Say goodbye to plain white bedroom ceilings! It’s time to give your fifth wall some special attention with the help of a fresh lick of paint or a touch of whimsical wallpaper.
Whether you’re looking to draw the eye up to give the illusion of a more ample bedroom or want to add wow factor to your sleep space, getting creative with your ceiling is a guaranteed way of elevating your design.
To inspire you, we’re looking at eight of our favourite decorating ideas for your fifth wall…
Moody and mysterious bedroom ceiling
For a harmonious scheme, Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director of YesColours, recommends using different tones from the same colour family on your walls and ceiling. “Bedrooms should feel like the ultimate relaxation zone, so it’s best to choose shades that create a tranquil atmosphere. Embracing darker hues throughout the room can enhance its restorative and comforting vibe, making it a true haven for rest,” she says. “For instance, shades of purple and blue can evoke a sense of luxury and drama.”
Playing opposites
Instead of doing the typical ‘colour on the wall – white ceiling’ look, why not throw the rulebook out the window, and reverse this decorating technique? Keeping the walls neutral and painting the ceiling in a daring shade can make for a characterful, cocooning space. Blues and greens, for example, create a calming feeling, and teal is the perfect, stylish combination of the two, ideal for a bedroom design.
Reaching new heights
Stripes are not going anywhere in 2025, so how about splashing them all over your bedroom? We love how the wallpaper here has not only been used on the ceiling, but also on the wall, as an alternative to classic panelling. For a bold, mid-century twist, add a statement leather bed frame and wooden furniture. The Farrow & Ball striped wallpapers also emphasise the impressive height of the ceiling.
Escapist retreat
Bring the outdoors in by cloaking your walls and ceiling in nature-inspired wallcoverings. In this bedroom, which sits within the pitched roof extension of a charming country cottage, interior designer Uns Hobbs of Uns Hobbs Interiors used a leaf-print wallpaper to recreate the feeling of sleeping under the trees. The dainty pattern also helps soften any angular architectural lines, thus creating the perfect space for a restful snooze.
Edgy biophilic bedroom
Embrace the biophilic aesthetic, but add a contemporary touch by pairing dark green paint with a striking botanical wallpaper. Inspired by one of London’s most beautiful spots, St James’s Park, Divine Savages’ Bloomin’ Marvellous print displays an explosion of trailing peonies in blush pink, soft rose, and leafy green, with tiny royal pelicans dotted throughout. The painted ceiling brings a dose of drama and plenty of dimension to the design.
Draw the eye up
Striped wallpaper and murals are helpful tools in making compact spaces feel larger by drawing the eye up. “Space in our homes is precious, and with many rooms often serving multiple purposes, wallpaper can help zone different spaces, creating a reading nook, a home office area or dining space within a larger room,” says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. “Adding a wallpaper in an otherwise painted room or using two wallpaper designs within a space will add an intriguing design detail to neglected nooks and alcoves, creating a focal point and drawing the eye to interesting architectural features of the room or zoning a particular area,” she advises.
Grounding green ceiling
Achieve a tranquil feeling in your bedroom by keeping the walls neutral and painting the ceiling in a deep, grounding colour. A dark, jewel tone such as forest green is bound to infuse sophistication into your space while luxurious satin materials for bedding and soft furnishings are ideal for achieving a boutique hotel feeling. Complete the look by opting for classic wood furniture pieces and brass lighting fixtures.
Maximalists’ dream
If you are more of a maximalist and want to make a statement in your sleep space, wrap your room in patterned wallpaper and pick one of the striking shades for your ceiling. This will instantly take your bedroom to the next level. In the bedroom pictured below, the bed canopy matches the wallpaper for a truly stand-out look.
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