Give the fifth wall some love with these clever decorating and design ideas that’ll have you staring at the ceiling for all the right reasons. It’s officially time to kick your design skills into high gear.
Published August 9, 2017, Updated July 20, 2020
Ship(lap)-Shape
The oft-overlooked ceiling is the star of this sloped cabin-inspired living room, where the bright-white shiplap treatment (complete with faux-wood beams) provides high-end textural interest without overpowering the room. Want to see more? Take the full tour of this luxe Muskoka makeover featured on Scott’s Vacation House Rules.
Coastal Mood
A tan-hued plank ceiling adds warmth and appeal to this coastal-inspired living room designed by Love it or List it Vancouver‘s Jillian Harris. Wood elements, including a shelving unit and coffee table, tie the room together. Check out more of this must-see home here.
Hot Trend Alert
So maybe your DIY skills aren’t great – but how are your biceps? If you can safely stand it, give your arms a workout and your ceiling a makeover by adding an “it” shade of pink wallpaper. Forget accent walls: be the trendsetter you’ve always wanted to be by creatively making use of all that leftover wallpaper. Find more of the best uses for your wallpaper that don’t involve walls.
Let There Be Light
The skylight ‘strip’ is the highlight in this gorgeous open-concept dining and living space. We love how it imparts warmth and texture and is a natural foil to the cement-inspired floors. For more, check out these soaring kitchen ceilings that will give you serious design envy.
Grand Entrance
Jasmine Roth pulled out all the stops with this stunning living room renovation featured on Rock the Block, but it’s the wood-panelled ceiling and unique chandelier that have us applauding. See more of Jasmine Roth’s dreamiest transformations to inspire your next reno.
Accent This
You’ve heard of an accent wall – but why not get ahead of the trend and opt for an accent ceiling? This teal beauty featured on Masters of Flip immediately punches up the colour quota in this otherwise-neutral living room.
Welcome Contrast
Drew and Jonathan Scott didn’t stop at raised ceiling beams for this jaw-dropping kitchen design featured on Property Brothers. They added on-trend navy blue cabinets and terra cotta tile floors to really send the look over the top, especially when paired with the exposed beams on the ceiling and blown-glass pendant lights.
Glamorous Heights
This glam industrial-inspired home boasts a stunning ceiling that truly reaches new heights. You’ll be tempted to crane your neck just to take in the plaster job, wood beams and pendant lights. Get the scoop on all the most popular interior design styles – and find out what they mean.
Stencil This
It’s hard to believe this snazzy ceiling designed by Jillian Harris came together with paint and stencilling. Adding a fun design – such as stars – to a den or kids’ room is a relatively easy and budget-friendly way to elevate a space and introduce a bit of welcome playfulness.
Curved Looker
Here’s another captivating ceiling treatment that gives a simple bedroom life. Sure, the designers could have simply added more pops of colour, but using curved beams on the shiplap ceiling is much more powerful because it’s on such a large scale. Find more minimalist bedroom decorating ideas that aren’t boring.
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