Wallpaper on the Ceiling?! Yes, Please!

A room traditionally has four walls; think outside (or on top of) the box and see your ceiling as the fifth wall! Wallpapering ceilings is a design trend that is quickly becoming more mainstream. It’s a great way to introduce more color, texture, and a “pop” of character to any room. Wallpapers have come so far in the last 20 years, utilizing eco-friendly materials and beautiful patterns and images in a variety of mediums. By choosing the perfect wallpaper, you can create illusions of more light, more height, and a bigger room size. Here’s how we like to use wallpaper on ceilings at SJI!

Jeff Schlarb Design Studio

---

When to Use it

A wallpapered ceiling can do wonders for a room with already busy walls, such as a dining room with large, open doorways and a lot of windows. It’s a great way to introduce more pattern and texture without a chaotic feel. The clean palette of a ceiling gives the wallpaper a chance to really make a statement of it’s own. After all, white ceilings are boring!

Whether you’re adding more color to a room with neutral walls or complimenting another pattern, it’s essential to pair your wallpaper with the right paint or wall covering to really execute the design.

When mixing with another wall covering, try to vary the scale and pattern so as not to overwhelm the room. A busier pattern on the wall would warrant a simpler, geometric pattern on the ceiling.

Sophia Shibles Interiors

These gorgeous wall papers from Thibaut are a great example of appropriately mixing patterns, using “Brad” on the ceiling to compliment walls covered in “Peacock Garden”.

Thibaut - Brad

Thibaut - Peacock Garden

---

Jasmin Reese Interiors

What Patterns to Use

Geometric patterns with some contrast are great for ceilings. Because they’re are non-directional, undefined patterns will look good from all angles and won’t look like they’re upside down. Since a ceiling is not directly in your line of vision, you’ll want something with contrasting color patterns so it doesn’t get muddled in your peripheral. Smaller scaled patterns don’t translate well at a distance, so it’s best to keep them to a larger scale.

We love to utilize a metallic paper to add texture while still reflecting light into a room. It's a great way to introduce more light into a dark or moody room.

Dramatic floral wallpapers can introduce a bit more emotion into a room that would otherwise feel plain. Because of the intensity of floral prints, we suggest using them with a more neutral palette for the rest of the room. You’ll also want to ensure you choose a floral pattern that doesn’t seem to have a “right side up” feel.

---

Consider Professional Installation

We strongly recommend hiring a professional contractor to install any wallpaper, but especially when it’s installed on the ceiling. There is no room for error, so you want someone with experience and the right supplies to get the job done efficiently and correctly. Mistakes made while wallpapering can’t be covered up on a ceiling and will be there as long as the wallpaper is up.

It’s also important to consider just how much your time is worth. A professional who is experienced with wallpaper can quickly and efficiently get the job done, while you may be spending twice or more of the time trying to get it perfect. The right tools required for installation of wallpaper alone could cost you quite a bit of money and a professional installer will have their own. Plus, once they’re done, you’re not the one expected to clean up the leftover mess.

Working with an interior designer for your wallpaper needs ensures that you get the right measurements for your space so you’re buying just the right amount of wallpaper. A designer can also assist you in finding expert installation of your wallpaper so it’s done well the first time.

DKor Interiors

---

Need help finding the perfect wallpaper for your space? Schedule a design consultation today!