Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

The 9 Best Ceiling Paint Colors (Beyond White), According to Designers

The 9 Best Ceiling Paint Colors (Beyond White), According to Designers

Interior designers turn to these tried-and-true shades of blue, green, and gray for cozy rooms.

For many, ceiling colors are an afterthought. In fact, many have only lived with various shades of matte white. While crisp, bright shades will always have their place, today’s top designers are creating uniquely soothing interiors by showcasing soft shades of color up above.

For traditionalists, sticking with white can be a safe bet. But if you’re looking to capture a designer look or try something new, consider a soothing shade from nature for your ceilings. “I love opting for soft shades of blue on a ceiling for a wow factor,” says Nicole Gibbons, interior designer and founder of Claire Paint. “It gives the feeling of a fresh, open sky and brings calm to a space.”

Whether neutral, serene, or slightly statement-making, these expert-recommended ceiling paint colors can elevate your rooms and foster feelings of peace and tranquility.

                                                

Stone Harbor, Benjamin Moore


Bria Hammel of Bria Hammel Interiors chose Benjamin Moore’s Stone Harbor in an elegant satin finish for the ceiling of a recent project. “We knew we wanted to paint the shiplap ceiling of this sunroom a contrasting color, but wanted to make sure it wasn’t too loud or overwhelming,” she said. “This beautiful, warm gray was the perfect choice. We love that it draws your eye up but still makes the room feel light and airy.”



Gateway Gray, Sherwin-Williams


For those with ceiling beams and architectural details, Sherwin-Williams’s earthy shade Gateway Gray is a lovely choice. Designer Alison Giese of Alison Giese Interiors turned to this ceiling color for a home with beautiful views of nature. "To further drive the drama in the space, we painted the ceiling Pure White and chose to paint the trim and beams Gateway Gray,” Giese says. “The result is an airy yet layered and inviting space for our clients to enjoy their morning cups of coffee.”



Silvery Blue, Benjamin Moore


Designer Laura Hodges of Laura Hodges Studio recommends Silvery Blue by Benjamin Moore. “I chose this silvery blue color to closely match the wall color and continue the calming palette up onto the ceiling,” she says. “Painting the ceiling a similar color to the wall allows the room to feel bigger, rather than stopping your eye at the ceiling plane. This soft, powdery blue also resembles the color of the sky and complements the lush surrounding landscape.”



Studio Green, Farrow and Ball


For Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design, Farrow & Ball’s rich forest shade Studio Green is an ideal choice. “For this client’s master bedroom, we painted the walls and ceiling Studio Green and painted all of the trim cream,” she says. “The room is very large so we were originally tasked with making the vast space feel cozy. Painting the ceiling a darker color such as this deep green allowed the room to feel more warm and sumptuous.”



Pale Smoke, Benjamin Moore


For cathedral ceilings, designer Linda Banks of Banks Design Associates recommends Pale Smoke by Benjamin Moore.“This color is what I call a ‘chameleon color.’ I have a few in my repertoire that change with light and the weather, and this is a classic example,” she says. “I find that when it is painted on a ceiling it ‘dematerializes’ the ceiling and makes it seem like it’s floating away. The atmospheric character of Pale Smoke is like no other.”



Mount Etna, Sherwin-Williams


Shannon Crain of Shannon Crain Design used Mount Etna by Sherwin-Williams on the walls and ceiling of this glamorous living room. “I wanted it to feel bold, but cozy at the same time and Sherwin-Williams' Mount Etna felt like the right color for movie and game nights with family,” she says. “I carried the color onto the ceiling because I wanted the room to feel like stepping into a special place for togetherness. The sort of space that wraps you up and invites you to get comfortable.”



Finnie Gray, Benjamin Moore


Alessia Zanchi Loffredo of Chicago’s reDesign Home used Benjamin Moore’s Finnie Gray on the ceiling of this monochromatic study. She says the room’s uniform palette creates “a calming, soothing, and elegant vibe” ideal for working from home. This sandy shade works beautifully with other colors and textures, allowing lighting and decorative elements to shine.“It allows the pairing of many additional color tones such as shades of green, black, brown, gray, and ivory as well as steel, wood, brass, bone, and vintage finishes,” Loffredo says.



Skylight, Farrow and Ball


Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design used Farrow & Ball’s Skylight on the ceiling in this modern living space. “We originally wanted to wallpaper the ceiling, but because of budgeting, we went the affordable and cheerful route of paint,” she says. “I selected a soft blue-gray to subtly draw attention to the fabulous Tom Dixon pendants. This also helped tone down how glam they are, as well as pulling blue from the antelope rug.”



Onyx, Benjamin Moore


Emma Kemper of Emma Beryl Interiors chose a stormy gray shade called Onyx for her client’s bedroom ceiling. “Whenever I use a dark paint color or wallpaper in a room, I think it’s extremely important to carry the dark tones onto the ceiling to avoid a high-contrast white ceiling that looks forgotten about,” Beryl says. “I love that Onyx by Benjamin Moore has depth and dimension that makes your ceiling appear larger and higher than it is.”

Expert Advice for Choosing a Ceiling Color


To achieve a consistent look that pairs well with your current wall color, Loffredo recommends using the same wall color for the ceiling but changing the finish to flat.“If all the trimwork is Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster, then I continue the Alabaster on the ceiling, but I change the sheen,” she says. “If a room doesn’t feature trimwork such as crown molding, then I’d continue the color of the wall onto the ceiling and change the sheen." This creates relaxing consistency within the space while also adding polish.

Ultimately, giving your ceiling color consideration throughout the design process can go a long way, no matter the color you choose. “Painting your ceiling can really elevate your space,” Gibbons says. “If you’re going for white, it can take your space from feeling drab to looking fresh and bright. And if you opt for a color on your ceiling, it is a fantastic way to draw the eye up while also bringing a sense of drama and high design to your room.” For a reliably soothing ceiling shade, Gibbons recommends Headspace as well as the traditional crisp-white Snow Day.

As with all painting projects, test your samples in the room you plan to paint. Checking in on them throughout the day can help avoid mistakes as natural and artificial light can change the appearance of color once it’s on the wall.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
Intel Reports Revenue Beats but Sees 81% Rise in Losses
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
Tulsi Gabbard Unveils Evidence Alleging Political Manipulation of Intelligence During Trump Administration
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Trump Announces Coca-Cola to Shift to Cane Sugar in U.S. Production
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi K2: A New Open-Source AI Model
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
Western Europe Records Hottest June on Record
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
×