what I plan to do and simply add a satin or high-gloss finish that will create an equally light-catching effect without going overboard.
