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Soooo should you have a bathroom-painted ceiling? The short answer—yes, absolutely! A painted ceiling can completely transform the look and feel of your bathroom in the best way.
But let’s be honest—you probably already knew that. After all, you searched for this because the idea has been on your mind, and you just need that little extra reassurance.
Well, consider this your sign to go for it! I recently painted my bathroom ceiling a gorgeous dark green color, which was the best decision I made for that space. It adds so much character to my small bathroom and makes the space feel intentional and elevated.
But if you’re still on the fence, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons so you can be confident in your decision.
The Pros and Cons of a Bathroom Painted Ceiling
Pros:
Painting Your Ceilings makes the space feel intentional.
The key to taking your space from just a plain bathroom to a designer-level space is the details! It’s the little things, like the paint on your ceiling, that will make your bathroom feel like it has completely transformed.
A bathroom ceiling that is painted can instantly make your bathroom feel more thoughtfully designed and curated (because it was!).
Bathroom Ceiling Paint Can create the illusion of higher ceilings.
A painted ceiling can actually make your bathroom feel bigger and more spacious!
Your eye naturally is drawn upward when you have paint on your ceiling which makes your space feel less cramped. This little technique is often used in smaller bathrooms so that you can maximize every single inch of space that you can.
And that is exactly what I did in our most recent bathroom makeover project and the results were truly GORGEOUS!
RELATED POST: 5 Major Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Dark & Moody Bathroom
Having Color Instantly Creates a Cozier Vibe Compared to A White Ceiling.
Normally ceilings are painted a flat white color which can sometimes leave your space feeling stark and cold. But if you decide to throw a little bit of color into the mix, it will instantly add that warmth and coziness to your bathroom that you have been wanting!
However, you don’t even need to add a super bold color to create a cozy vibe. Even just having a softer tone will add more color to your space and make your bathroom feel more inviting!
It’s a Great Way to Introduce a Fun Color in a Small Space.
Bathrooms can sometimes be a tricky place to experiment with color, especially if you are dealing with a very small bathroom. That’s where a ceiling can be a wonderful opportunity to introduce some color without completely overwhelming your space!
Whether you go for a pretty pastel, a bold fun color, or a moody shade of green like I did, the ceiling is a place you can play with color! You can make it as subtle or impactful as you want!
RELATED POST: The Best Dark Green Paint Colors
Bathroom Ceiling Paint Helps To hide Small imperfections.
Every ceiling has some kind of imperfections. That’s where paint can be a game-changer! A fresh coat of paint can help hide any small cracks, stains, or small little flaws.
And if you are leaning towards a dark color, like navy, dark green, or charcoal, paint can add a ton of depth to the room. This can help to mask any small issues without drawing attention to them.
So if you have been eyeing those flaws & aren’t sure how to fix them, a fresh coat of paint could be your perfect solution!
Cons:
Once You Pick a Color, It Could Make Future Design Decisions More Difficult.
Just like any design decision, once you commit to a paint color, you might feel a bit locked in. While this isn’t actually true, it can sometimes feel harder to change when the paint is on your ceiling.
That’s why I’m adding this to the con list— if you ever want to change your paint color in the future, you might find it a little trickier.
HOWEVER, the good news is that it is just paint! You can always paint over your ceiling again with white for a more traditional look or a fresh new color to change up the look. It’s still just paint, you can easily refresh your space whenever your heart wants!
It may just take a little bit more time and some extra patience.
Ceiling Painting can be tricky (gravity works against you)

I am not going to lie, painting a bathroom ceiling can definitely be trickier than painting normal walls because gravity is literally working against you, haha.
Paint tends to drip, so it’s super important to go slow and not overload your roller with a ton of paint. Using high-quality thick paint also helps a ton!
You also have to be prepared for a bit of extra effort. This isn’t a quick project, but the results will be SO worth it. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you get started on a project like this:
- You will be looking up for long periods of time: Your head and neck will be angled upward for extended periods, which might lead to tension. Be sure to take lots of breaks when needed! And consider investing in a good ladder so that you don’t need to be straining your neck even more.
- Make sure you have the right type of paint and tools before you start: You’ll want to use good quality paint and have the right tools. The LAST thing you want is drips all over your bathroom floor. My advice is to use a roller with a long nap. This helps to distribute the paint evenly and quickly (we love that!). Also, invest in a good-quality brush and blue tape for edging. You will thank yourself later. And drop cloths are an absolute must to protect your bathroom floor and counters!
And if you do drop any paint on your floors, don’t panic! I have an entire post all about the best ways to get paint off of laminite floors because I once spilled a half-gallon of paint on my floors 🤦♀️ and managed to get it all off!
RELATED POST: 4 Tried and True Ways to Get Paint Off Laminate Floor
As you can see, there are a TON more pros than there are cons when it comes to painting your bathroom ceiling! It is one of the BEST bathroom ceiling ideas out there!
It has the power to completely transform your space, and add depth, drama, and a designer-level feel that can take your bathroom to the next level.
Common Questions About Painting A Bathroom Ceiling

Sconces | Wallpaper | Pole wrap trim | Paint – Ripe Olive – SW 6209
So, now that you’re completely convinced that painting your ceiling is the way to go, you might still have a few lingering questions. Like what color should you choose? or what finish is best for ceilings? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Let’s dive into some of the most common questions to help you feel confident and excited about this design choice.
Should You go BOLD? What color should You go with?
Regardless of what color you choose, you can’t go wrong! But if you are unsure what vibes you want, here is a quick rundown on how each choice will impact your ceiling.
- Moody and Dark: This will add a bit of drama and sophistication to your space.
- Classic White: A white ceiling will always keep things fresh and airy.
- Matching the Walls: This is also known as color drenching and is SUPER popular right now. It will create a trendy and seamless look.
- Contrasting Colors: Choosing contrasting colors is a fun way to make a bold statement.
- Soft Pastels or Warm Neutrals: A subtle way to add interest without completely overwhelming your space.
When it comes to paint finishes and which one is the best for painting ceilings, you basically have three options – matte, satin, or gloss.
- Matte or Flat Finish – This finish is great for hiding imperfections and minimizing any glare. If you are using a darker color, this finish option could be a good choice for you!
- Satin or Eggshell – My absolute favorite! I use this finish in almost all of my projects because it has a good sheen and a soft look. It is more durable and moisture-resistant than matte. It is always my go-to choice!
- Gloss or High Gloss – My advice is to try to avoid high-gloss finish paints because they tend to reflect light and show every little imperfection. Plus, the process of painting and applying can be trickier to apply evenly.
What’s The Best Paint To Use So It Doesn’t Drip?
When you go to buy your paint, there are typically options for thicker, high-quality paint at every hardware/paint store. My advice is to get the higher quality paint even if it’s more expensive so that you don’t run into dripping problems in the future.
Just remember that cheap paint is more likely to drip.
I have also heard that doing a paint + primer combo could make the paint thicker, and help with better coverage. This could reduce the need to do multiple coats! That’s something to keep in mind.
Will It Make Your Bathroom Feel Small?
I know I mentioned this earlier but painting your ceiling can actually make your bathroom feel bigger because it draws your eye upward.
This is a design hack that designers have been using for YEARS. You should definitely consider doing it yourself especially if you want to maximize a small bathroom.
This Is Your Sign To Paint Your Ceiling!

At the end of the day, it’s just paint!
It’s one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to make a HUGE impact in your space.
Whether you want to go dark and moody or keep it soft and subtle, take this as your sign to paint your bathroom ceiling!
Grab your paintbrush, put on a good playlist or podcast (that’s what I did!), and go for it. And when you’re done, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner! 🙂
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