Need color to paint ceiling in old house that has all Cedar walls ?

Sandy
by Sandy

We are redecorating family home built in 1949. Entire home has all Cedar wood walls throughout. It is beautiful but a little dark from years of aging. I would like to brighten up rooms with painting the ceiling a white of some kind but am concerned that this might not be the best choice. We are changing bedroom bed sets to lighter colors to help. Appreciate your feed back.

Living Rm. Has large window but that is extent of natural light.

Bedroom, all Cedar walls. Beds also Cedar, with oak floors. Everything is WOOD. Will be changing bedding.

  8 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Sep 23, 2018

    Add recessed lighting around the perimeter of the rooms. Use painted furniture, put down lightly colored area rugs. Paint ceiling Benjamin Moore linen white. Adding the lighting is the key.

    • Sandy Sandy on Sep 24, 2018

      Home is ALL solid Cedar wood. It has been in family for 70 years. We have no plans to do away with the beautiful wood walls or floors. Have light colored rugs on floors now. Yes canned lites would help but too expensive to cut install. Cannot replace ceiling tiles if they mess up. No longer made. But thanks for the suggestions!

  • Karen | Decor Hint Karen | Decor Hint on Sep 23, 2018

    Have you considered painting the cedar wood walls white? It would really brighten things up but you would still have the texture and look of the boards.

  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 23, 2018

    I have cedar shiplap siding in my 40s house, but mine is a deep burnt orange color. I painted my ceilings a bright satin arctic white which reflects more light and really brightened up the house.

    • See 1 previous
    • Sharon Sharon on Sep 24, 2018

      I also added more lighting to the living room, and light curtains help also.

  • Claudia Groenevelt Claudia Groenevelt on Sep 24, 2018

    Please do not paint the cedar walls. They are beautiful!

  • Sandy Sandy on Sep 24, 2018

    Thanks. I never had any intention of doing that. It’s so beautiful the way it is.

  • Cristine Schwartzberg Cristine Schwartzberg on Sep 24, 2018

    Beautiful room! Painting the ceilings white is a great idea. You may also wish to wash the walls with a wood soap to get rid of some of the layers of aging.


  • Painting the ceiling white or light color will help- I agree! You could also use art work/pictures that is lighter in color on the walls...and a mirror would also help reflect the light colored art work. It will help the space feel lighter and more open. And adding lamps on side tables or floor lamps where appropriate, would help too!

  • Sally Alter Sally Alter on Oct 13, 2018

    I see the beds are wood too. How about painting them white or light beige? And instead of red bedspreads, maybe a lighter color would brighten up the room.