What is ceiling decoration?

Ceiling decoration refers to different elements that are installed or hung from ceilings in order to make them more visually appealing. Ceiling decor can transform the look and feel of a room by adding color, texture, light or dimension.

Types of Ceiling Decorations

There are many options when it comes to decorating ceilings:

Light Fixtures

Installing stylish light fixtures is one of the most popular ways to decorate a ceiling. From chandeliers and pendant lights to recessed and track lighting, the right lights can create ambiance and draw the eye upwards. Light fixtures come in all different shapes, sizes and finishes to match any style.

Ceiling Medallions

Ceiling medallions are ornamental pieces that are mounted in the center of a ceiling before a light fixture. Usually made of polyurethane, medallions add instant elegance and visual interest, especially in formal dining rooms and foyers. Choose from plain, modern or antique-inspired medallion designs.

Exposed Beams

Exposing and accentuating wood ceiling beams and rafters adds warmth and texture. The beams can be stained, painted, wrapped in wood or faux beams can be installed. This works especially well in rustic, farmhouse, cottage or craftsman-style rooms.

Tray Ceilings

Tray ceilings have a central recessed panel that helps draw the eye up, making rooms feel grander and taller. The sunken portion is often painted a different color than the surrounding ceiling for contrast. Other enhancements include adding molding, lighting or decorative treatments within the tray.

Coffered Ceilings

Coffered ceilings have recessed square or rectangular panels that create defined sections, giving the ceiling a more intricate, ornamental appearance. The coffered areas can highlight beams, lighting or decorative finishes for extra design punch.

Tin Ceilings

Vintage-style tin ceilings with pressed metal tiles impart an old-world industrial flair. Tin ceiling tiles come finished in gleaming metallic colors or can be painted. They work well in renovated urban lofts, contemporary rooms and kitchens.

Wood Panel/Plank Ceilings

Both real and faux wood planks introduce natural color and texture to rooms when installed vertically or horizontally across ceilings. Wood paneling also helps enhance the rustic charm of cabins, beach houses and mountain retreats.

Wallpapered Ceilings

For a dramatic decorative touch, apply wallpaper or murals to ceilings. Papers with intricate patterns, colorful designs or nature motifs create visual impact when used overhead versus walls. This also allows you to introduce prints or hues you might not want surrounding you on all sides in a smaller space.

Stamped Tin Designs

Stamped tin tiles imprinted with decorative designs are affixed in patterns or used to create borders across ceilings for artsy industrial personality and sheen. Popular motifs include flowers, Arabesque shapes and geometric figures.

Stenciled Designs

If working with a blank drywall ceiling, stenciling offers limitless artistic options. Freehand paint swirling shapes or use stencils of varying sizes to create intricate or subtle ornate patterns across the entire ceiling or just around the edges.

Interior Finishes

Consider treating utilitarian ceilings in basements, garages and covered patios to finishes like weathered wood planking or tongue and groove boards. This elevates basic unfinished overhead planes into decorative standouts.

Floating Shelves

Defy gravity by affixing floating shelves parallel to the ceiling versus the wall. The unconventional vantage point when looking up at the underside of shelves showcases collectibles and other display objects in fun new ways.

Things to Consider with Ceiling Décor

Here are some useful tips when assessing and decorating ceilings:

Consider ceiling height and proportion – Decorating can help balance out rooms with awkward dimensions but be wary of making low ceilings feel claustrophobic.
Assess existing style – Factor in the overall room scheme when choosing ceiling upgrades to ensure cohesive finished look.
Check building codes – For structural changes like removing plaster ceilings, exposed beams or altering electrical, check regulations and permits needed.
Hire professionals – Tasks like installing lighting, tray ceilings or heavy beams involve specialized skills best left to experts.
Select durable materials – Kitchens, bathrooms and humidity warrant using materials impervious to moisture and regular cleaning.
Account for allergies – Those sensitive to dust or mold should avoid porous tiles or real wood which trap particulates.
Allow time to style decor – After installing ceiling elements, take time editing and arranging furnishings in the new composed space.

Ceiling Décor Takeaways

Decorating ceilings deserves just as much attention in room schemes as walls, floors or furnishing choices. A thoughtfully enhanced overhead surface introduces color, texture and visual weight making it an impactful design element. Before starting any ceiling project, mindfully assess the existing architecture then brainstorm ideas that harmonize with the overall aesthetic vision for the space. In the end, your distinctive ceiling decor should feel purposeful and integrated not randomly tacked on or domineering.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ceiling Décor

What are the most popular ceiling decoration ideas?
Some of the most popular ceiling décor ideas include installing statement light fixtures, adding beams or wood planks, creating a tray or coffered ceiling, or applying special finishes like wallpaper or tin tiles.
How much does it cost to decorate a ceiling?
Costs vary greatly based on the type of project from just $100-$300 for stenciling designs or floating shelves up to $5,000 or more for installing wood beams, electrical work, or structural updates like a tray ceiling. The sky’s the limit for very ornate plaster medallions or commissioned ceiling mural paintings.
What ceiling colors look best?
White or very light pale ceilings keep rooms feeling open and airy. However, bold ceiling colors like navy blue, charcoal or even black can be striking and cocooning when done well. Crisp bright white trims contrasted with deeper neutral gray or taupe ceilings also imparts great style.
How do you decorate an angled ceiling?
Angled ceilings offer great potential for decor. Paint the angle a different color than the flat ceiling or vice versa. Consider running wood planks horizontally along the angle to draw the eye. Light fixtures and floating shelves hovering in the angle are also striking. Most angled ceiling ideas can apply like beams, wallpaper or tin tiles. Just adapt placements to follow the planes and intersections.
Can you put wallpaper on the ceiling?
Yes, wallpaper and murals can be applied to ceilings as long as proper adhesives suited for overhead applications are used. Also consider treatments that allow for easy removal for periodic access to electrical, plumbing or insulation above.
How do you decorate a drop ceiling?
For drop tile ceilings, replace existing tiles with more decorative tin, plastic, glass or mesh panels. Upgrading grid strips to bolder metals like copper or bronze also elevates basic drop ceilings. Consider painting tiles or the grid a contrasting color to the wall. Then install enhanced lighting around the perimeter to accentuate patterns.
What is the most inexpensive way to decorate a ceiling?
Easy inexpensive ceiling decor solutions include stenciling or painting freehand mural designs. Applying painter’s tape geometric shapes then coloring the sections different hues creates cool modern effects. Floating shelves affixed parallel to the ceiling also impress without much investment when utilizing found objets for display.
What should you not put on the ceiling?
Aside from structural and weight considerations, avoid ceiling decor that strikes the wrong balance like overly cutesy, silly or juvenile themes in formal, elegant rooms. Themes that pigeonhole rooms too extremely to one style can also limit longevity and versatility. Trendy colors and prints risk quickly dating. Overall, use timeless good judgment with ceiling décor scale and placements suited to the exact room.
How do you decorate a ceiling without a ladder?
Consider hiring professionals for safety whenever possible. For do-it-yourselfers without ladders, use a sturdy step stool or table to reach closer ceiling areas. Invest in a quality extendable pole painting system for reaching ceiling sections beyond normal reach. Some ceiling tasks like installations or electrical may still safely require ladders, lifts or expert help.
Where should you install ceiling lights in a bedroom?
Bedrooms mainly need ambient overall illumination versus task lighting. Mount matching semi-flush or flush mount fixtures evenly spaced apart centered over nightstands to achieve soft uniform lighting. Always have accessible wall switch controls. If room allows, pendant lights add stylish task lighting flanking the bed. Recessed cans also supplement overall ambient glow or accent architectural details.
How do you decorate the ceiling in a living room?
Elaborate chandeliers or pendant lighting make dramatic living room statements. Tray ceilings create appealing recessed spaces for painting or enhanced trim and crown molding details. Exposed wood beams and plank ceilings impart irresistible rustic warmth. Accentuate architectural details like vents and ductwork by coloring them differently than surrounding ceiling.
What color ceiling goes with dark brown walls?
Deep chocolate colored walls need equally strong ceiling colors to balance out the dark drama. Contrast with bright white, soft taupe gray or even consider vivid navy blue ceilings and trim for sophisticated dazzle. Crisp white with dark brown imparts cheerful modern personality. While soft pale grays and cream ceilings support flexible sophisticated or traditional schemes with dark walls.

|Conclusion
Ceiling décor deserves just as much attention in room schemes as walls, floors or furnishing choices. A thoughtfully enhanced overhead surface introduces color, texture and visual weight making it an impactful design element. Assessing existing architecture then brainstorming ceiling ideas that harmonize with the overall aesthetic vision ensures a cohesive finished look. With so many ceiling treatments to consider from medallions and lighting to wood planks or tin tiles, you’re only limited by your imagination. So look up next time inspiration for your home’s crowning touch strikes!