Add A Pop Of Color To Your Ceiling With This Easy Medallion Upgrade

Between the playful dopamine decor trend and designers drifting away from neutral everything, by now we all know that color is transformative. It makes a space feel lively, adds personality, and is fun to look at. What many forget, however, is that ceilings can be colorful, too. Yet, they're often left to fade in the background. We're not telling you to paint your ceiling a bold hue (though that's not a bad idea if you're the brave type). Instead, we'll let you in on a super-underrated way to inject personality into your fifth wall: painted medallions. They're renter-friendly, to boot.

Typically white, a ceiling medallion serves as a fancy focal point around light fixtures with its ornate molding and detailing. Painting it allows it to command even more attention. The best part? These decorative pieces are now made from easy-to-paint and affordable materials, like polyurethane and plastic. This also means they're lightweight and easy to install — hence, you can add a pop of color to your kitchen, living room, bedroom, and even laundry room.

Designs range from simple (such as the Westinghouse Ceiling Medallion) to intricate (like the Rotherham Ceiling Medallion by Ekena Millwork). If your taste leans more modern, something like the Ekena Millwork Square Ceiling Medallion could fit the bill. The Wooden Fretwork Pierced Ceiling Medallion by the same brand also makes a fresh alternative to classic styles. Once you've decided on a design, you can get to work.

Painting a ceiling medallion is pretty simple. That said, it's important to note that spray painting and using a paintbrush don't yield the same results. You could take the easy route with spray paint, but be warned: It gives off an overly perfect (read plastic-like) finish. On the other hand, using a brush might take 10 times longer but looks more expensive.

Now, for the fun part: Choosing a paint color. The whole point of this project is for the ceiling medallion to stand out, so don't be afraid to go bold and contrasting. Pick gold, as YouTube's @aestheticsofolive did in the video above, to add a vintage flair to your space. If you prefer something pared-down but equally chic, bronze is an excellent choice. As for those who enjoy all things whimsy, consider blue for a fun, unexpected twist. Happy colors like lavender, muted green, and pink are also guaranteed to turn any generic house into a one-of-a-kind home.

Maybe even let your imagination run wild by incorporating multiple colors. Let's say you chose a floral medallion — in this case, you could paint the petals pink and the stems green, and choose another color for the background. Regardless, some like their ceiling medallions glossy; many prefer them matte. If you don't like the way your paint came out a bit too shiny, you can always bring down the shine with a flat, clear coat on top.