Tired of looking up at a plain white bathroom ceiling? Create the perfect backdrop to a relaxing soak or a revitalising shower with these fun decorating ideas…
Ceilings are often an afterthought in the design process, but they hold so much potential for making a statement. So, if you are looking to ditch clinical white and instead add the wow factor to your bathroom, we’ve rounded up some clever ideas to inspire you to transform your fifth wall…
Paint
Starting off with paint, it is a great, budget-friendly tool for adding interest to your bathroom ceiling. And there are so many creative ways to use it, from matching it to the wall coverings (tiles, wallpaper, panelling) to creating a dramatic contrast with an unexpected shade. Whichever colour you choose, however, it’s crucial to opt for a suitable, waterproof emulsion so it thrives in this humid environment.
“I often think ceilings are an overlooked opportunity to add impact, especially in smaller rooms like bathrooms or cloakrooms where you can afford to be a little braver,” says interior designer Laura Stephens. “In this case, I pulled the soft blush pink from the fabulous Print Sisters Archive wallpaper onto the ceiling to wrap the room in warmth and create a sense of intimacy and cohesion.”
“Painting ceilings is a great way to add extra atmosphere and illusion of height to a room, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens where space can be limited,” adds Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands. “Colour choices can depend on personal preferences, but soft blues, like our No.9 Glass paint by Beata Heuman, work particularly well. They bring character without feeling oppressive.”
Plaster
Tactile coatings such as limewash and Moroccan plaster are a good alternative to classic paint, ideal for achieving a spa-like look in your bathroom. For example, in this C.P. Hart room set collaboration with interior designer Matthew Williamson, Mortex Mineral Skin microcement, suitable in wet environments, covers the walls and ceiling.
“About five-to-six layers were required, followed by polishing with wax. The colour, chosen by Matthew, is Nude Strong, a warm plaster hue that beautifully complements the tiles and other design elements,” says Yousef Mansuri, director of design at C.P. Hart.
Bathroom wallpaper
And then, there’s wallpaper. There are so many options available these days, from pared-back patterns to eye-catching prints, perfect for making a statement in your bathroom and showing your ceiling some love. Some popular motifs at the moment are colourful stripes, florals, and geometric shapes.
But beware, it will feel a bit like you’re defying gravity when applying wallpaper to your ceiling, but the extra effort is oh-so-worth it! “When wallpapering a ceiling, always hang the length, starting at the window and ending at the opposite side of the room, so that the wallpaper is hung away from the light. This is the best way to avoid shadows on the wallpapered surface,” advises Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms.
If you are working around architectural features, wallpaper is perfect for embracing awkward nooks and alcoves and turning them into focal points. The bathroom below is drenched in a dark, sumptuous shade, with wallpaper adorning the space beneath the slanted ceiling, thus creating a stylish nook for the bath.
It’s also important to pay attention to the rest of the bathroom elements when deciding on a wallpaper design in order to make sure it doesn’t compete, but complement.
In this project, contrasting shades of green paired with wall panelling and striped wallpaper work in harmony without being too matchy. “While the ceiling is one of the most impactful aspects of this design, it only works because of the careful consideration of the rest of the room, ” says Sophie Harrold, creative director at Simply Bathrooms (Surrey). “The wallpaper used is Bethany Linz’s Fresco Stripe wallpaper, which adds subtle elegance and height, merging contemporary style with traditional influences.”
Need more inspiration? Scroll down to discover some amazing bathroom ceiling ideas we’ve spotted on Instagram (and don’t forget to follow us on there @kbbmagazine, too).
Spotted on social
Enjoyed this post? Click here for decorating ideas for your bedroom ceiling
About Post Author
