The ‘Fifth Wall’ Is Back: Here’s How To Decorate Your Ceiling

By Martha Davies

7 hours ago

Statement ceilings are having a moment


Last year, interior design experts predicted that intricate murals would dominate our spaces in 2025 – and specifically our ceilings. Fast forward a few months and, no matter how daring it sounds, it seems like statement ceilings really are growing in popularity. Here’s the rundown…

What Is A Statement Ceiling?

Just like a feature wall, a statement ceiling uses bold patterns, shades or textures to create a focal point within a room – in this case, drawing the eye upwards. This can be achieved by bringing the wallpaper used on the walls up onto your ceiling, or creating a dramatic contrast using colours, shapes and mouldings.

‘Whether patterned, textured, or richly coloured, a statement ceiling adds a dramatic, unexpected layer to any space,’ explain the experts at luxury wallpaper brand Divine Savages. ‘Statement ceilings are taking centre stage in interior design, transforming the “fifth wall” into a canvas for bold creativity.’

So, where do you start? ‘Wallpaper is the ultimate tool to achieve this look, offering endless possibilities – from intricate florals to geometric prints,’ the team advises.

Kitchen with pale pink appliances, green cabinets, and green and white Art Deco style wallpaper on the ceiling.

Divine Savages (c) @arianna_danielson

If you’re working with a smaller space, decorating the ceiling might feel like a risky move, as you don’t want to make the room feel dark, busy or cramped. However, since a statement ceiling automatically draws the eye upwards, it can be a brilliant way to create the illusion of a taller, more spacious room.

‘Introducing bold colours and patterns into a functional space transforms it instantly,’ the Diving Savages team confirms. ‘This approach not only ensures a dramatic impact but also alters the room’s entire ambience.’

Statement ceilings, then, are all about the unexpected – and if you’re partial to particularly daring design choices, there’s no better place to experiment with the ‘fifth wall’ than in the kitchen.

‘Ceiling wallpaper can transform a kitchen from clinical & functional into a more homely and personal space,’ the team explains. ‘It can also provide the starting point for your colour scheme: pick out a core colour from the print and complement it by painting cabinets in the same shade.  The closer the colour match, the stronger the impact.’

Bedroom with pink and yellow floral wallpaper on the walls and ceiling

Divine Savages (c) @always_sunday_boltholes

When it comes to bedrooms, meanwhile, botanical prints can create a cosy, cottagecore-style look. ‘Introducing floral prints with warm undertones will create a bold statement and an uplifting environment,’ says the team. ‘By taking the wallpaper all over the ceiling, the room feels truly immersed in nature – but it also seems so much bigger.’  

Statement Ceiling Inspiration

 

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