HGTV's Leanne Ford Reveals The Perfect Paint Color For Your Ceiling

When it comes to painting your interior, don't neglect your ceiling! If you're searching for the perfect shade for your ceiling, HGTV's Leanne Ford has an unexpected design tip. Ford is known for her laid-back style full of natural, muted tones balanced out by tons of texture. Paint can be used to define architectural details throughout your home -– and that includes your ceiling. Because Ford wanted to turn her ceiling into a statement piece, she chose to balance a warm, neutral hue with an unconventional paint finish.

Leanne Ford wrote on her blog, "I took a big risk and had my painters paint the ceiling in my living room this color in a super high gloss sheen... I love how it turned out. The way the paint reflects light throughout the day is dreamy!" This bold choice is a unique way to mirror and redirect light throughout your space. The shade she selected was Sandstone Cliff from Behr. You can purchase a similar shade on Amazon called Plaster by Magnolia Home. Sandy beige and warm grey are trendy ceiling paint colors that stray away from white. Ford also used a high-gloss paint shade for her library ceiling, but for the more intimate space, she chose Thyme Green from PPG paints.

Although Leanne Ford is a big fan of her high-gloss, beige-toned ceilings, this finish isn't the industry standard. One of the major reasons why designers typically opt for a matte or eggshell finish is that the lack of shine tends to hide imperfections. If you need more guidance on these finishes, read about the difference between matte and eggshell paints. 

Another downside to a high-gloss ceiling is that it can distract from the furniture and other items you might want to highlight in your space. However, if you're looking for a way to create the illusion of more natural light in your space, Ford's glossy solution is the way to go.

When it comes to choosing the perfect shade for your ceiling, Ford's example of a light color in the living room is a great starting point. A light, neutral ceiling will make your room feel large and allow other elements in the space to remain the focal point. You can choose to paint your walls in a bold color and keep your ceiling light and bright, or you can paint the entire room in the same organic hue. You have more freedom with tonal variation if you're painting a smaller space. If you have unique details on your ceiling, a more saturated shade can be something to consider. When you're ready to start the painting process, check out our guide on how to easily paint your ceiling.