20 Eye-Catching Living Room Ceiling Ideas

If you think your living room ceiling lacks impact, consider a revamp. There are numerous ways to transform it, like painting, using wallpaper, adding molding, or choosing another approach. Here are 20 of our favorite living room ceiling ideas that cater to different aesthetics and include bold colors and stunning millwork.
01 of 20: Add Some Parisian Flair With Ornate Molding


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If you desire a classic Parisian look but have a plain white ceiling, add ornate touches with creativity. Many retailers sell architectural moldings similar to those in traditional historic apartments, making it easy to achieve this look wherever you live.


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02 of 20: Repurpose Bold Wallpaper From a Past Project


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Wallpaper can definitely be used on the ceiling, known as a room’s ‘fifth wall.’ Choose a pattern that suits your aesthetic, whether it’s a bold floral or something more subdued. If you have extra wallpaper from a past project, it’s a great budget-friendly option.


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03 of 20: Introduce a Classic Coffered Ceiling to Your Space


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Coffered ceilings never go out of style and add visual interest. The color combination, layout, and shape are up to you.


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04 of 20: Embrace Wooden Beams, or DIY Your Own


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Wooden beams give a classic cottage feel and cozy up a space. You can fake this look with DIY skills and wood stain.


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05 of 20: Don’t Let a Sloped Ceiling Stump You


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Even if your living room ceiling is an unusual shape, you can still customize it. This sloped ceiling is covered in vibrant palm leaf wallpaper that continues down the wall, giving the space a lively and youthful energy.


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06 of 20: Think Outside the Box With a Vibrant Hue


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Many people are painting their ceilings these days. You can think outside the box and choose a color different from your walls. Use this as an opportunity to experiment with a shade you like but want to use sparingly, like a bright yellow.


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07 of 20: Pick a Wallpaper That Tricks the Eye


Design: @jenmarie_interiors / Photo: Aimée Mazzenga


This wallpaper is full of personality and resembles a painted mural at first glance. Don’t be shy about adding life to the ceiling; it’s a great chance to take design risks.


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08 of 20: Upgrade Your Light Fixture and Add a Medallion


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In addition to wallpapering your ceiling, consider replacing the original light fixture with one that reflects your personal style.
You might even want to consider adding a medallion to finish off the look. Small touches like these can instantly elevate a room.


Stick With White Paint for an Airy Look. In this light-filled living room, wooden beams and skylights are a dreamy combination. To ensure maximal airiness and light flow, stick with a light neutral paint color on the ceiling.


Combine Planks and Beams for the Best of Both Worlds. Together, planks and beams form a beautiful ceiling design in this living room. The white hue is a safe choice, but this setup would look lovely no matter the paint color. This living room’s look is complete with a neutral light fixture.


Take Lighting Style Into Account. Skylights dazzle in this welcoming living room. If you’re opting for sculptural light fixtures like these, you may want to keep your ceiling paint color neutral. This allows your pendants to steal the show.


Go Geometric With Your Millwork. This geometric millwork results in a show stopping ceiling moment and truly helps to complete this living room. Don’t underestimate the power the ceiling has in making any space feel a bit more luxe.


Design a One-of-a-Kind Look With Mixed Materials. This grandmillennial style living room has natural grasscloth clad with treillage on both the walls and the ceiling. Thoughtful details—such as the playful valances and oversized chandelier—help to tie together the various colors present.


Keep the Walls White and the Ceiling Bright. We often see rooms with colorful walls and white ceilings, but why not switch things up a bit and do the opposite? Here, a sky blue ceiling paired with simple white walls looks just as nice.


Play to Your Room’s Wooden Beams. Rooms with wood paneled ceilings can be styled a number of ways. Sometimes they are rustic while at other times, in this instance for example, they appear more contemporary and eclectic. Consider painting over the natural wood for even more oomph.


Keep Ceiling Height in Mind When Choosing Your Hue. A sloped ceiling with wooden beams cozies up this cheerful living room. Keep in mind that painting the ceiling a dark color may result in the space appearing smaller.


Go for a Lacquered Look. This living room features a gorgeous lacquered blue ceiling that perfectly complements the area rug in the space. It’s a great idea to look at your decor and accessories for color inspiration.


Make It Custom. Picture frame molding on the walls and geometric millwork on the ceiling add a storied, bespoke touch to this space, which serves as a combined living room and home office.
19 of 20: Try This Sleek Approach. Design by House of Ponce. Photo by Kelley Kish. The fluted wall in this living room extends up to the ceiling, adding extra flair to the sleek, modern space.


20 of 20: Upgrade Your Rental. @prettyinthepines on Instagram. This apartment living room is another example of how much decorative molding can transform a cookie cutter ceiling. If you’re living in an older home or apartment, embrace and play into the original details. Or, consider adding molding of your own.


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