Paint ceiling white or the color of the walls?

Question

what do you normally do?

J Scott · Answer

Ceiling white for me as well.  Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls will make the room look smaller, not to mention that many low end buyers will think the contrast makes the house look newer (same reason I use a darker neutral on the walls instead of a shade of white).

Mike V. · Answer

I too buy the 2 gal Behr white ceiling paint at HD.  Its cheap, easy to find, and is durable.  Painting walls and ceilings all one color really gives a cheap appearance.

Matt Kearney · Answer

I use a ceiling white paint on all our properties, usually Behr Ceiling White in the purple bucket from Home Depot.

I think a nice bright white ceiling makes the room look bigger.

Account Closed · Answer

I use Columbia brand's antique white (it's not yellowish) with white trim. Walls and ceilings are all the same color. Mostly because it costs me less to paint in one color, but I really don't see any difference in the response to the house.

I prefer the way that anique white reflects light from the ceiling over a white ceiling. I would not paint walls and ceilings the same color with any color darker than antique white.

It makes more difference that the paint is fresh and clean than it does what color the ceiling is.

Bill Gulley · Answer

Hi, I don't recall ever seeing a rental property with anything but a white ceiling! For sales too, I agree with everyone. It's not until you get to larger rooms that ceiling and room colors are appealing. I had a painter who did many upscale homes tell me that a room needs to be at least 20% as wide as it is long and have about 300 sq. ft, that's about a 15X20 room or larger and it also depends on how much natural light you have and what shade/color you're doing. The further you get from white the larger the room and more natural light you'll need. I had a tenant ask be if the could paint a unit, with a 10X12 bedroom, I said that depends, what color do you want? He said, black, I said absolutely not! LOL, Happy Easter! Bill

Kevin Suksi · Answer

We had some white KILZ left over on one of ours and used it as ceiling paint - looks the same as the actual ceiling paints out there.

Brian Haskins · Answer

Most people prefer them white.

Brian Haskins

Kendra T. · Answer

Painting the ceiling the same color as your walls is a no-no.  That will make the room look as if it's closing in on you and also not pleasing to the eyes.

Jay B. · Answer

I agree with everyone else on this one - paint it white. It makes it appear larger, brighter (as it will reflect light better), and provides a nice contrast

Frank Adams · Answer

I'm with Matt. I've always used "ceiling white" for ceilings, always scraped off "popcorn" if it was in place before doing anything else.  In my experience a ceiling paint job will outlast the paint on the walls. Assuming there are no smokers and they keep the place reasonably clean.

Navajo white on the walls is always good. I used to just buy the premixed 5 gallon cans and when it got down to about 1-2 gallons buy another one and mix them together.

Paint ceiling white or the color of the walls?

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