Making ceilings in the apartment with your own hands. Decorative ceilings (45 photos): plastering, imitation of a stucco ceiling, multi-level and curly structures, original methods. Chandeliers and lamps

Decorating the ceilings in an apartment is not an easy task. The appearance of the premises depends on this. Sloppy ceilings can spoil the impression of even the most luxurious room. When choosing materials and it is necessary to take into account the interior, the number of rooms, the degree of illumination. It is recommended to use different types of finishes for different premises. Thanks to this, each room will become original and unique. The options for the successful design of the ceilings can be seen in the photo. It is advisable to imagine in advance how to arrange the ceiling you want.

Living room ceiling

The ceiling in the living room is decorated in various ways. For apartments in a classic style, traditional white options, decorated with stucco and moldings, are suitable. For rooms in a modern style, you can choose - glossy or matte. They make it possible to hide communications, electrical wiring. The color of the material can be either pastel or bright. During the renovation of the premises, you can change the old canvas for a new one of a different design.

Surfaces decorated with frescoes also look good - they are painted with decorative plaster. Such decor looks sophisticated, rich and beautiful. With the help of drywall, multi-level structures of various shapes are created. An original design option - steps of different shades of the same color with backlight.

Lighting is also important. Spotlights are often used in modern ceiling designs. If their location is carefully thought out, then the quality of lighting will be sufficient even if the use of a chandelier is not provided. Plasterboard structures can be decorated with hidden lighting. The room is even divided into zones, combining several types of finishes and types of lighting fixtures.

It is not recommended to plaster in the living room, paint the surface - it looks too simple. Cassette suspension systems are not suitable for most interiors - they look attractive in kitchens and bathrooms, but not in living rooms.

When developing a design, it is worth considering the age and gender of the child, his interests and hobbies, the type of character. The ceiling can be pasted over with photowall-paper with images of nature, animals, fairy-tale characters, drawings and applications can be applied to the surface. Many children like pictures scattered all over the ceiling. Stretch canvases of calm colors are well suited. Using various colors on the ceiling surface, you can conditionally divide the room into zones for play, relaxation, study.

Nowadays, the kitchen can be used not only for cooking and eating. It is now very fashionable to combine it with the living room (read: ""). Before proceeding with the design of the ceiling, you need to decide how the room will be used.

The following types of finishes are most often used:

painting;

gluing with tiles;

stretch ceiling;

suspended structures.

The painted ceiling looks good in the kitchen - you just need to choose the right shade. This finishing option is ideal for low-rise rooms, but the surface must be leveled, putty, primed before painting, and this takes a lot of time. It is recommended to use water-based paint - such a coating is allowed to be washed, and it will not be difficult to keep the kitchen clean.

Ceiling tiles are inexpensive, but they can only be glued onto a flat surface. But the appearance of such a finish cannot be called exquisite - it looks rather mediocre. The advantages of this material are moisture resistance and ease of installation.

Plasterboard structures are very popular - this material easily takes any shape, making the ceiling look luxurious. And at the same time it is inexpensive. For the kitchen, it is better to choose a moisture-resistant material. The suspended structure not only looks beautiful in itself, but also hides various communications - pipes, ventilation, and so on. The design of suspended ceilings can be absolutely unique.

Stretch ceilings are expensive, but they look great. They are easy to clean, but you should avoid using abrasives, which will scratch the canvas, and it will lose its attractiveness. In general, stretch ceilings are easily damaged by mechanical stress, so you should avoid contact with sharp objects. The combination of tensioning systems with drywall looks interesting. Their main drawback is the lack of the ability to independently carry out the installation for the reason that this work requires special expensive equipment.

There are techniques that allow you to visually enlarge the room:

glossy surfaces reflect the decor of the room, so it seems larger than it actually is; mirror panels have an even greater effect;

longitudinal drawings on walls, curtains, furniture increase the height of the room, but only if they are not too bright and defiant;

long curtains allow you to "stretch" the room vertically, so it is worth choosing models up to the floor, and it is recommended to mount them on the ceiling, and not on the wall, cornices;

elegant furniture with thin legs, openwork chair backs and headboards in small spaces do not take up too much space and make the design lighter.

Currently, there is a huge selection of materials and finishing technologies. Due to this, ceiling design options can be very different. It's easy to get lost in this variety, so you shouldn't ignore the advice of experienced designers. The ceiling can both decorate the room and spoil the whole impression of it. In order to avoid mistakes, you need to carefully consider the interior of the room to the smallest detail. It will facilitate the selection and viewing of photos of successful interiors.

The ceiling is the sky of the apartment, so its decor is very important. Correctly designed structure gives comfort and attractiveness to the room. It is from the ceiling that repairs in the room should begin.

How to prepare the surface for finishing

Before proceeding with the design of the ceiling, it must be prepared. The surface should be cleaned from old finishes: wallpaper, paint, decor.

To carry out the work, you need to prepare:

water;
putty knife;
putty;
soil mixture;
stepladder;
sandpaper;
paint brush.

If there is whitewash, it is not difficult to remove it. It should be moistened with water and held for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the layer of lime and putty with a spatula. Further, the surface is wiped with a wet rag and you can start leveling.

With a painted ceiling, paint should only be removed from areas where it is cracked or peeling. If the paint adheres firmly, then it is enough just to patch up the irregularities and wipe the surface from dust.

To remove wallpaper from the ceiling, you need wallpaper glue. With the help of it, newspapers must be glued to the wallpaper. When the glue is dry, just pull on the edge, and the newspaper, along with the wallpaper, will fall behind. The plaster and glue are removed with a spatula. All cracks are repaired and primed.

Finally, the ceiling needs to be covered with a small layer of putty. After it dries, the surface is sanded and covered with a finishing putty. When dry, sand again and apply a primer. The surface can now be decorated.

Ceiling types

Ceiling decoration pursues not only an aesthetic goal, but also a practical one:

visually lift it;
hide bumps or problem areas.

Styrofoam

Polyfoam is the simplest material for the ceiling, it comes in different colors. The tiles are attached with special glue. The only negative is low moisture resistance, high humidity leads to yellowing.

However, there are more advantages:

withstands temperature drops;
it is easy to wash it;
it is easy to change individual tiles if necessary;
high wear resistance;
has heat and sound insulating properties;
the surface is waterproof;
goes well with drywall.

Stretch ceiling

Today, this is the most popular type of decor. Vinyl film perfectly hides the imperfections of the ceiling, it happens:

matte;
glossy.

The glossy ceiling looks beautiful and festive, reflecting light increases the space. Lovers of a more relaxed decor should choose matte.

In addition to the central chandelier, it is possible to install an additional built-in lighting system. Such designs are resistant to temperature extremes.

For the price, they are much more expensive than foam and cleaning them requires special skills, as it has its own specifics.

Suspended structures

Suspended ceilings look very elegant and aesthetically pleasing.

Rack, cassette - more often used for offices.
Plasterboard - have a lot of possibilities for creating different shapes. With this material, you can make a multi-level structure with different lighting.

In addition, suspended structures have a number of advantages:

able to hide electrical communications;
the ability to install spot lighting.

Adhesive options

Adhesive ceilings made of polyurethane or expanded polystyrene are an alternative to suspended and tension structures. Installation is simple - the plates are glued to the surface, and the seams are covered with putty. The material is not heavy and is easy to cut. It has excellent soundproofing qualities, and the laminated tiles are still moisture resistant.

Such a ceiling is suitable for painting, thus you can achieve the desired color. There is also a minus, it fades in the sun, but when applying acrylic paint in several layers, this can be avoided.

Skirting boards in finishing

Ceiling skirting boards are glued after all work is completed. It is easy to hide defects and joints under them. Styrofoam skirting boards are inexpensive and lightweight, even and embossed. They are of different colors, so they can be matched to the color of the walls. It is possible to paint it yourself, but then you need to buy a baseboard covered with a primer. With abundant wall decoration, it is better to take a simple option.

Ordinary foam plastic is white, they are mainly glued to the joints between the wall and the ceiling, but designers use them when dividing the surface into zones.

Polyurethane - more modern, with their help you can hide all the wires, they are easy to install.

Beams in design

Polyurethane beams (false beams) serve as a decorative element and are similar to stucco moldings made of wood, but the workflow is simpler and faster. With their help, you can visually increase the height of the ceiling or divide it into zones.

Pros of beams:

moisture resistant;
keep in shape;
have cavities in which wires can be hidden;
polyurethane fireproof;
it is possible to glue it yourself.

False beams add coziness and look stylish.

Painted ceiling

Staining is the most common decor option. The process is simple and does not require special finishing; such work is easy to cope with on your own. The surface can be made matte or glossy. To get a relief ceiling, you need texture paint - for jeans, felt, metal.

Since the color range of paints is huge, the possibilities for decorating the ceiling are endless, you can choose it for any interior.

Ceiling decoration

It is not difficult to make an original ceiling decor, there are many ways.

Cloth

A fabric ceiling is a great opportunity to create an individual design solution. This finish looks impressive, but it should be in harmony with the interior.

The method has several advantages:

installation does not require a specific skill;
perfectly hides surface imperfections;
no need for finishing work;
matter will hide all communications;
easy dismantling;
practical, it is difficult to damage it.

There are also disadvantages - odor absorption and poor moisture resistance.

The fabric construction has many options, in the form of: smooth canvas, tent, waves.

Several types of material are used for decoration:

jacquard - looks presentable and gives comfort;
linen - the fabric does not sag over time and is well cleaned;
cotton - gives comfort and tranquility;
velvet - creates luxury in the room;
chiffon - does not stretch and does not attract dust;
silk - looks elegant.

Stucco

Fans of the antique style should resort to stucco molding, today the material is used for this - polyurethane.

Its advantages compared to plaster:

light;
flexible;
easy to install;
moisture resistant;
its whiteness does not fade over time.

When choosing a stucco molding, you should harmoniously fit it into the design of the room. Fasten quickly and easily with glue or liquid nails.

There are the following varieties:

Molding - decorative skirting boards, they are used to decorate walls, ceilings, arches. They have different widths.
Socket - is attached to the places where the chandelier or lamps are installed.
The border is an element of the ornament.

Plasterboard

It is easy to make any ceiling shapes from drywall. This ceiling looks great, great for a bedroom, living room, nursery. Possesses such qualities as: moisture resistance, fire safety, soundproofing and ease of maintenance.

Plasterboard ceilings are different in texture and shade, so it is easy to embody any fantasy with them. They don't need much care. Spot lighting looks beautiful on such a ceiling, with the help of it you can divide the room into zones.

Using stencils

Ceiling decor using a stencil is the easiest way. You can make a stencil yourself:

come up with an image;
draw a drawing on a Whatman paper;
cut it out;
attach to the ceiling;
apply paint with a sponge.

The drawing looks original using different colors. Especially, this is suitable when decorating the ceiling in the nursery, where you can depict fairy-tale characters. For the bathroom - dolphins, waves. In the living room, tree branches, butterflies will look gorgeous.

it is possible to show imagination and make an individual drawing;
suitable for not very smooth surfaces.

Cons - short operating time.

Photo wallpaper

Wallpapering ceilings is a common and common option. Photowall-paper, unlike simple, high quality, bright, has a wide variety of patterns. If you wish, you can order the printing of your individual drawing. The gluing process is not complicated.

Images of the starry sky, space, clouds look beautiful. Wallpaper with 3D graphics looks spectacular in the hall, and cartoon characters in the nursery.

The latest generation wallpapers do not fade as they are laminated. Their service life is long.

Applications

Applique is an original way to decorate the ceiling. This method works especially well for children or kitchens. In addition, with its help it is easy to hide the imperfections of the room. The main plus is that they do not leave traces and are easy to change.

Appliques are sold in the store, or you can make yourself using drywall, plastic or vinyl.

Art Deco

Art Deco is a wonderful mix of colors, today at the peak of popularity. It brings together the Empire style, with its luxury and motives of Africa and India.

Stretch ceilings look great in art deco style. The individual image is applied to the material, which is stretched. This option is great for a nursery if you make a thematic drawing.

When creating a design, two types of art deco are used:

Artistic - computer technologies are used to obtain an image, so the involvement of specialists is required. Well suited for small rooms with low ceilings.
Volumetric - its three-dimensional forms look exquisite.

Decoupage

Using the decoupage technique, they decorate any surfaces. The process is covering the ceiling in whole or in part with applications from magazines, photos, or even gluing small objects (beads, buttons). To serve for a long time, it is worth varnishing it several times. The disadvantage of this method is a long and painstaking process.

The ceiling looks extravagant and exclusive, fits the avant-garde style.

The clouds on the ceiling

The clouds on the ceiling look original and beautiful. The work will take a lot of time, but the result is worth it.

Decorating must start from the center. If there is no strength for the entire ceiling, then you can make a circle, in the form of a window, through which the clouds are visible.

Would need:

paint of different shades (white, blue, gray);
sponge;
brush;
large roller.

The ceiling must be perfectly plastered. With the help of a roller, the surface is painted in a pale blue color. White paint is mixed with warm water 1: 1, and the outlines of the clouds are applied with a sponge. A little undiluted white paint is added to the edges of the clouds for volume, maybe in several layers. Then, you need to cover everything with acrylic glaze.

The method will help create an irresistible interior.

How to decorate the ceiling with your own hands: 5 interesting ideas

If you want to do something individual or less expensive, you can decorate the ceiling yourself:

One of the ways to decorate is artistic painting. Here you can show your talent, it all depends on your imagination and the purpose of the room. In the nursery, use bright colors, in the bedroom - gentle ones, to create a romantic atmosphere.
Bamboo wallpapers - organically fit into a modern style or a room with oriental motives. This material has a variety of textures and colors. Will give the room originality and unity with nature.
Decorating with flowers is an exquisite way that designers often use, there are many options. You can cut a flower out of drywall and attach it to the second level, and with the help of lighting, focus on it. Paper flowers are beautiful and budget-friendly. Decorate with fresh flowers in pots, hanging them from the ceiling.
Decorative plaster is a common finish. It can be: structural - has a flat surface, after applying the mixture, a relief is created with various tools, it can be painted in different colors; textured - in the composition of all kinds of fractions that create a relief, the pattern is obtained in the process of application.
Various objects suspended from the ceiling on a thread look original. It could be cotton wool clouds in the bedroom, or crockery in the kitchen. And in the nursery, you can hang butterflies or inflatable toys.

A variety of ways to decorate the ceiling makes it possible for anyone to show their creative streak. The correct selection of decoration will make your apartment fashionable and unique.

Photo gallery

Video gallery

In this article you will find many interesting ceiling design ideas with photos and descriptions. You will find out why it is not possible to use drywall everywhere, and how stretch ceilings will help you avoid a flood from your neighbors!

Having decided to start a renovation, you will have to choose the color palette of the room, choose the way to decorate the walls, ceiling and floor, find the optimal combination of practicality, aesthetics and, of course, price. If you study the possibilities of modern decoration, you can save the lion's share of the family budget, since everyone is well aware of how unplanned alterations can lead to huge, irrational waste.

Choosing a ceiling design option

Any redecoration begins from the ceiling, and largely depends on its completeness, design and construction. To date, there are a lot of options for finishing the ceiling. They are selected based on the preferences of the owners, the purpose of the premises and, of course, the cost. When the question of saving is acute, classic budget finishes are chosen - painting and whitewashing, or with expanded polystyrene plates. Suspended ceilings are relatively inexpensive, but also more practical and aesthetic. And, of course, when the question of the price of repairs is not so acute, the choice may fall on elite stretch ceilings.

Let's try to describe in detail each type of finish to help you choose the best option for you.

One of the most ancient, laborious and messy methods, requiring a perfectly flat ceiling surface with neat joints of ceiling tiles. Everyone remembers how much whitewashing has to be washed from the floor and furniture after painting or whitewashing the ceiling. In addition, it is quite difficult to achieve a perfect, streak-free, monochromatic surface using chalk mortar or ceiling paint.

On the other hand, painting and whitewashing was and remains the most budgetary repair option. And it must be admitted that the qualitatively reconstructed painted ceiling looks quite neat and aesthetically pleasing. Plus, at your discretion, you can tint white with other shades.

It is less messy and time consuming than whitewashing, but just as inexpensive, especially along with suspension and tension systems. There are a huge variety of design options, from combinations of wallpapers of different patterns to their coloring in any color.

If you use special for the ceiling (ideally, liquid wallpaper), they will retain their original appearance for a long time. It is not recommended to use them in the bathroom or kitchen. In addition, the ceiling is unlikely to smooth out the unevenness of the ceiling, so the surface to be pasted should be as flat as possible.

Pasting with expanded polystyrene plates

This finish is very similar to wallpapering, so we will not dwell on it for a long time. The only thing, unlike wallpaper, polystyrene ceiling tiles are able to resist moisture and smooth out small imperfections in the ceiling surface.

Finishing with plastic panels

A good option for finishing the ceiling is PVC panels. They are durable, strong, soundproof and resistant to moisture and high temperatures. The latter allows them to be used with LED and halogen spotlights. PVC panels perfectly mask irregularities in the ceiling, pipes and wiring. All in all, it is a budget alternative to more expensive trim and drop ceilings.

Plasterboard ceilings

It is a versatile and inexpensive false ceiling that allows you to bring all kinds of design ideas to life, hide any surface defects, unevenness, lighting, electrical wiring, etc.

Perhaps the only drawback of drywall is its fear of moisture, so it is not suitable for a bathroom. Otherwise, drywall is almost an ideal finishing material.

Benefits:

Sheathing of any, even untreated surface;
The ability to hide wiring, pipes, ceiling seams and other irregularities;
Getting an absolutely flat and smooth surface;
Creation of a multilevel ceiling;
Carrying out a built-in lighting system;
Excellent thermal insulation and the ability to maintain a microclimate in the room;
Security;
Heat resistance and incombustibility;
Low cost compared to stretch ceilings.

Unlike previous finishing methods, you will have to tinker with the installation of plasterboard panels - install the frame, mount the plates, carry out the subsequent decorative finishing. Depending on the unevenness of the ceiling and the volume of hidden wires and communications, you can lose 5-10 cm in height. On the other hand, these are minor drawbacks, since as a result you get a beautiful, inexpensive, perfectly flat ceiling of the design you like.

If you are interested in finishing plasterboard ceilings, be sure to read!

In addition to the aforementioned plasterboard ceilings, false ceilings can be made of fiberboard (fiberboard) and MDF. These are durable, safe, moisture-resistant finishing coatings, of a huge color and texture variety.

MDF and fiberboard can imitate wood, tiles, untreated brickwork or natural stone. The surface of the slabs can be easily painted with enamel and oil paints, pasted over with foil, decorated with slats and other elements, thereby creating an imitation of beams. Such a false ceiling will allow you to create an "expensive ceiling effect" and embody many interesting design solutions.

Dropped ceilings

The most popular type of mid-range ceilings. A suspended ceiling is a construction when various finishing materials are fixed to a wooden or metal frame. With its help, you can easily hide all the flaws and irregularities of the ceiling, wiring and communications, you can carry out a climate ventilation system, install built-in lamps.

Distinguish:

Cassette ceilings - durable, durable, moisture resistant and fireproof steel or aluminum plates (cassettes), commonly used in public spaces - restaurants, hotels, offices, medical facilities, etc.
Armstrong-type ceilings are a budget finishing option that is widespread, both for administrative premises and home rooms. These are easy-to-install, inexpensive, aesthetic slabs made of pressed mineral fibers that have thermal insulation, fire resistance and increased light reflectance, which allows you to save a lot on lighting.
Rack ceilings are a very durable, shockproof, moisture resistant and fireproof metal ceiling. It does not need scrupulous care, does not rot, does not accumulate dirt and dust.
Mirrored ceilings - allow you to create rich, spacious and stylish designs with lots of light and depth of space.

The last type of ceilings is elite modern fashionable stretch ceilings. In addition to the fact that this type of decoration looks very expensive and stylish, it is also a fairly practical way to decorate the ceiling.

Stretch ceilings create an absolutely perfect surface, hide the asymmetrical shapes of the room, cover all irregularities and communications;
Stretch ceilings hold a lot of weight, in case the neighbors decide to flood you;
The material does not allow moisture to pass through, which allows it to be used in all rooms without exception.
A very wide variety of designs - from the choice of color or texture (matte, glossy or satin) to photo printing, glitter, jewelry and more.

Unfortunately, the installation of stretch ceilings will not do without cons:

This is the most expensive type of finishing;
They can only be installed by professionals using special equipment (gas cannon);
The canvas is afraid of mechanical damage, sharp objects, it is easily punctured.

Stretch ceilings are not installed in cold rooms without heating or with temperatures below +5, they lose their technological properties.

Choosing a ceiling design depending on the room

Now you know the features of each type of finish and can make a choice.

But remember that the choice of material for finishing the ceiling is highly dependent on the place. You cannot wallpaper the ceiling in the bathroom, and hope that in a month the appearance of the ceiling will remain in its original form. Most likely, yours will go with divorces, if not peeled off at all.

In the living room

In the kitchen

- this is a place with constant vapors, temperature changes and special requirements for hygiene, so the kitchen ceiling must be moisture resistant, fireproof, environmentally friendly and easy to clean. Whitewashing and painting the ceiling in the kitchen, as well as wallpapering are long gone due to their fragility. On such ceilings, stains and stains quickly appear, they crumble, peel off, and due to the large accumulation of steam they become an excellent breeding ground for fungi.

If there is a question of price, then it is better to use laminated polystyrene tiles or relatively inexpensive PVC panels.

For large irregularities, plaster, suspended or stretch ceilings will be the best solutions.

To the bathroom

The requirements are the same as for the kitchen. Due to the large amount of vapors, the risk of accumulation of fungi and pathogenic bacteria, the need for regular cleaning of surfaces, plasterboard ceilings, ceilings covered with wallpaper or finished with chipboard and fiberboard panels without special impregnation are completely unsuitable for the bathroom.

Few can boast of a large bathroom area, so suspended slatted and mirrored ceilings, which will expand the space, add more light and shine, are ideal options.

Plus, they are quite easy to care for, they are perfectly cleaned of stains and plaque.

A more expensive alternative is a stretch ceiling, which is also ideal for a bathroom.

Choosing a ceiling for your home

For Khrushchev

The small height of the ceilings in Khrushchev, unfortunately, is not a myth, but a harsh reality. Their maximum height is 2.40 m or even less if the floor was replaced and screed in the apartment. Naturally, in such conditions it is quite difficult to install a suspended or stretch ceiling, which will steal 5-10 cm from an already small height.But it is still possible if the real surface of the ceiling does not have too large transitions, and the ceiling can be installed with minimal loss of space ...

For a modern new building

Unlike Khrushchev, choosing a ceiling for a new building is much easier. Here, the ceiling height is higher and the quality is newer, so you can choose almost any type of finish. It should only be borne in mind that within 2-3 years, the new building will shrink a little, which may affect the geometry of the premises. Therefore, finishing materials, especially for the ceiling, should be installed with some margin. All types of suspension and tensioning systems are ideal for new buildings.

For a private house

In a private house, the issue of thermal insulation is acute, therefore, the ceiling material should retain heat well in the house. Since the outer covering of the ceiling must also take into account the layer of insulation (from expanded clay, mineral wool or foam), it is best to use frame structures - suspended and suspended ceilings.

For suspended ceilings, a frame is first assembled for attaching an external ceiling (cassettes, drywall, etc.), and then a layer of insulation is laid in the space between the profiles. For stretch ceilings, on the contrary, first create a frame from bars for insulation, lay it, and only then stretch the outer canvas.

The choice of a light source and the correct arrangement of light determines which room you will end up with - small and dark, large but cold or warm and cozy.

Chandeliers and lamps

The classic lighting option is a chandelier in the center of the ceiling. Gives a lot of warm light, perfectly suits almost any kind of interiors, gives the room an exquisite coziness.

Remember the weight of the lamp! It is not safe to mount a heavy chandelier on a light drywall; it is better to mount it to the concrete base of the ceiling.

Unfortunately, this type of lighting is not very suitable for modern suspended and stretch ceilings, therefore, it is gradually being replaced by built-in lighting.

Spotlights

They allow you to create the necessary lighting around the perimeter of the entire ceiling and make a certain pattern out of it, if provided by the designer;
Easy to install fixtures and replace bulbs;
Security. Spotlights do not heat up the ceiling;
Rotary models allow you to change the direction of lighting as needed;
This is a relatively inexpensive way of lighting.

LED strips

LED strips are a very non-standard and non-trivial approach to room lighting. You can not only choose an unusual lighting color, but even create a real light show at home, thanks to dynamic light effects - smoothly changing colors, light music, waves, etc.

Modern trends in the design of ceilings

Light neutral tones make the room more spacious, brighter, higher. If you decide to use patterns or bright colors, accent them in one small place so that the room does not become clumsy.
Multilevel ceilings allow you to perfectly divide the space into zones. For example, a bulging section of the ceiling will perfectly concentrate attention on the bed in the bedroom.
The glossy, mirrored and lacquered surface diffuses light, creating a 3-dimensional effect.
For a low room, a plain light plasterboard ceiling with LED strips along the edges is ideal. This illusion will visually raise the ceiling.
The ceiling, sheathed with wood or wood-like clapboard, in conjunction with light furniture gives the interior naturalness, wealth and comfort.
The glossy finish of the bathroom walls matches perfectly with the matte ceiling.

The eternal question of repair is to do it yourself or to provide work to professionals. In fact, many of the above methods for decorating the ceiling are not particularly difficult and may well be done independently. You can easily whitewash or paint the ceiling yourself, paste over it with wallpaper or expanded polystyrene plates. With a certain skill and the study of video tutorials, you can plant a plasterboard or MDF panel on the frame.

The only type of ceiling, the installation of which is recommended to be entrusted to specialists, is a stretch ceiling. First, because it takes at least a little practice to install it. Secondly, because the canvas is stretched with the help of a special expensive gas cannon, which is not advisable for you to buy for one repair.

We offer several video tutorials on decorating ceilings yourself, and you already decide how much these methods are within your power.

A beautiful ceiling is the dream of anyone who loves and appreciates their home. Making it as difficult as it might seem at first glance, and many will be able to cope with the task with their own hands. There are a lot of ways to make decorative ceilings, but the main ones are only a few.

Let's try to figure out how to make a decorative ceiling with our own hands, and what methods should be used in this case.

Suspended elements - do-it-yourself ceiling decoration

Traditional methods of decorating the ceiling

Ceiling decoration with decorative plaster

This is one of several of the more popular ceiling decoration options.

There are two types of decorative plaster for the ceiling:

Structural - is, as a rule, a ready-to-use white mass, which is subject to further tinting in the required shade.
It is applied to the surface in an even layer, and then with the help of special spatulas, combs and rollers, the necessary relief is formed. Here, naturally, it will be difficult to achieve good results without proper experience.

Textured - unlike the first option, the relief on the surface of this type of plaster is formed independently without the need for subsequent intervention.
The only thing that most likely needs to be done is to give the finished and dried textured surface the desired color by painting it.

In the absence of experience in painting and decorating, when making a decorative ceiling with your own hands, use textured plaster. The relief or drawing of the ceiling surface is selected at the stage of purchasing a plaster mixture with one or another set of fractions.

Advice!
Decorative ceiling finishes will be more environmentally friendly when using water-based plaster. It is recommended to paint the ceiling with dispersion paint.

Imitation of a stucco ceiling

If the interior in the room is made in the Gothic or antique style, you can decorate, not only not with plaster, but with polyurethane - lighter in weight and easy to install.

In addition, unlike gypsum, polyurethane stucco molding is moisture resistant, has the ability to bend, does not turn yellow over time if it is not painted.

Ceiling decoration with stucco elements

The following stucco decorative elements for the ceiling are available for sale:

Moldings - they are used to decorate the joints of the ceiling with the walls. This is perhaps the most popular type of polyurethane stucco molding.
Sockets - are used to decorate the attachment points of chandeliers and other suspended ceiling lamps.
Curbs.
Eaves.
Other ornamental and floral arrangements of various shapes, styles and sizes.

To attach stucco elements made of polyurethane to the ceiling, use liquid nails or special glue. The gluing process itself is quite simple and does not take much time and effort.

Advice!
If decorative finishing of ceilings and walls with polyurethane stucco does not suit you, you can try to make stucco elements yourself using alabaster, which is diluted with water with the addition of a small amount of PVA glue.
The finished mixture is poured into molds with the desired pattern, compacted and left to dry.
After that, it can be lightly sanded and used as intended.

Multilevel and curly ceilings

The so-called decorative suspended ceilings require significantly more time and money for their manufacture, however, like other options, they are quite simple to make with your own hands.

They are created using a metal-profile frame, with which they form the structure of the future suspended ceiling - levels and shape, after which the frame is sheathed with plasterboard, which, in turn, is then subject to putty and finishing, most often by simple staining.

Ceiling decoration using original methods

Now let's look at how to decorate ceilings using other, more original ways:

Applications... Modern applications are most often performed using ready-made vinyl decal stickers. Moreover, they are suitable not only for decorating ceilings, but also for masking cracks or stains, whereby large-scale repairs can be temporarily avoided.

Original ceiling applique made of vinyl stickers

Advice!
Vinyl stickers are good because they can be pasted several times in different places without leaving traces in the previous places of their deployment.

As you can see, there are really enough ways to make with decor, you just need to show creative invention and masterfully implement it. Any business requires a competent step-by-step approach, so take your time, plan every detail, and you will succeed!

A wide selection of materials and technological solutions for finishing the ceiling contribute not only to the implementation of highly artistic ideas, but also to the uncontrolled appearance of publications in interior magazines, demonstrating gaudy ceilings characterized by a large number of multi-level bends, an abundance of spotlights and inappropriate stucco moldings, as well as a vulgar hybrid of surreal colors classic design. All this bad taste, in most cases presented under the brand of famous European designers, our compatriots without looking back strive to reproduce in their apartments, guided by the imposed Soviet stereotypes "the brighter, the better." Often these finishing methods are used inappropriately, since decorating the ceiling with decorative elements is relevant only if it is harmoniously combined with a holistic interior concept, the capabilities of which are directly determined by the individual characteristics and technical characteristics of the room. Due to the existence of unspoken principles according to which repairs are judged by the decoration of the ceiling, we will tell you how to avoid common mistakes in the process of designing decorative ceilings, making the ceiling surface exquisite and unique.

How to avoid common mistakes in the process of decorating ceilings?

To avoid common mistakes made by craftsmen in the process of finishing the ceiling, follow the tips presented in this article. If the ceiling in the room is characterized by a standard height, discard the massive moldings designed to create an interior in a classic style. The idea of \u200b\u200barranging ascetic minimalism, complemented by the "constellations" of spotlights, will also be inappropriate. Even if you tend to non-standard interior trends with the prefix "art", remember that the basis of its concept is the balance and consistency of not only colors, but also minor accessories. In case of neglect of the basic postulates of modern interior solutions, a seemingly winning design concept will turn into a meaningless set of accessories of a widespread European-style renovation.

Traditional and modern ways of finishing ceilings

Several decades ago, when only ordinary decoration methods were used in the process of renovating an apartment, the ceilings were only painted or whitewashed, and the highest manifestation of the owner's ingenuity was the ceiling surface, pasted over with multi-colored wallpaper. Today the ceiling, being the basic platform for creativity, serves as a kind of canvas on which the master can realize his wildest fantasies. Modern methods of ceiling decoration, being the highest manifestation of ingenuity, allow you to change the space of a room beyond recognition.

Over the past few decades, the home craftsman's arsenal has been replenished with a number of innovative solutions that have retained and even increased their popularity. These include stretch ceilings and decorative suspended ceilings, ceilings using ceramic and glass tiles, as well as arranging mirrored ceilings and decorating with various stained-glass windows. All this variety of methods makes it possible to decorate ceilings not only with the help of traditional plaster, but also to operate with coarser textures, while changing the usual configuration of the ceiling in favor of a complex or multi-level structure. Despite the fact that some of the methods listed above have acquired the status of traditional, smooth or sharp stepped lines created in the process of their implementation will add charm and personality to the entire room. To date, relatively new and original ways of decorating the ceiling are as follows:

Decoration of ceilings using stencil painting;
Decorating ceilings with stained-glass windows;
Arrangement of mirrored ceilings;
Ceiling decoration ideas using fabric, leather, cork and even parquet.

Decorative plaster: main varieties

This variant of decorative ceiling coating involves the application of a heterogeneous plaster mixture to the ceiling surface, which includes a variety of fillers: small pebbles, wood fibers, as well as pieces of quartz and mica, giving the mixture "heterogeneity". In view of the plasticity of the plaster, the home craftsman gets the opportunity to create a relief texture, the outlines of which depend on the granules and binders that make up the mixture.

Currently, there are several types of plaster at the disposal of the masters:

Structural plaster, which is a ready-made mass of white color, which, during the tinting process, acquires the desired shade. It is applied evenly on the ceiling surface and, using special rollers, combs and spatulas, form the required relief. Thus, the technique of applying structural plaster requires sufficient professionalism from the master;
Textured plaster, due to the peculiarities of the granules included in its composition, forms a relief without additional intervention. The only thing that needs to be done in the future is to give the desired color to the textured surface.

If you decide to equip the ceiling with decorative plaster, but do not have sufficient experience, the most preferable option for you would be to use textured plaster. In order to obtain a different relief and pattern in the process of its application, it is necessary to combine plaster mixtures with fillers of different fractions.

The advantages of the decorative material are that the plastered plane is characterized by a seamless plane, and all existing defects will be masked by the relief.

Decorative plasterboard ceilings: design rules

Sometimes, for certain reasons, plaster cannot be used as a decorative ceiling covering. We are talking about repairs in two-, three-year-old panel new buildings that are in the “shrinkage” stage. In this case, there is a high risk of cracks appearing on the plastered surface. As a forced alternative to classical decorative plaster, a plasterboard ceiling is used, which is also irreplaceable when it is necessary to hide construction defects in the ceiling, lay electrical communications and ventilation systems, and install spotlights.

If you are still undecided on the material for decorating decorative ceilings, experts recommend giving preference to drywall, which has a number of undeniable advantages:

Using drywall, you can bring to life the wildest design fantasies;
Plasterboard structures retain their original appearance for a long time, remaining clean and tidy;
Drywall is an environmentally friendly material;
By equipping a decorative plasterboard ceiling, you can hide not only all the defects of the ceiling surface, but also existing communications;
An important advantage of drywall is its affordable cost.
If a distinctive feature of your living room is a large area and height, which leaves room for experimentation, you can give it an atmosphere of solemnity by relying on a combination of drywall and bright stretch ceiling inserts, as well as by hanging voluminous openwork lamps.
The use of drywall makes it possible to design multi-level ceiling structures, the steps of which are painted in different shade solutions of the same color, which will become the basis for the fact that a professional designer took part in the repair process.

To make the room visually more spacious, experts recommend performing plasterboard ceilings in light shades: blue, pearl gray, etc. In cases where the living room is large enough, the color scheme of the ceilings should be made mainly in pastel and floral colors. It is recommended to add a splash of bright shades to liven up the colors and cheer up. In view of the fact that the ceiling is the final element of any interior composition, in many cases white is still the best option.

Decorative plasterboard ceilings photo

If you plan to install decorative plasterboard ceilings, departing from the classic color scheme, experts recommend adhering to certain rules for decorating the room, which will avoid disappointment.

The most preferred design option for a room involves painting the ceilings in the same color as the walls, but its intensity should be reduced by half. This is due to the fact that on the ceiling the colors seem subjectively darker than they really are;
If the interior already has a pink color, it is unacceptable to use a light shade of pink when decorating the ceiling;
If you plan to decorate a room in rich tons, the choice of shade must be started from the ceiling;
The use of shades of cold colors contributes to a visual increase in the height of the ceilings, however, if the windows of the room being decorated face the north side, it is recommended to refuse this design technique;
If you prefer colored wallpaper with a pattern to decorate the room, it is not recommended to paint the ceiling in the background color of the wallpaper, as it will take on the appearance of rough unpainted plaster;
Textured ceilings and structures with a complex configuration are recommended to be painted only in white and cream shades.

Imitation of stucco molding - a variant of decorative design of ceilings

The interior of the room, made in the antique or Gothic style, allows decorating the ceilings with polyurethane stucco molding, which, unlike plaster elements, is characterized by ease and simplicity of installation. Decorative ceiling covering, imitating stucco molding, is presented in many varieties, the most popular of which are:

Moldings- elements designed to decorate the joints between the ceiling and walls. Smooth moldings, the decorative design of which does not imply the presence of a relief pattern, can be used as additions to interiors in the classic style, modern and Provence styles, and even the modern high-tech trend;
Sockets are also not far behind in popularity and are used to decorate the attachment points of chandeliers and ceiling lamps. Also, various flower arrangements, cornices and borders are used as elements of the ceiling decor. For fixing polyurethane stucco moldings, liquid nails and special glue are used.

Important! In view of the high cost of polyurethane stucco molding, experts recommend making stucco molding yourself from alabaster, which is diluted with water and PVA glue and poured into molds. After the final hardening of the mixture, the products are removed from the molds and their surface is polished.

The main advantages of polyurethane stucco molding:

High strength and long service life;
Increased moisture resistance;
Light weight of decorative polyurethane products;
Polyurethane elements are easily bent, taking the shape of any curved planes;
Often, polyurethane stucco moldings are painted, however, unpainted elements will not turn yellow over time and will retain their original appearance;
High decorative characteristics and a wide selection of elements.

Alternative methods of decorating ceilings

Ceiling decoration with stained-glass windows: the main varieties

Ceiling stained-glass windows are one of the most common options for status finishing of the ceiling surface. Despite the fact that decorating the ceiling using a composition of multi-colored glasses assembled into a single composition is an expensive pleasure, it does not lose its relevance and is used not only in premium homes.

Varieties of stained-glass ceiling:

Tiffany stained glass, the manufacturing technology of which involves fastening the multi-colored elements of the glass panel using brass, copper or lead tires. The peculiarities of these stained-glass windows necessitate the presence of special skills for their assembly and installation;
Facet stained glass, also made of mating elements, however, unlike the previous version, the chamfer is removed along their entire perimeter, which enhances light refraction, making the interior more original;
Artificial stained glass is a transparent solid glass, on which an artistic painting is applied or a film is glued that imitates a stained-glass image.

Decorative wood ceilings - no less popular option for decorating the ceiling surface, for the implementation of which a wooden lining is required, appropriate within the framework of almost any stylistic interior solution.

Wooden decorative ceilings photo

Ceiling painting: varieties and a brief description of the method

There are several ways to apply an image to the ceiling surface:

Draw a picture with your own hands (possibly if you have artistic talent);
Apply the image using a stencil;
In the process of drawing a picture, use ready-made stamps and rollers;
Make an applique with vinyl sticker stickers.

Let's consider each method in more detail.

Self-drawing

Do-it-yourself drawing is a multi-stage process consisting of surface preparation, drawing a sketch and its subsequent painting.
Surface preparation involves removing old plaster with a trowel and then thoroughly cleaning the ceiling with a brush. After completing these measures, an acrylic primer is applied to the surface using a roller, which makes it possible to identify all existing defects. The detected defects are eliminated with the help of plaster and, after waiting for the finish to dry, the surface is polished. After that, a layer of finishing putty and an acrylic primer are applied, serving as the basis for the drawing;
Drawing a pattern on a large surface above the head is fraught with a number of difficulties and is not always possible even for a professional. In view of this, the key to successful work is the creation of comfortable working conditions, implying the installation and fixation of a step-ladder or a special pedestal that allows you to work lying down and is widespread among professionals;

Having prepared all the necessary materials and creating comfortable working conditions, they begin to draw a sketch. This can be done in several ways:

The first method involves the use of life-size tracing paper. A drawing is applied to it, all the lines of which are hatched with black charcoal, after which the drawing, imprinted on tracing paper, is applied to the ceiling surface with the shaded side. All lines of the drawing are carefully pushed through with a pencil;
The second method involves the use of an overhead protector that projects the pattern directly onto the ceiling surface. All that is required of the artist is to trace the resulting image along the contour.

The next stage is painting over the picture. Experienced craftsmen recommend starting painting a drawing with large details, after mixing the required shade on the palette. This stage is completed by drawing and detailing small elements.

Important!Despite the fact that acrylic paints are characterized by resistance to moisture and ultraviolet radiation, they need additional protection. To surely extend the service life of acrylic paints, the image is covered with acrylic varnish, which gives the image additional brightness and expressiveness.

Stencil painting of the ceiling surface

The stencils do not need to be made by yourself, it is enough to purchase them in a specialized store. Due to the fact that the material from which the templates are made quickly fails, it is necessary to buy several identical copies. The technology of working with stencils is not difficult, since an adhesive composition is applied to them on one side, which allows the template to be glued to the ceiling surface. Together with template sketches, sponges and stencil brushes are purchased, with the help of which paint is applied to the surface of the ceiling. Due to the fact that the brush is characterized by short and stiff bristles, the paint is applied not by strokes, but by the method of facing, which is necessary in order to prevent the paint from flowing behind the stencil. This condition ensures the clarity of the picture.

The paint is applied from the center to the edge. In order to see the result of the work, the template is carefully peeled off and the color intensity is checked. If necessary, make adjustments. After the final drawing of the stencil, they remove it and proceed to the design of another section.

Application - an affordable option for decorating the ceiling

If you still have not been able to decide on the method of decorating the ceiling surface, decorative stickers on the ceiling, which are used to create an applique, will be the most preferable option for you. By giving them preference, you can easily mask all existing defects of the ceiling surface without resorting to large-scale repairs. The advantage of decorative stickers on the ceiling, the photos of which you can see below, is the ability to easily remove and stick them to another place without any marks on the surface to be decorated.

You can use ready-made vinyl decal stickers or self-made decals from paper, cardboard, foam, and even pieces of drywall as ceiling stickers.