17 Ceiling Ideas That Take Your Interior Design to the Next Level

inlaid ceiling — Photo:
Nadia Watts Interior Design

If you limit your design plans to the lower parts of your room—the walls, floors, furniture, and windows—then you're missing an opportunity to take your aesthetic to a higher level (literally!).

Incorporating the ceiling into your interior design allows you to change the whole mood of your room. Add a subtly printed wallpaper in a rich color, create a focal point with beams, make your room cozier with exposed rafters or paneling, or choose an unexpected hue that turns the rest of your aesthetic into a cohesive whole. Ahead, let these ceiling ideas inspire you to take your design to new heights.

01 of 17

Paint the Rafters

Exposed rafters in this waterfront-inspired dining area get a coat of lake-blue paint that draws the eye upward, making the ceiling feel higher. The pale color contrasts with the bolder aquas used in the curtains and light fixture.

02 of 17

Highlight Architectural Details

While an angled ceiling can make an upper-story room feel gloomy and small, using a rich neutral paint color against a patterned wallpaper turns this space's unique eaves and lines into a dramatic focal point.

03 of 17

Use High-Gloss Paint

high gloss blue painted ceiling — Michael Mundy

The tray ceiling in this kitchen of layered blues is covered with a hue that's just a few shades apart from the walls and tile. The ultra-high-gloss paint turns the ceiling into a shimmering reflective surface that bounces light throughout the sunny dining area.

04 of 17

Add Wood Paneling

wood panel kitchen ceiling — Nadia Watts Interior Designer

Gleaming wood paneling on the ceiling in this kitchen mirrors the warmth of the rich flooring, adding a cozy accent against the all-white cabinets, walls, and counters.

05 of 17

Hang Bold Paper

teal wallpaper on ceiling — Nadia Watts Interior Design

The deep teal walls in a maximalist living space blend into complementary paper with a bold graphic print. Papering the ceiling prevents the visual cut-off a white ceiling would provide, allowing the room to feel cohesive and intentional.

06 of 17

Highlight a Fixture

bathroom ceiling design — Nadia Watts Interior Design

An eye-catching ivory light fixture could blend into an all-white ceiling in this black-and-white bathroom, but setting it inside a framed circle painted in contrasting black—and adding a black trim stripe around the crown molding—connects it to the rest of the décor.

07 of 17

Create a Focal Point

round beam breakfast nook ceiling — Nadia Watts Interior Design

In an intimate dining area surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed beams meet at a center point to anchor the chandelier. Turning the ceiling into a focal point also draws attention toward the windows—and the views.

08 of 17

Accent a Coffered Ceiling

In this formal living area, a coffered ceiling accented with wood inlay blends traditional design with casual hues. The light wood prevents the black marble fireplace and slate bookshelves from overpowering the space, while the white trim lightens the overall effect.

09 of 17

Scale Up Exposed Beams

large exposed beams — Nadia Watts Interior Design

While exposed beams are a popular ceiling accent, installing scaled-up versions in a space with stone walls and oversized windows adds rustic texture. Leather furniture, a tiled fireplace, and a high-contrast area rug finish the lodge-inspired living room.

10 of 17

Install Arching Frameworks

arched hallway beams — Nadia Watts Interior Design

Accent a soaring hallway ceiling with intricate arched beams that span a vaulted ceiling and frame an oversized window. Choose a wood that coordinates with hallway railings and window grids to create a unified transitional space.

11 of 17

Create a Concrete Look

modern living room white fireplace — Brian Wetzel

Concrete is an atypical choice for a ceiling—you're more likely to find it below your feet than over your head—but it adds a chic industrial contrast to this soothing, comfortable space.

12 of 17

Pair Panels and Stone

living room with wooden ceiling and stone wall — Getty Images/Gremlin.

In a darker stain, the wood panels, beams, and walls in this mountain rustic lodge could feel dated and dim. But in a lighter shade, the wood feels fresh—a natural complement to the stacked stone accent wall and plush seating.

13 of 17

Highlight Asymmetry

living room of kristen blazek family home — Courtesy of @virtuallyherestudios

A gently sloping asymmetrical ceiling becomes a point of visual interest when lined with parallel panels in a subtle ivory hue. The light color balances the warm, earthy tones in the furniture and textiles.

14 of 17

Install Contrasting Beams

Add an organic element to an all-white kitchen with farmhouse-inspired beams that work just as well in a modern space. The wooden accent pieces define the space and keep the white walls from feeling stark and cold.

15 of 17

Use a Small-Print Wallpaper

wallpaper on slanted ceiling — Sarah Stacey Interior Design/Avery Nicole

While a bold-print wallpaper on the ceiling gives your space a modern and contemporary feel, a traditional, small-scale print is charming and inviting. Don't focus on making sure the pattern lines up; the difference in layouts helps separate the two walls and ground the space.

16 of 17

Color Drench the Ceiling

Color drenching your room—applying the same shade to the walls, molding, and ceiling—is a chic way to use your favorite color in your favorite space. Embrace a single hue on all the surfaces in your room to let architectural details stand out.

17 of 17

Add Understated Details

Blue living room at home — Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

In a monochrome white palette, the coffered ceiling in this living room provides a subtle detail that elevates the space without pulling the focus from the room's other design elements—like the stone fireplace, inset bookshelves, and coastal artwork.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!