Here's Why You Should Consider Painting Your Ceiling Red

Ceilings top every interior, but they're usually at the bottom of most folks' to-do list. You could live in a place for a lifetime and do little more than look up for cobwebs. But, like those glowing stars familiar from childhood bedtimes, a little attention to the ceiling can make a big impact. Painting is always a decently affordable, and (always important) easily changed way to upgrade your space. It's also among the easiest DIY ceiling designs to elevate your home. And if you're going to do it at all, you may as well paint with a shade that's really going to move the dial.

Red is just the kind of bold color your home needs to really shine. That said, it can also be as subdued as a dainty, dusty rose. The myriad degrees between something as light as a coral and as deep as oxblood allow for a coat as subtle or as dramatic as you wish. Your desired effect, existing design and décor, and the type of room you wish to refresh will all inform the rouge you choose.

Even if you're aiming to make a big statement, you'll still want your red ceiling to exist in balance with its surroundings. So, while a dark, bold red like burgundy would be beautiful in a spacious dining room arranged with distinguished mahogany furniture, it would be awkward in a tiny, white powder room. Square footage counts for a lot when introducing splashy colors since most people aren't trying to make their spaces seem smaller. Light colors typically create the illusion of larger areas, while darker colors tighten things up. Ergo, if you're dealing with a petite enclosure, stick to pale blush hues and scale up as surface area expands.

You can also introduce a swath of red if you have a more open, but distinct space. Some homes, for example, are built without an entryway, but you can create one with little more than a highlighted ceiling and some trim. A brick red wash over your doorway outlined with a thin strip of molding would create a warm welcome every time you turn the key. You can also mimic how designers pick the perfect shade of paint for a sure bet before you even crack open a can.