Statement ceilings: How to nail the ‘fifth wall’ trend in your home

Rather than a total redesign there’s a simple way to give a room a refresh – and it involves the ‘fifth wall’.

For those not clued-up, it refers to decorating your ceiling as well as the four walls of a room. But it doesn’t have to be the same colour.

In fact, experts suggest otherwise. 

‘Incorporating your ceiling into the overall aesthetic of a room adds an additional dimension and layer of visual interest, taking a feature which would have otherwise faded into the background and instead making it a focal point,’ said Cathryn Sanders, the head of creative at eco-friendly paint company Earthborn.

‘The ceiling caters well to all design tastes, so whether you want to make a statement by going intricate and extravagant with rich patterns, textures and decorations, or bring a sense of harmony to a space through a cohesive and complementary design, there is something for everyone with this trend.’

So how do you go about doing this in the best way possible?

Experiment with materials

The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating your ceiling, according to Cathryn.

She said: ‘Materials that would typically be associated with walls and floors, such as wood panelling or tiles, make for a really unique and striking aesthetic and are a clever way to challenge expectations.’

Don’t be afraid to try wallpaper

While it might sound a little wild, there are many creative ways you can use wallpaper on your ceiling, too.

Cathryn added: ‘Wallpaper, artwork and murals have also become increasingly stylish options to decorate your ceiling with and create an air of decadence and sophistication.

‘Faux effect wallpapers are especially great at this as they can recreate the appearance of luxury and high-end materials.’

Compliment or clash with paint

And you can do this by either going for a similar shade to the walls on the ceiling, for more of a gradient effect, or mix things up entirely and pick a whole new colour.

Cathryn said: ‘While there is no right or wrong way to approach painting your ceiling, it can help to take into account how this will work with the overall design scheme of your room.

‘Matching the colour of your ceiling to that of the other four walls can help incorporate this feature seamlessly with the rest of the room and form a more complete design. Alternatively, make a bold statement by opting for contrasting or accent colours. 

‘This will draw the eye upwards and make your ceiling the centrepiece of your living space.’

Feast on some of our favourite designs below: