As you are preparing to paint the inside of your house you are probably asking yourself, “Should I paint my ceilings the same color as the walls?” It all depends on the room, the angles, and the color of the walls will be. There are many different advantages and disadvantages to painting the walls and ceiling the same color. Let’s consider some reasons why painting walls and ceilings the same color is a good idea and why it may be a bad idea.
If you are painting your walls a neutral color it can be quite simple to decide to paint your ceiling the same color as the walls. Often when you paint the ceiling and walls the same color, it can allow for other features in the room to pop or stand out. Perhaps you have a gorgeous fireplace or beautiful, new kitchen cabinets – by painting the ceiling and walls the same color it can make these features stand out in the room. Or maybe you want the focus to be on the decorations and furniture of the room not on the room itself. Painting the ceiling the same as the walls can help bring focus to these other features that you wish to highlight. However, if you are painting the walls a very bright or bold color, it would be a very daring decision to paint the ceiling the same color.
When painting the walls and ceilings the same color is done correctly (also painting the trim the same color) it can have the effect of making the room appear bigger. Matching the walls and ceilings with the same color can create a seamless look – if the room has angled walls or ceilings it can help prevent a disjointed feeling from the different colors and angles. The transition from the wall to the ceiling will be less noticeable when they have been painted the same color. Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls in a very large room can also help to make that room feel cozier. Perhaps one of the main reasons for painting the walls and ceiling the same color is the time it takes. If you are on a tight timeline to complete the painting and/or renovations, painting the walls and ceiling the same color will save a lot of time. There is less masking to do and fewer straight lines to worry about making. As well as saving time, painting the ceiling the same color as the walls can save money and that money could be spent on other renovations in your home. Painting the ceiling the same as walls can make the room look cleaner and more relaxed specifically if it is a light, neutral color. Lighter hues create a more relaxing ambiance.
However, there are some other things to consider, if the room is very small and does not have a lot of natural light painting walls and ceilings the same color could potentially make the room feel smaller. If the color is very bright or bold (i.e. not a neutral color) it can be very overwhelming. Another thing to consider when asking the question, “Should the ceiling be the same color as the walls?” is if there are any beautiful ceiling moldings or designs that would be hidden by painting everything the same color. Some people also feel that painting the walls and ceiling the same color can make the room feel cold and lifeless. Overall, it is a case-by-case basis when considering if painting the ceiling the same color as the walls is the right choice. Things to consider when making the decision: time, price, size of the room, the color of the wall, angle of the walls and ceiling, and the overall feel of the completed room.
