Accent your cathedral ceiling's architecture with paint colors.
The ideal paint color and design for your cathedral ceiling depends on how you want it to interact with the room and the rest of your decor. You also need to take into account the ceiling's shape, size and height. Consider whether you want to maximize the ceiling's appearance of height or make the room seem more enclosed and cozy when choosing color and design.
Dramatic Looks
Painting the ceiling surfaces one color and the support beams another will draw attention to this architectural feature and highlight it as a focal point in the room, which can create a dramatic effect. You can also make your cathedral ceiling an eye-catching statement by painting it with a mural. Choose images that are relatively neutral, such as cloudy skies or nature scenes. These images can add to your home's resale value, whereas you may need to paint over highly personalized murals if you move. Another eye-catching look is to paint the main surfaces a bright color that coordinates with your decor, then paint architectural features bright white or a lighter shade of the bold color.
Colors for Comfort
Choose a deep shade of paint to make rooms with cathedral ceilings seem more enclosing and comfortable. Mahogany-tone browns work well in rooms with wood furnishings and floors, while purples or navy shades look best with rooms in cool tones. For a room that feels cozy and complete, choose a color that is two to three shades darker than your wall paint but still in the same color tone. Warm reds, deep golds and browns work well with most decor.
Bright and Open
Paint the ceiling a light but vibrant shade of nearly any color to make the room feel open and airy without over-dramatizing the ceiling. Sky blue, sage green or pale coral tones will emphasize the vertical space without drawing too much attention, especially when paired with walls that are the same color, just a few shades darker.
Change the Borders
Take advantage of the open space while still keeping the room cozy by installing crown molding at the normal ceiling height of 8 feet above the floor, then continuing your ceiling color down the walls until it meets the molding. Paint the molding bright white for a lively effect or more subtle buff in rooms with darker, subdued tones. You can also paint the molding with your ceiling color to give the room more continuity.
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