What’s the Best Ceiling Paint Color?

I was lying in bed on Saturday morning, knowing I should probably get up and start my day, but just staring up at the ceiling enjoying my nice warm bed. I was looking at the white ceilings and recalling how we had to pay extra for the option to paint our ceilings white, when we built our new home in Colorado. This was a strange concept to me at the time, because our ceilings in all of our homes had always been white. It got me thinking about the best ceiling paint color, and I knew others were wondering about it, too. So, I put together this post with the all the answers, so that you could choose the best ceiling paint color for your home.

Home builders and painters love the idea of spraying one single color on all of your walls and ceilings. Why? Because it’s easier, and saves money to use one single color. But, is that the right way to go?

Many interior designers recommend painting your ceiling the same color as the walls, but several shades lighter. And, in some rooms you might want a completely different color on the ceilings, and lean toward a darker color. So, what’s the right answer?

What color should you paint your ceilings?

My answer is WHITE…most of the time! Here’s why:

• As a general rule of thumb, light colors make a room appear larger. Therefore, white ceilings will make your small space feel a little bigger.
• A white ceiling “disappears,” allowing your eyes to focus on the walls and furnishings.
• Light colors also draw your attention upward. White ceilings can make a low ceiling look taller, and accentuate high ceilings, making the entire room feel more grand.
• Painting your ceilings white allows you to change the wall paint color anytime you’d like, without having to also re-paint the ceilings. Painting ceilings can be a real pain, even for professionals. This is probably the biggest reason to go with white ceilings!

Source: Just a Girl and Her Blog

When should you NOT use white?

• You want to create a cozy, moody, intimate feel in your room. Libraries and dens are great for this!
• You want to accentuate the ceiling or a feature of your ceiling with color (think coffered ceilings or tray ceilings). It’s true that a white ceiling will lead the eyes upward, but it’s also true that a dark color on the ceiling will also draw attention.
• You have natural wood features, like beams and paneling, on your ceilings. Painting them can create a big transformation, but these features are also considered highly desirable by many, and there are other ways to brighten a space than painting out natural wood features.

I love this next dining room picture. It’s a great example of how a darker ceiling color can create a major statement.

Source: Timber Trails Homes (@timbertrailshomes)

For the vast majority of home projects, white is the best choice for your ceilings. You don’t want to re-paint your ceilings every time you decide to re-paint your room…it’s more work, and more expensive. So, if you’re not sure what color to paint your ceiling, go with white. That’s what I use in my house, and I’m sticking to it!

What’s the best white paint color for ceilings?

There are a few whites that I often recommend for ceilings. I like them because they are nice neutral colors, and tend to go with everything. So, when it comes time to repaint the walls, you won’t have to worry that your ceiling white won’t play well with the new wall color.

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace – a crisp, bright white with no detectable undertones
• Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White – a nice, bright white with a touch of cool gray to soften it
• Benjamin Moore White Dove – a softer, warm white, but not so warm that it won’t compliment a wide range of wall colors
• Benjamin Moore Super White  – very bright, pure white
• Sherwin-Williams Extra White – on the cooler side, like Decorator’s White, but a little brighter
• Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White – their brightest white. Crisp, clean, pure white.

If you happen to know your trim color, another approach is to simply match your ceiling and trim colors. If you don’t know it, any of the whites above that are a close match to your trim will be a great choice.

What sheen should I use for my ceiling?

The best sheen for ceilings is a flat finish (or matte). Why? Because a flat paint sheen does the best job of hiding imperfections. Painting a ceiling is a little trickier than painting walls, and there can be some flaws in coverage. A flat sheen will help hide any mistakes by creating a less-reflective surface.  

If you have white walls, should your ceiling be the same paint color?

It depends on which white paint color you are using for your walls. If your walls are painted with one of the 6 paint colors mentioned above, then the answer is yes. If you walls are painted a white shade that is creamier, or darker than the ones listed, then you best bet may be to have a lighter color on the ceiling. BM Chantilly Lace is a great option for ceilings, when your interior walls are painted any shade of white, because it truly goes with everything. 

Happy painting everyone!