Ceilings don't have to be white.
White ceilings are often considered standard because they can help a room feel larger and brighter, but that doesn't mean they are mandatory. If you are considering a new color for your ceiling, remember that while you can use standard wall paint, specialized ceiling paint may be easier to apply because it is thicker and will drip less as you apply it. Ceiling paint is tintable like wall paint, so don't hesitate to ask for it in your favorite color.
Coordinated Colors
Look at the color swatch you've chosen for your wall color. If it is on a card with multiple shades of the same color, choose the paint color that is two to three shades lighter than your wall color for the ceiling. If your wall paint swatch was on a stand-alone card or if you no longer have the swatch, try to stay in the same color family and again go two to three shades lighter. Depending on the size of your room and the amount of light it gets, you may be able to go a bit darker with your ceiling color. For large rooms with a lot of natural light or high ceilings, choose a color that is just a shade or two lighter than a vibrant accent wall for your ceiling. For smaller rooms, go several shades an accent wall or one to two shades lighter than more neutral walls to allow light to reflect off the ceiling for a brighter room.
Continuous Color
Even if your room color is dark, painting the ceiling the same color of the walls can make the room seem larger, particularly for small spaces such as bathrooms, because the walls and ceiling aren't differentiated. This makes the space seem more continuous. For larger rooms with deep or vibrant colors, consider painting the ceiling and walls all the same color, such as a bright salmon or ocean-inspired blue, then add bright white crown molding, baseboards and trim to add vibrancy to the room and break up the color a little bit.
Light But Not White
If you like the idea of a bright, light room but just aren't feeling up for plain white, there are a variety of nearly white colors that will add a bit of life to your room without straying too far from neutral. For rooms with warm colors, such as shades of red, orange, yellow or brown, use ivory or a creamy light yellow. For cool-colored rooms, such as those painted in shades of green, blue and purple, use a light gray that is slightly tinted toward the room's main color. If your room is white and you want a ceiling color that is light but slightly tinted, choose a tint that coordinates with your other decor, such as couches, bedding or countertops.
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