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30 Ceiling Wallpaper Ideas That Will Elevate Any Interior

By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 03/11/24
ceiling wallpaper ideas

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Adding ceiling wallpaper is a confident decor move that can add color, pattern, texture, and excitement to virtually any room. Treating the ceiling like a fifth wall and lavishing it with decorative features such as paint, murals, or moldings has a long history in architecture and interior design. But adding statement ceiling wallpaper to modern rooms feels both fresh and unexpected in a time when covering it with drywall and white paint is the norm. 

Whether you are looking to add some excitement and a focal point to the living room, bedroom, nursery, bathroom, kitchen, or any other space in the house, these stylish ceiling wallpaper ideas will inspire you to elevate your decor.

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    Boho-Style Wallpaper

    boho-style ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Erin Williamson Design

    In this 1950s Texas lake house primary bedroom from Erin Williamson Design, the slant of the ceilings and shape of the architecture is accentuated with patterned wallpaper that adds texture and works well with the wood paneling, natural stone accents, and boho design touches.

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  • 02 of 30

    Dark Floral

    dark floral wallpaper ceiling ideas

    Design by Judith Balis Interiors / Photo by Allison Corona

    Dreamy and dramatic dark floral wallpaper in a giant rose pattern is the focal point and crowning touch in this sophisticated teen room from Judith Balis Interiors. Bold, confident touches like a crystal chandelier, jet black wall paint, and a blingy gallery wall complete the unapologetically glam look.

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    Removable Wallpaper

    removable ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Mel Bean Interiors / Photo by Kacey Gilpin

    This nursery from Mel Bean Interiors has subtle patterned wallpaper on the ceiling that adds interest while maintaining the calm feel of the room. Black painted crown molding helps to define the wallpaper from the pale gray painted walls.

    Try Removable Wallpaper

    If you like the idea of ceiling wallpaper but fear the commitment, try installing removable wallpaper or wall decals that you can change out more easily and affordably than traditional wallpaper.

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  • 04 of 30

    Gold Star Wallpaper

    starry night ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Curated Nest Interiors / Photo by Jacob Snavely

    Midnight blue wallpaper scattered with gold stars adds color by day and starry night shimmer after dark in this kids bedroom designed by Curated Nest Interiors.

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    Bold Striped Wallpaper

    striped ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Jules Interiors

    This formal dining room from Jules Interiors has bold black-and-white-striped ceilings that set the tone for the rest of the room and complement the wall of nostalgic retro black-and-white photographs.

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    Butterfly Wallpaper

    whimsical ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Hunter Carson Design / Photo by Lauren Pressey

    This bright Manhattan Beach, CA bedroom from Hunter Carson Design gets a lift with a riot of colorful butterflies on the ceiling wallpaper designed by Christian Lacroix as well as a complementary window shade to filter the light.

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    Swirly Ceiling Wallpaper

    fun ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls

    Adding ceiling wallpaper in a fun color or playful pattern is one way to signal that your stylish decor might look like a million bucks but doesn't take itself too seriously. This neutral-toned living room from Leanne Ford Interiors has an eclectic mix of sculptural furnishings, a custom fireplace accent wall, and swirly blue-and-white patterned wallpaper on the ceiling that adds a spirited twist.

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  • 08 of 30

    Polka Dot Wallpaper

    polka dot ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Martha O'Hara Interiors / Spacecrafting Photography

    This modern farmhouse bunk room from Martha O’Hara Interiors has a soft neutral palette of pale wood, white, and gray, with a dark wallpapered ceiling that adds contrast.

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  • 09 of 30

    Animal Print Wallpaper

    animal print ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Christian Torres

    This teen room from Chango & Co. is energized with fun pale blue zebra-striped wallpaper that covers the entire surface of the room, from the angled ceiling to the floor boards.

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  • 10 of 30

    Marbled Wallpaper

    marbled ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Think Chic Interiors

    This pink and gray baby room from Think Chic Interiors uses blocks of solid color on the walls, windows, and flooring, making the pink marbled ceiling wallpaper stand out even more.

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    Trompe L'Oeil Wallpaper

    trompe l'oeil ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Rebel Walls

    So maybe your living room doesn't have an ornately fashioned stucco ceiling like the Parisian apartment of your dreams. Go ahead and cheat the architecture with faux ceiling details using wallpaper like this design from Rebel Walls that will add a sense of timeless elegance and history to your modern space.

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  • 12 of 30

    Ikat Wallpaper

    ikat ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Dekay and Tate Interiors / Photo by K Hayden Rafferty

    Wallpaper with a neutral-toned ikat print adds pattern without competing with the bright pink and turquoise furnishings and decor of this colorful living room from Dekay and Tate Interiors.

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    Block Print Wallpaper

    block print ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by The Residency Bureau / Photo by Brent Henry Martin

    Block print Kasai wallpaper by Thibault adds color and a geometric circular pattern with a bohemian-style flair in this Seattle bedroom designed by The Residency Bureau.

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  • 14 of 30

    Whimsical Wallpaper

    whimsical ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Mel Bean Interiors / Photo by Kacey Gilpin

    The dry bar in this home design from Mel Bean Interiors gets some TLC with a tile backsplash, hot pink painted cabinetry, and whimsical wallpaper on the ceiling.

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    Neutral Striped Wallpaper

    neutral striped ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio

    In this taupe and white baby room from Sissy + Marley Interior Design, a bold striped ceiling adds just the right amount of playfulness and whimsy, bringing the high ceilings down a smidgen to make the room feel cozier.

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    Starry Night Wallpaper

    star ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Think Chic Interiors

    In this boys' room from Think Chic Interiors, starry night wallpaper on the dropped ceiling of the built-in bed niche adds definition in the large open room and a touch of childlike wonder to the space.

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    Framed Wallpaper

    living room ceiling wallpaper ideas

    JLA Designs

    In this gray-and-white living room from JLA Designs, ceiling moldings painted in crisp white look like something of a frame that highlights the graphic patterned ceiling wallpaper in shades of gray and silver.

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  • 18 of 30

    Cloud Wallpaper

    nursery ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Maison Ellie / Photo by Heidi Lau

    The slanted ceiling of this serene nursery from Maison Ellie
    is covered in a soft printed cloudy sky wallpaper in shades of pale blue and white that creates a calming neutral space with a dreamy quality.

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  • 19 of 30

    Star Ceiling Wallpaper

    baby room ceiling wallpaper ideas

    JLA Designs

    This sweet baby room from JLA Designs has whimsical ceiling wallpaper decorated with subtle pale-toned stars that complements the soft pink and creamy whites of the serene space.

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    Multicolored Wallpaper

    multicolored ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Casa Watkins Living

    Bold floral ceiling wallpaper adds mood-boosting color to this basement home office from Casa Watkins Living,

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    Textured Gray Wallpaper

    textured ceiling wallpaper ideas

    JLA Designs

    This tonal bathroom from JLA Designs is dressed in a mix of textural patterns in shades of gray for a calming, cohesive look, from the flooring to the wall treatment to the ceiling wallpaper.

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    Small Dark Floral

    dark floral ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Forbes + Masters

    This Nashville music room from Forbes + Masters has '70s vibes and dark floral sound-absorbing wallpaper on the ceilings.

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    Blue and White Wallpaper

    blue-and-white ceiling wallpaper ideas

    JLA Designs

    Subtle ceiling wallpaper with blue watercolor dots complements this colorful playroom from JLA Designs without overshadowing the royal blue couch, colorful artwork and throw pillows, and striped zigzag rug on the floor.

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    Colorful Dot Wallpaper

    playroom ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Jacob Snavely

    Whimsical multi-colored dotted wallpaper climbs the walls and covers the ceiling of this cheerful and spacious playroom designed by Chango & Co.

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    Gilded Ceiling Wallpaper

    gilded ceiling wallpaper ideas

    JLA Designs

    This home office from JLA Designs adds luminosity and a touch of glamour with metallic finishes like the gilded wallpaper on the ceiling, and silver geometric wallpaper lining the back of the open built-in shelving wall.

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    Grasscloth Wallpaper

    grasscloth ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Martha O'Hara Interiors / Photo by Piston Design

    Dark gray grasscloth ceiling wallpaper adds texture to this Austin, TX formal dining room from Martha O’Hara Interiors.

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    Faux Mural Wallpaper

    faux mural ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Rebel Walls

    Add a bit of old world grandeur to your cookie cutter living room with this faux painted ceiling wallpaper from Rebel Walls that is worthy of a European palace.

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    Sunburst Wallpaper

    sunbrust ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Jenifer McNeil Baker

    This little home office nook from Maestri Studio has touches of gold on the walls and sunburst patterned ceiling wallpaper that add contrast with the dark wood finishes and give the small space a lift.

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    Graphic Black and White

    graphic ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly

    This Pittsburgh cottage bathroom from Leanne Ford Interiors has mint green wall tiles that bring the nostalgia, while striking black-and-white patterned wallpaper on the upper walls and ceiling adds contrast and a graphic touch that makes it feel current.

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    Subtle Patterned Wallpaper

    subtle ceiling wallpaper ideas

    Design by Rise Interiors / Styled by Hayley Garrison Phillips / Photo by Matthew Dandy Photography

    Wallpaper doesn't have to be bold to make a statement. In this Washington D.C. kitchen from Rise Interiors, pale neutral Deconstructed Stripe wallpaper designed by Miles Redd for Schumacher adds an extremely subtle pattern and extra layer of interest to the fresh white space that isn't obvious at first glance.

Is it a good idea to wallpaper a ceiling? 

Whether or not to wallpaper your ceiling is simply a matter of taste. The ceiling is considered the fifth wall when it comes to interior design, and throughout history has been used as a blank canvas to bring color and to tell visual stories in country mansions, European castles, and religious spaces like the Sistine Chapel.

Today interior designers personalize modern homes with ceiling wallpaper to surprise and delight. Sound-absorbing wallpaper can also be used on ceilings to help dampen echoes and add stylish soundproofing to music rooms and playrooms.

What type of wallpaper is best for the ceiling? 

The best type of wallpaper for your ceiling depends on the room in question and your style preferences. Keep it subtle with a light geometric pattern. Add texture with grasscloth or shine with gilded wallpaper. Choose bold stripes, romantic florals, nature-inspired botanicals, or other motifs that speak to you and complement your space.

Why do people wallpaper the ceiling?

Ceiling wallpaper can help make a room with extra tall ceilings feel more grounded, and a small room feel more cozy. In the bedroom, it gives kids of all ages something to look at when they are staring at the ceiling. Ceiling wallpaper can bring a finishing touch to living rooms and dining rooms, and define and add personality to spaces like foyers.

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