Okay, real talk — every time we decide to give a room a little refresh, we usually know where to start. New paint on the walls, maybe swap out the floor, pick up some new decor or furniture. You get the idea.
But there’s one thing almost no one thinks about right away… the ceiling.
Yep. That big ol’ blank space right above your head. We just kind of forget it’s even there, don’t we? But honestly, doing something with the ceiling can totally change the whole vibe of a room. It doesn’t even take up any space — it’s just sitting there, waiting for a little love.
My Little Ceiling Project
So, I was redoing my kids’ bathroom not too long ago. Nothing fancy, just trying to make it feel fresh. First step: painted the walls white. Easy. Looked nice. But then I looked up… and wow, that ceiling was just plain sad. Super boring.
I figured, well, I’ve already got the paintbrush out, why not?
I went for a nice medium gray — the color’s called Coventry Gray by Benjamin Moore, if that’s helpful. Right away, the room felt a bit more put together. But I wasn’t done yet.
I wanted to try something other than the usual crown molding. So I grabbed a few 1×6 pine boards and nailed them flat to the ceiling. Then I layered some 4.25-inch baseboards right on top. Kind of a stacked trim look. To finish it off, I ran a simple 1×2 pine board where the ceiling meets the wall.
After caulking all the gaps and painting it with semi-gloss white, it honestly looked so much better. More finished. Like, it suddenly had some personality.
And get this — the whole thing cost me about $135. That’s it. Paint, boards, done. Not bad for a weekend project with a nail gun and a little patience.
But that’s just one idea. You can get pretty creative with ceilings if you want. There are loads of ways to make them more interesting.
Ideas to Give Your Ceiling a Bit of Style
So, if you’re staring at your ceiling right now thinking, “Okay… what can I even do with that?” — don’t worry, I’ve got you.
1. Just Paint It
Seriously. Sometimes all a ceiling needs is a fresh coat of paint. Even plain white can make the room look cleaner and brighter. But if you’re feeling bold, try something more fun. Navy blue, soft green, dusty pink — go for whatever fits the room.
And don’t stress too much. If you hate it later, you can always repaint.
2. Add Some Pattern or Texture
Feeling a little adventurous? Try wallpaper. I know — wallpaper on a ceiling sounds weird at first, but it looks awesome. Stripes, florals, whatever fits your style. It can really bring a room to life.
You could also do tiles. In a bathroom, ceramic tiles on the ceiling can be super cool. Or go with tin panels for an old-school vibe. Even something like faux copper can work if you want texture without spending a fortune.
3. Play Around with Molding
Molding doesn’t have to be boring. You don’t have to stick with the regular crown molding around the edges. Try layering different sizes, or build shapes with it — squares, frames, whatever you like.
And if you have a ceiling light fixture, adding a medallion around it makes it pop more. It’s one of those small changes that really adds charm.
4. Use Wood Planks
Want a cozy or farmhouse kind of look? Wood planks work great for that. You can use shiplap or reclaimed wood — depends on whether you want it to feel fresh or more rustic.
You don’t even have to cover the whole ceiling. Just doing one section can create a really nice focal point in the room. Run the boards straight, diagonally, or even in a pattern. Totally up to you.
5. Go Big with Architecture
If you want to take it up a notch, think about more dramatic changes. Coffered ceilings are really classic. Faux beams can give you that big “wow” factor. And if your room already has a high ceiling, trusses or barrel shapes look amazing.
Of course, some of these ideas cost more or take more time. But if you’re remodeling anyway, it might be worth considering.
Combine Ideas for Something Unique
One of the best things? You can mix and match a bunch of these ideas.
Like, try painted shiplap and wood beams. Or wallpaper the ceiling, then add molding around the edges. Or use tile in one area and paint the rest.
There’s no single “right” way to do this stuff. Just have fun with it and make it feel like you.
Final Thought: Look Up!
So yeah — next time you’re giving a room a new look, don’t forget about the ceiling. It’s easy to ignore, but when you show it some attention, the whole space changes.
It doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just a little color, some trim, or even a few wood boards can totally lift the space.
Try it once, and you’ll never skip the ceiling again.
