Choosing the right colours for your home is a very personal undertaking. We all have a unique sense of style and taste, so colour is usually at the top of the list. Our favourite “go to” colours often provide the bases of all our interior design decisions, especially when choosing colours for our walls.
So when I was recently asked to paint out a ceiling for a client, I was left scratching my head for a moment.
I have always referred to the ceiling as the fifth wall. I felt it deserved as much attention as the other four walls that surround a room for a number of reasons. First, if you get the ceiling wrong the whole room looks horrible. Most ceilings lack the same finished quality of the rest of the room, too. Drywall and tapers find it difficult to work over their heads, and if you have ever stood under a ceiling being sanded, you too would try to get the job done as soon as possible.
Here are some valuable tips when painting your fifth wall.
1. Always paint your ceiling using a flat or matte paint finish.
Flat paint is your best defence against poorly taped or sanded ceilings. I avoid actual ‘ceiling’ paints as they are usually stark white, making the room feel clinical or institutional.
2. Use the tone of your walls when painting the ceiling.
Each room in my house is painted using a shade of the colour that is on the walls. Simply pour a quarter gallon of flat white purchased for the ceiling, add a quarter gallon of the wall paint colour and stir it in. The result will be a soft blend between the walls and the ceiling. This effect takes the starkness away from ceiling, leaving a soft hue of colour on top and the richness of the wall colour intact.
Another great resource when preparing to paint your walls or ceilings is to hit the web. I often research my favourite paint companies for the latest trends in colour and design. Sherwin Williams — or @sherwinwilliams on Twitter — is a great resource I use. Their twitter feed will also show you DIY jobs and real feedback from paint pros and home owners.
Social media is booming with young creative talent who are constantly pushing the envelope. I recently touched base with my favourite artist on twitter @virginiaAIF and here is what she had to say about painting ceilings.
“I believe in taking full advantage of that fifth wall. Especially in kid’s rooms where it’s that one room you can think outside the box, get super creative and incorporate a child’s personality through the wall design. The sky’s the limit and the options are endless when designing these rooms with paint.
“Remember, you can go as bold or subtle as you like — just don’t forget to treat the ceiling like a wall. It deserves some attention too.” — @virginiaAIF
IMAGES via Virginia DesRoches
