9 Best Ceiling Paint Colors to Consider

What Is the Best Color to Paint a Ceiling?

Think of the ceiling as the fifth wall of your room. Instead of going straight for the white paint, have fun with the ceiling color and dramatically change the vibe of the space. The possibilities are endless!

But what colors work best and which ones will overwhelm the space?

Color is always subjective of course, so don’t get too hung up on the rules. Here’s what a few design and paint experts had to say about picking the best ceiling color for any room.

Get cozy with dark colors

According to Rob Abrahams of Coat Paints, you shouldn’t be afraid of a dark ceiling, especially in a bedroom.

“Choosing a dark color for the walls, like navy or even black, can soften the space,” Abrahams says. “Dark colors absorb light and dull the edges of the room, making it feel softer and relaxing. Kind of like a cozy cave. Take that dark color up onto the ceiling, too, and you’ll maximize that cave feeling, which can help with a restful night’s sleep.”

Check the light reflective value

The amount of natural light a room receives can drastically effect the look of paint color on the walls and ceiling. Heather Prestanski of Comfortable Dwelling says when choosing a ceiling color, pay attention to the paint’s light reflective value (LRV), which is the amount of light it reflects.

“A color on the ceiling that is the same value (as in they both have the same or similar LRV) will expand the ceiling, making it feel taller,” she says. “LRV is a number between 0 and 100. You can find this number on the back of most paint chips.”

Go for a flat finish

No matter what color you choose, most experts recommend a flat finish for your ceiling.

“Typically ceilings are done in a flat finish because they do not get exposed to the handling that walls get,” says Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions. By handling, she means hand prints and dog slobber that needs to be washed off walls. Therefore, a washable finish is best.

Plus, a flat- or matte-finish ceiling doesn’t draw too much attention. A high-sheen paint, however, will draw the eye up and distract from the rest of the room.