Here’s why you should consider a wallpapered ceiling. In this article, I’ll share what rooms work best for a wallpapered ceiling, what types of wallpaper to look for, and considerations before starting.
Let’s talk wallpapered ceilings! My mom was recently here for a visit and I enlisted her help in testing out a roll of peel-and-stick wallpaper on my guest bedroom ceiling.
Was this a good idea? Absolutely.
Was I prepared to do it? Not in any way, shape or form!
Did I let that stop me? Of course not!
But I digress. The one thing that came up was my mom’s repeated question to me: Why do you want to wallpaper the ceiling?
So, that’s the reason for today’s post. Why I want to wallpaper my ceiling and why you might consider it, too!
Wallpapered ceilings have been trending for a few years now but the idea of wallpapering a ceiling has been around for much longer. In the early 19th century, people used wallpaper on their ceilings to imitate plasterwork or bordered paper that resembled architectural elements like coffered ceilings.
These days, though, wallpapered ceilings are used to create a focal point on what is called the fifth wall!
WHY WALLPAPER A CEILING
The simple answer to my mom’s question about why I wanted to wallpaper the ceiling is this: Wallpapered ceilings can add visual interest, create a focal point, add personality or color, or even bring the room’s color palette together in one interesting pattern.
I am a neutral-lover at heart. I quickly tire of color and pattern so I tend to limit the amount I use. For me, the wallpapered ceiling gives me an opportunity to play with color and pattern without interrupting the serene look I want to create on the walls. Limited risk…lots of reward!
WHY CEILING DESIGN IS IMPORTANT
Ceilings are often overlooked in a room because they aren’t usually in our direct line of sight. After all, most people don’t walk around looking straight up! But we give so much thought and attention to the floor materials that we choose, the wall color, the furnishings, window coverings, etc., isn’t it odd then that we don’t often give any thought to the ceiling?
Designers actually refer to the ceiling as the “fifth wall” on a room. They are an opportunity to add impact, design details, and a wow factor. Unique ceiling design ideas can also spotlight an architectural feature!
Many ceiling design ideas are permanent and costly, though. This leads many people to skip ceiling design and stick to a safer alternative, such as a nice coat of neutral paint. But if you’re ready, here are some ideas ceiling wallpaper ideas.
ways to use wallpaper on a ceiling
Wallpaper on the ceiling tends to work best in spaces where the walls are neutral or lighter so as not to be too overpowering. Or you can pull one color from the wallpaper and paint the walls that one single color, with the ceiling still remaining the focal point.
But if you like the look of Maximalism, try papering all of the walls AND the ceiling!
ROOMS BEST FOR WALLPAPERED CEILINGS
Truly, you can wallpaper the ceiling of almost any room with the exception of a room that collects moisture, like a bathroom.
Small Spaces
Small spaces – closets, entryways, wet bar nooks, pantries, hallways, home offices, and powder rooms – are often overlooked in the design world because not much time is spent in those rooms. But can you imagine how that small space would transform if you wallpapered the ceiling?
Small rooms are a great way to dip your toe into the idea of a wallpapered ceiling without too much commitment. Of course, there’s the time and material savings with starting in a small area. But small areas are often a safer option because they are closed off from the rest of the house and so give you a chance to experiment, without affecting the aesthetic of the overall house.
Large Rooms
If you want to make more of a statement, consider wallpapering a larger area, like a dining room or living room! These public areas can have a bold look with a wallpapered ceiling! But, stick to only one room, maybe two at most, if you want to wallpaper the ceiling of a larger, public space like this.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are an ideal space for a wallpapered ceiling! Not only can each bedroom have its own personality, but the wallpaper can give a cozy feel to the room. Plus, laying down in these rooms offers the perfect opportunity to admire the ceiling!
TYPES OF WALLPAPER FOR A CEILING
As a general rule, larger-scaled patterns work better in large spaces and smaller patterns in small spaces. Also, if you want to draw attention to a particular feature on the ceiling (such as a skylight or beam), consider a bold pattern. If you want the ceiling to feel brighter, airier, and higher, look for a lighter pattern {both color and print}.
If your ceiling is at all sagging or irregular, though, avoid geometrics like stripes that will accentuate irregularities and instead, look for solid colors or organic patterns.
Regardless of what you choose, make sure it really “speaks” to you and that you love it. It’s like selecting art. You have to love what you choose or no matter how well it coordinates with the room, you’ll end up hating it.
The best way to select a wallpaper is to order a sample and actually test it out on the ceiling. Then live with it for a few days and see how it looks with the rest of the room, the textiles you’ve chosen, the lighting, etc.
Patterns
Wallpaper designs can vary widely, from small monochromatic patterns like checkered to large colorful whimsical pieces. As you choose your pattern, keep in mind how the space will be used and whether the design is appropriate for that particular space.
Texture only
If you’re a bit nervous about a pattern on the ceiling, consider just a textured wallpaper. Grasscloth is popular (again) and would be a great addition to a ceiling to add texture and dimension with out being overpowering.
Mural
A mural is a great addition to a ceiling, reminiscent of the frescos painted years ago on ceilings throughout Europe! Having a mural on the ceiling is a large-scale painting to be enjoyed, so it really does work best in a bedroom where it can be viewed laying down.
If you aren’t already familiar with Susan Harter, you just need to take one look and you’ll fall in love with her beautiful muralpapers.
Sky
You can make a room feel airy by literally mimicking the sky! That could mean soft blue with clouds, but it could also mean stars or even simple bird shapes.
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE WALLPAPERING THE CEILING
- Peel-and-stick is a great option if you don’t want the permanence of glued wallpaper; however, peel-and-stick will be more difficult to install since it doesn’t allow you to slide the wallpaper to get proper alignment.
- Avoid geometrics if your ceiling is sagging or irregular.
- Wallpaper works best on flat ceilings not only for adhesion, but also so that bumps don’t show through.
- Wallpapered ceilings are best when the ceiling is a square or rectangle without requiring too many cutouts for lights, smoke detectors, vents, etc. that will disrupt that pattern.
- If you have a low ceiling (8ft or lower), wallpaper can make the ceiling feel even lower depending on the color and how busy the pattern is. Just something to keep in mind!
For my guest room, I’m planning to keep the walls white so that the room is clean and simple. But for the ceiling, I fell in love with the Artemis wallpaper from Anthropologie.
I have a bit of a commitment issue, though, and wanted to go with peel-and-stick wallpaper even though it’s more difficult to install on the ceiling. I lucked out finding this Kianna Jacobean wallpaper on Amazon! Isn’t it pretty?!
MORE DECORATING TIPS
- 8 Ceiling Design Ideas for the Average Home
- 28 Creative Ideas for Decorating Tall Walls
- 6 Bold Decorating Ideas {without using color}
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