Should You Put Wallpaper on the Ceiling? Here’s What Designers Recommend

We often focus on the four walls around us when it comes to design. However, nowadays, people are looking beyond their immediate surroundings—just a couple of feet up—to make their space shine.

The ceiling of the home—often referred to as the fifth wall—is designers’ latest fixation. The concept is simple yet stunning: take wallpaper and plaster it all over. In an instant, the playful patterns and intricate textures can elevate your space, giving it more dimension and nuance. For many, this may feel like a daunting step—here, we spoke with designers and learned exactly how to pull it off.

Why It's Trending

After years of minimalism, people are craving spaces that feel expressive—and wallpapering the ceiling is scratching that itch. "[It] instantly makes a room feel finished, thoughtful, and a little more fabulous," says Linda Hayslett, principal designer and founder of LH Designs. "And let’s be honest, people are tired of safe choices."

The move away from all-white and greige is making room for more personality-filled spaces. "There’s been an increased demand for maximalist patterns, botanically inspired patterns, as well as darker, moodier, and color-saturated spaces," says Emily LaMarque, principal and founder of Emily LaMarque Design Studio.

The trend is an especially ideal choice for those who want to ease into bold designs. "Sometimes, a pattern that works with the room's scheme would be overwhelming if applied to all the walls," says Madelaine Mayer, founder and principal designer of ADROIT Architecture & Interior Design. "Applying it only to the ceiling is less intense."

There are also many practical benefits that come with wallpapering a ceiling. "It softens harsh lighting, helps balance tall walls, and can make a space feel more intimate or expansive, depending on the pattern," Hayslett says.

How to Choose the Right Wallpaper

There are several key factors to consider when selecting a wallpaper color or pattern for your ceiling:

• Define the mood: Soft tones and organic patterns lend a more cocooned, cozy feel. "[Meanwhile] bold graphics turn dining rooms or powder rooms into statement spaces," says Hayslett.
• Consider the ceiling height: If you have lower ceilings, then vertical or subtle patterns can make a room feel taller. "Darker or richly detailed designs can bring coziness to taller rooms," Hayslett adds.
• Tie it in: You can always take cues from the furnishings. "Pull colors or tones from something already in the room—the drapery, a rug, a headboard—so the whole space feels connected and curated," Hayslett says. You can also look to the space's architecture for inspiration. "If your room has crown molding, beams, or interesting transitions, then choose a wallpaper that plays along, instead of fighting the lines," she adds.
• Test an area: Ceilings can exaggerate patterns, so Hayslett recommends taping up large samples first. "Look at them for a day, morning, afternoon, and night," she says. "What feels soft in your hand can look like a full-blown art installation when it’s overhead."
• Scale up: If you aren't able to test out a strip, go big. "When in doubt, ceiling patterns should be larger, not smaller, as they're viewed differently than on a wall," Mayer says.
• Accommodate for lighting: A pattern or color can look completely different in natural light versus low light. "Darker ceilings can feel dramatic and luxurious, but need either great lighting or great confidence," Hayslett says. "Light, reflective papers brighten a dim space. And metallics? They’re basically mood lighting built right in."
• Take care with cracks: Textured wallpaper that's non-reflective works best for irregular ceilings. "Reflective papers show every mistake behind the paper, whereas thicker papers are more forgiving," LaMarque says.

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How to Do It

While furnishings and walls can easily be DIY-ed, designers agree that wallpapering a ceiling should be left to professionals. "Dealing with a high ladder, craning your neck, and trying to align the pattern while working out bubbles—the potential savings are not worth the effort or risk," Mayer says.

Hayslett especially recommends a professional installation for traditional glued wallpaper, complex patterns, or large rooms. "A great installer can match patterns seamlessly, handle awkward angles, and ensure the wallpaper stays in place long-term," she says.

Decorating Tips

It isn't enough to simply wallpaper your ceiling and call it a day. A well-designed room should have thoughtfully styled décor to match. Start by considering the role of the wallpaper. "Big personality overhead? Keep the furniture chic and low drama," Hayslett says. "More of a whisper pattern? Bring that energy into textiles and accessories."

Alternatively, you can tie in elements of the wallpaper to the rest of the room. "If the ceiling paper introduces metallic shine and reflectivity, pick elements in the furnishings and décor that are also reflective, and help bounce light around the room," LaMarque says. "If you opt for a textured paper on the ceiling, select furnishings and décor that convey the feeling that the paper evokes."

You'll also want to vary the scale and pattern of the paper with other pieces in the room. "For instance, a large-scale geometric on the ceiling might mix well with a smaller-scale print on some pillows," LaMarque says.

Pendants or chandeliers make a world of difference, too, if you're looking to spotlight your ceiling. "Choose lighting that interacts beautifully with the pattern," Hayslett says. "A good fixture against a wallpapered ceiling is like jewelry on a great outfit—the right piece makes the whole look sing."