How to Use Ceilings to Enhance Your Furniture

Despite being the single largest surface in almost any room, we seldom think of our ceilings, and often miss out on exciting ways to bring a new style to our homes. This handy guide offers hints and tips on making the most of your ceiling, with decorating tips and examples for you to draw on.

If your ceiling has sloping sections, these can be painted to match the walls, breaking up the line between wall and ceiling and giving your room a unique look. Alternatively, sloping sections can be painted in a contrasting tone for a bold expression of your style. For example, in a room with a royal blue wall and white ceiling a sloping section can be painted red, or if this is too much, slate grey. This is perfect for creating an environment to show off contemporary furniture, as the emphasis on lines and shapes will fit the clean aesthetic of modern furniture. Try installing recessed halogen spotlights to really nail that up-to-the-minute look.

The Sistine Chapel ceiling,
painted by Michaelangelo

If you're going for a traditional look, then why not consider a ceiling rose? Plaster roses (sometimes called ceiling medallions) can be bought from DIY superstores, although it's recommended that you have a professional do the installation. Once installed, you have a choice of paint options. The traditional choice is white, the same as the rest of the ceiling, but you can get a refined, relaxed-yet sophisticated look by painting it in a patina of bronze, copper or even gold. Ceiling roses really set off a traditional room, and you can create a great effect by accessorising traditional wooden sideboards, console tables and bookshelves with matching bronze, copper or gold ornaments.

The exposed beams in this room really
contribute to its relaxed style

If you are lucky enough to have exposed wooden beams in your ceiling, it's worth taking the time to make sure they look their best. You can go for the old-fashioned, Tudor-style option of painting them black or deep umbre, and pairing this with a white or cream ceiling. If you want a more modern look, strip your beams back and give them a coat of Danish oil for a light and airy feel. This look is perfect for setting off chunky oak furniture, and can really bring out the grain in pieces with large surfaces, such as coffee tables.