Jutta Curatolo: Give Your Ceiling a Makeover

You would never leave an orange shag carpet on the floor of the new home you’re remodeling, so why allow an old popcorn ceiling to stay? It might not be the first thing you think of, but if you aren’t looking up when you’re designing your home you’re missing out on a big opportunity to add style and beauty to your space. Sometimes you have to work with that what the architect left you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add your own touches! There’s a lot that can be done to cover up or improve an ugly ceiling so that your home looks great from head to toe.

 

Pressed Tin

So your house wasn’t outfitted with decorative tin ceiling tiles a century ago? No problem! You can fake this classic vintage look by buying the tiles new and applying them over what already exists. To make them look authentic and aged, try painting them white. It’ll brighten the room and make it look like a historical treasure. If you don’t want to commit to real tin tiles, you can approximate the look with paintable textured wallpaper for much less expense!

 

Exposed Wooden Beams

Exposed wooden beams are another timeless look that usually means your house had a long history before it came to you. There’s no reason to leave it up to luck, however. You can pick up reclaimed wood beams and install them after the fact. The best part is that cheaper, beat up used beams will actually add authenticity and character. If you’re looking for a budget option, you can actually imitate the effect with faux shiplap or cheap boards and a good coat of wood stain.

 

Repaint with a Twist

Don’t be afraid to paint the ceiling! It’s unorthodox, but it might just be the unique twist that sets your home apart and gives it that wow-factor. It’s usually a good idea to stay with light colors to avoid darkening the room, but rules are made to be broken. If you have light airy walls and lots of natural light, you may just get away with something a little more daring. You can mimic the look of old fashioned decorative molding by painting colored lines where the trim would go. It won’t fool anyone, but the modern nod to a classic design feature is clever and fun, while still giving it that edge of sophistication. Stencils can help you achieve more intricate designs, or even paint grout lines to create mock tiles.

 

Hardwood Ceiling

For an unusual conversation piece, break the mold with wooden tongue-and-groove planks. It creates a rustic, farmhouse look with an edge of creativity and class. Keep it simple and cheap by installing the boards right on top of your existing ceiling — this one is perfect for do it yourself installation!