Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

The 9 Best Ceiling Paint Colors (Beyond White), According to Designers

The 9 Best Ceiling Paint Colors (Beyond White), According to Designers

Interior designers turn to these tried-and-true shades of blue, green, and gray for cozy rooms.

For many, ceiling colors are an afterthought. In fact, many have only lived with various shades of matte white. While crisp, bright shades will always have their place, today’s top designers are creating uniquely soothing interiors by showcasing soft shades of color up above.

For traditionalists, sticking with white can be a safe bet. But if you’re looking to capture a designer look or try something new, consider a soothing shade from nature for your ceilings. “I love opting for soft shades of blue on a ceiling for a wow factor,” says Nicole Gibbons, interior designer and founder of Claire Paint. “It gives the feeling of a fresh, open sky and brings calm to a space.”

Whether neutral, serene, or slightly statement-making, these expert-recommended ceiling paint colors can elevate your rooms and foster feelings of peace and tranquility.

                                                

Stone Harbor, Benjamin Moore


Bria Hammel of Bria Hammel Interiors chose Benjamin Moore’s Stone Harbor in an elegant satin finish for the ceiling of a recent project. “We knew we wanted to paint the shiplap ceiling of this sunroom a contrasting color, but wanted to make sure it wasn’t too loud or overwhelming,” she said. “This beautiful, warm gray was the perfect choice. We love that it draws your eye up but still makes the room feel light and airy.”



Gateway Gray, Sherwin-Williams


For those with ceiling beams and architectural details, Sherwin-Williams’s earthy shade Gateway Gray is a lovely choice. Designer Alison Giese of Alison Giese Interiors turned to this ceiling color for a home with beautiful views of nature. "To further drive the drama in the space, we painted the ceiling Pure White and chose to paint the trim and beams Gateway Gray,” Giese says. “The result is an airy yet layered and inviting space for our clients to enjoy their morning cups of coffee.”



Silvery Blue, Benjamin Moore


Designer Laura Hodges of Laura Hodges Studio recommends Silvery Blue by Benjamin Moore. “I chose this silvery blue color to closely match the wall color and continue the calming palette up onto the ceiling,” she says. “Painting the ceiling a similar color to the wall allows the room to feel bigger, rather than stopping your eye at the ceiling plane. This soft, powdery blue also resembles the color of the sky and complements the lush surrounding landscape.”



Studio Green, Farrow and Ball


For Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design, Farrow & Ball’s rich forest shade Studio Green is an ideal choice. “For this client’s master bedroom, we painted the walls and ceiling Studio Green and painted all of the trim cream,” she says. “The room is very large so we were originally tasked with making the vast space feel cozy. Painting the ceiling a darker color such as this deep green allowed the room to feel more warm and sumptuous.”



Pale Smoke, Benjamin Moore


For cathedral ceilings, designer Linda Banks of Banks Design Associates recommends Pale Smoke by Benjamin Moore.“This color is what I call a ‘chameleon color.’ I have a few in my repertoire that change with light and the weather, and this is a classic example,” she says. “I find that when it is painted on a ceiling it ‘dematerializes’ the ceiling and makes it seem like it’s floating away. The atmospheric character of Pale Smoke is like no other.”



Mount Etna, Sherwin-Williams


Shannon Crain of Shannon Crain Design used Mount Etna by Sherwin-Williams on the walls and ceiling of this glamorous living room. “I wanted it to feel bold, but cozy at the same time and Sherwin-Williams' Mount Etna felt like the right color for movie and game nights with family,” she says. “I carried the color onto the ceiling because I wanted the room to feel like stepping into a special place for togetherness. The sort of space that wraps you up and invites you to get comfortable.”



Finnie Gray, Benjamin Moore


Alessia Zanchi Loffredo of Chicago’s reDesign Home used Benjamin Moore’s Finnie Gray on the ceiling of this monochromatic study. She says the room’s uniform palette creates “a calming, soothing, and elegant vibe” ideal for working from home. This sandy shade works beautifully with other colors and textures, allowing lighting and decorative elements to shine.“It allows the pairing of many additional color tones such as shades of green, black, brown, gray, and ivory as well as steel, wood, brass, bone, and vintage finishes,” Loffredo says.



Skylight, Farrow and Ball


Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design used Farrow & Ball’s Skylight on the ceiling in this modern living space. “We originally wanted to wallpaper the ceiling, but because of budgeting, we went the affordable and cheerful route of paint,” she says. “I selected a soft blue-gray to subtly draw attention to the fabulous Tom Dixon pendants. This also helped tone down how glam they are, as well as pulling blue from the antelope rug.”



Onyx, Benjamin Moore


Emma Kemper of Emma Beryl Interiors chose a stormy gray shade called Onyx for her client’s bedroom ceiling. “Whenever I use a dark paint color or wallpaper in a room, I think it’s extremely important to carry the dark tones onto the ceiling to avoid a high-contrast white ceiling that looks forgotten about,” Beryl says. “I love that Onyx by Benjamin Moore has depth and dimension that makes your ceiling appear larger and higher than it is.”

Expert Advice for Choosing a Ceiling Color


To achieve a consistent look that pairs well with your current wall color, Loffredo recommends using the same wall color for the ceiling but changing the finish to flat.“If all the trimwork is Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster, then I continue the Alabaster on the ceiling, but I change the sheen,” she says. “If a room doesn’t feature trimwork such as crown molding, then I’d continue the color of the wall onto the ceiling and change the sheen." This creates relaxing consistency within the space while also adding polish.

Ultimately, giving your ceiling color consideration throughout the design process can go a long way, no matter the color you choose. “Painting your ceiling can really elevate your space,” Gibbons says. “If you’re going for white, it can take your space from feeling drab to looking fresh and bright. And if you opt for a color on your ceiling, it is a fantastic way to draw the eye up while also bringing a sense of drama and high design to your room.” For a reliably soothing ceiling shade, Gibbons recommends Headspace as well as the traditional crisp-white Snow Day.

As with all painting projects, test your samples in the room you plan to paint. Checking in on them throughout the day can help avoid mistakes as natural and artificial light can change the appearance of color once it’s on the wall.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
UAE Offers Free ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions to Citizens
Lebanon Initiates Plan to Disarm Palestinian Factions
Iran and U.S. Make Limited Progress in Nuclear Talks
The Daily Debate: The Fall of the Dollar — Strategic Reset or Economic Self-Destruction?
Trump Administration's Tariff Policies and Dollar Strategy Spark Global Economic Debate
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Startup for $6.5 Billion to Build a Revolutionary “Third Core Device”
Turkey Weighs Citizens in Public as Erdoğan Launches National Slimming Campaign
Saudi-Spanish Business Forum Commences in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia and Spain Sign MoU to Boost SME Sectors
UK Suspends Trade Talks with Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
Iran and U.S. Set for Fifth Round of Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finland Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Scholar Arrested in Crackdown Over Pakistan Conflict Commentary
Israel Eases Gaza Blockade Amid Internal Dispute Over Military Strategy
President Biden’s announcement of advanced prostate cancer sparked public sympathy—but behind closed doors, Democrats are in panic
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
Michael Jordan to Serve as Analyst for NBA Games
×