We often focus on the four walls, choosing paint or wallpaper, but neglect the fifth wall above us.
Yet, the bedroom ceiling dramatically impacts the room’s look and feel.
Painting it dark can create coziness, while adding texture or detail brings elegance.
Ready to explore the possibilities? Check out these 20 bedroom ceiling ideas for inspiration.
Crisp White Cathedral
Douglas Friedman
In a colorful Sonoma Valley lake house, designer Ken Fulk chose to add a hand-painted mural wall to the master bedroom, which is balanced by a pure white, cathedral-style ceiling.
Add Character With a Shiplap Ceiling
:strip_icc():format(webp)/shiplap-bedroom-ceiling-496512b802a945599ba46fb2a8087153.jpg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 3")
The shiplap trend isn’t pulling out of harbor any time soon.
To elevate a space without flipping the entire room, install a shiplap ceiling.
You can do it yourself, and the shiplap panelling adds a ton more character and warmth to the room than drywall.
Add Interest With Exposed Wood Beams
:strip_icc():format(webp)/wood-beams-ceiling-2cd93d291c1548979ffa183c8f37bbd7.jpg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 4")
Punctuate a creamy and light palette with dark exposed beam for a curated lodge moment.
Mix natural textures by pairing dark wood with layers of woven light fixtures and thick corded pillows in shades of tan and oatmeal.
Adobe-Style Ceiling
Douglas Friedman
In the Marfa, Texas, home of arts pioneer Virginia Lebermann, handcrafted white walls, exposed wooden ceiling beams, and oiled mesquite floors envelop the space in an elevated coziness.
Spiral Motif
Simon Upton
A Miami penthouse designed by Jean-Louis Deniot blends a European elegance with oceanside charisma, as is evident in the whimsical master bedroom.
A modest palette is elevated with a hand-painted, spiral motif mural, designed to make the ceilings appear higher.
Get Creative With Statement-Making Curtains
:strip_icc():format(webp)/curtains-bedroom-ceiling-84646f56fb764afb9997ba41e3d34ab1.jpg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 7")
Curtains aren’t just for windows.
If you live in a studio apartment, sectioning off your bed with drapes that hang from the ceiling will help you take control over the layout.
Thick velvet curtains will add texture, and they’ll also block out sound if your partner loves the morning more than you.
Layer Your Ceiling Lights
:strip_icc():format(webp)/layered-bedroom-ceiling-b04f1704e042473aa84bf5c5b67bf840.jpg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 8")
Not one for colorful bedrooms?
There are still bedroom ceiling ideas that will compliment your home—like this layered light look, which mixes thin with bold and straight lines with swooping curves for a clean and romantic impact.
Don’t be afraid to mix hanging pendants with a statement chandelier.
Keep it all in the family with shades made out of natural fibers to create a subtly dramatic canopy over the bed.
Cover Your Ceiling In Wallpaper
:strip_icc():format(webp)/wallpaper-bedroom-ceiling-8a245f9c8ff44f849702667c6f6d8b7a.jpg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 9")
Don’t get pigeonholed by the name.
It’ll take a bit longer to install, but wallpaper works just as wonderfully on a ceiling as it does a wall.
Fake a fresco with an artful print or play off the base of the room by choosing the same pattern in an alternating color.
Paint a Purple Ceiling
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/dekayandtate2-22b41c24b8bc452e9656d5e82dbd1975.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 10")
A fresh coat of lilac paint instantly brightens up this bedroom, complementing the artwork and carpet.
The ceiling is surrounded by classic crown molding for added depth.
Plus, a paper mache-style pendant hangs from a brass knob to emit a pretty glow over the space.
Outline Your Ceiling With Color
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/dekayandtate-cd4d8bdaf7584312aee38b11afd11570.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 11")
Small touches can make a big difference.
Since the canopy of this bed extends so high, not much detail is needed on the ceiling.
The designer opted for a light shade of pink to highlight the crown molding.
A modern pendant in a darker pink hue complements the colorway and adds visual interest.
Add a Tent to Your Ceiling
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/emhenderson1-b009417a53a5471786de58c7525eabf8.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 12")
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
When it comes to kids’ rooms, there’s plenty of opportunity to get creative.
Here, the designer hung a tent-like canopy from the ceiling so that the linen drapes neatly over the bed.
It offers a perfect frame for the artwork—and makes it feel like a sleepover fort every night.
Try Fishbone Wood Beams
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/emhenderson2-677eecf692f1444896e5e4d9841cadd4.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 13")
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
When it comes to wood beams, there are lots of options to choose from.
This fishbone structure works great for vaulted ceilings, adding drama and a farmhouse-style touch.
The beams also help highlight the height of the space.
Frame Your Ceiling
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/erinwilliamson-60a771eb46334218b61cef00b6e026be.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 14")
Not looking to make cosmetic changes to your actual ceiling?
You can always give it a facelift with a decorative wall.
Offering a halfway cutout, this feature beautifully frames the bed with its symmetrical scalloped pattern.
It also helps the bedroom feel more intimate and cozy.
Paint it Green
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/erinwilliamson2-9d624957c9ff40d78b780136d57d3689.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 15")
Another way to make a bedroom feel more cozy is by painting the ceiling a darker hue.
In this space, the designer opted for a dark forest green to match with the earthy and cool tones throughout.
No trim is added to maintain the midcentury modern look of clean, sleek lines.
Add Texture
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/forbes-masters-a6a520f5f45949fba919d3a364ab2cb5.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 16")
In a luxe bedroom like this, a textured ceiling can help soften the space.
With a velvety finish and two-toned iridescent look, the ceiling helps break up the more refined features of the room while still elevating the overall design.
A grand, glassy pendant is also put on display to amp up the glamor.
Add Crown Molding to Your Tray Ceiling
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/forbes-masters-2-40357f1fcd144cf0a32aeeb7bf486e08.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 17")
This tray ceiling is wallpapered to match the surrounding walls, allowing for a truly immersive bedroom.
It’s framed by crown molding to provide an extra illusion of height, while a strip of white on the sides prevents the B&W pattern from feeling overwhelming.
Make a Subtle Tray Ceiling
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/grayspaceinteriors-00e470a7c9ea4649899df242569b0245.jpeg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 18")
A more subtle tray ceiling, this one is kept in a creamy white canvas to create a minimal bedroom.
The walls extend up to the canopy height, and then angle up, before creating the tray feature at the top.
It provides the perfect spot to center a stunning chandelier, which looks extra lofty thanks to the ceiling design.
Try an Angular Ceiling
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/hannahtylerdesigns1.v1-446bc5f35cfb40bfb2f58b6b54f661f1.jpg "20 Striking Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas 19")
Sometimes, you have to work with what you’ve got.
This cabin embraces its awkward architecture by allowing the ceiling to remain angular and tall.
Rich spotted wood envelops the bedroom from head to toe, while windows help break up the warmth by pouring in natural light.
Note that the top window touches the ceiling, allowing for more airiness.