Make the ceiling your fifth wall

 

 

Many people usually paint the ceiling white because it adds brightness by reflecting light into the room, but you can try dark colours for a unique look, especially in rooms that do not need a lot of natural light. 

 

Venture out and embrace the different hues on the market. You will be surprised how beige matches with a variety of colours in the house interior. Think of a beige ceiling (a very light brown) on top of peach or pale yellow walls.

 

Ronald Ntege of Core Construction, says people should look at the ceiling as the fifth wall and use it to guide the room’s finishing. 

 

“A ceiling painted a shade different from the walls brings variety, charm and is fun to look at,” he says. 

But for the not so adventurous people, colour can be introduced decoratively. Have designs on the ceiling and paint them.

 

The design will add beauty to the ceiling, while sections that remain white, will reflect light where it is needed.

 

When to use dark colours When the wall colour is very pale, painting the ceiling the same colour shows continuity, says Ismail Kazibwe, a painter and building constructor. However, when the wall colour is very light, leaving the ceiling white gives an impression of unfinished work, as if there is more to expect.

 

When a room gets plenty of natural light, it is good to paint the walls and ceiling the same shade. The right amount of light will be reflected around the room. However, if there is low natural light, dark and dull colours should be avoided.

 

“I went to a room whose walls and ceiling were painted the same colour, yet it received very little natural light. It looked like a cave,” says Christine Nalunga, a home owner.

 

In such a situation, Kazibwe says decorative painting of a given design or adding a stripe of colour on the cornice would be the best option. This approach, he adds, would tie the ceiling to the wall and allow for light to be reflected into the room.

“Alternatively, use bright warm hues on the wall and ceiling,” Ntege explains. 

 

According to Kazibwe, warm colours appear to give off their own light. Colours like yellow, orange, mustard, pink and peach can brighten up a dark room in a way that white will not. So, have that dark room painted a bright shade right up to the ceiling.

 

To some people, a coloured ceiling may seem lower in height, while to others, it may be the opposite. Choose white or other colour options basing on what you want to achieve and what works well for you.