11 Bathroom Ceiling Ideas to Catch Your Eye

11 Bathroom Ceiling Ideas to Catch Your Eye

by — Andra DelMonico
Published on August 2, 2021
Updated on March 20, 2025

When was the last time you looked up while in the bathroom? If you’re like most people, you probably can’t think of a time when you purposefully looked up. It’s just that white space above you that you forget about.

While there isn’t anything wrong with this, you’re missing out on the potential for a unique and bold design statement.

Modern bathroom ceiling ideas say goodbye to the old and tired popcorn ceiling and embrace techniques that you typically find in other rooms of the home. Give your bathroom a refresh by changing up the ceiling in your bathroom.

1. Install Beadboard Ceiling Panels

Using a beadboard ceiling will look right at home in your farmhouse or country chic bathroom. These wood strips create panels that lock together for a continuous covering of planks.

The wooden ceiling can be left raw, but this might leave the wood vulnerable. Whitewashing it or painting it crisp white will brighten up the bathroom and help it to feel bigger.

Bright bathroom with a white beadboard ceiling, black vanity, gold fixtures, and a clean, modern aesthetic for a timeless and elegant look. — Source: @bohorosa via Instagram

Bright bathroom with a vaulted white beadboard ceiling, gold accents, and a freestanding metallic tub, creating an elegant and airy retreat. — Source: @kirstenmaltasinteriors via Instagram

Bathroom with a natural wood ceiling and patterned tile walls, creating a warm contrast between rustic textures and modern design. — Source: @thislittlelogdream via Instagram

While you could make your beadboard from scratch, it will be a lot of work. Instead, buy premade panels that you can easily glue or staple to the ceiling.

2. Showcase Exposed Wooden Beams

Wooden beams are typically a feature that you see in the living room, dining room, or kitchen. You might also see them in the bedroom. The one place you don’t expect to see them is in the bathroom.

If you have beams in other rooms in your home, then don’t be afraid to have them in the bathroom. You can add faux beams that don’t require you to mess with the ceiling joists.

Rustic bathroom with exposed wooden beams, concrete accents, and warm lighting, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere with natural textures. — Source: @casadosdamas via Instagram

Rustic bathroom with exposed wooden beams, skylights, and soft neutral tones, creating a bright and cozy retreat with natural charm. — Source: @home.at.the.barn via Instagram

Spacious bathroom with dark wooden beams, a freestanding tub, and earthy tones, creating a warm and inviting rustic retreat. — Source: @keeping_interiors via Instagram

This is perfect for a farmhouse bathroom look. Use a similar wood throughout the rest of the bathroom. You could mirror the wood on the ceiling by adding a wood floor. Mount wood shelving on the walls. Add a wood countertop to the vanity.

3. Elevate Style with Cove or Tray Ceilings

If you already have a tall ceiling, then you have plenty of overhead space to work with. Add an elegant and sophisticated bathroom design by building a tray effect.

You can do this to an existing ceiling by building a box or ledge around the outside of the room. This creates a lowered ceiling around the outside of the ceiling and the original taller ceiling in the middle.

Elegant bathroom with a tray ceiling, soft cove lighting, rich blue walls, and gold accents, creating a luxurious and stylish retreat. — Source: @jacksondesignandremodeling via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a tray ceiling, cove lighting, bold black and white accents, and geometric flooring, creating a sleek and stylish space. — Source: @raydjay via Instagram

Luxurious bathroom with a marble walk-in shower, hexagonal tile ceiling, and recessed lighting, creating a sleek and spa-like atmosphere. — Source: @13thirtydesigns via Instagram

This is also your chance to add a custom lighting effect to the ceiling in your bathroom. Add LED strip lighting to the edge of the tray so that it illuminates the elevated tray portion of the ceiling. You can change the color of the light to create a relaxing mood in the bathroom.

4. Transform with Painted Ceilings

Paint isn’t just for the walls anymore. Modern bathroom ceilings embrace color, and the easiest way to accomplish that is with paint. What’s nice about this trend is that it works for both large and small bathrooms.

You can paint the entire ceiling or paint a design. Don’t be afraid to use a darker color that would normally be too dark for the space. This will add sophisticated drama.

Charming bathroom with a bold blue ceiling, white subway tiles, and a crystal chandelier, creating a striking contrast with a vintage touch. — Source: @homestagerka via Instagram

Bright bathroom with a soft pink ceiling, glossy white subway tiles, and black accents, creating a playful yet modern contrast with greenery. — Source: @jam__potts via Instagram

Nautical-themed bathroom with a starry sky ceiling, navy and white striped tiles, and anchor decor, creating a playful and coastal-inspired space. — Source: @kupatilce via Instagram

Bright bathroom with a bold striped ceiling in white and gray, adding a playful and modern touch to the classic white subway tile walls. — Source: @lovebluehouse via Instagram

Elegant bathroom with a dark painted ceiling, vintage white pedestal sink, ornate mirror, and moody lighting, creating a dramatic and sophisticated look. — Source: @peonycottagecotswolds via Instagram

Luxurious bathroom with a soft pink ceiling, marble walls, gold accents, and mirrored cabinetry, creating a glamorous and elegant ambiance. — Source: @the_idfactory via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a bold blue ceiling, black and white decor, and geometric flooring, creating a striking contrast in a compact space. — Source: @theinteriorfox via Instagram

Elegant bathroom with a bold gold ceiling, intricate geometric wallpaper, and abstract artwork, creating a luxurious and stylish atmosphere. — Source: @thirteen79design via Instagram

Choose your wall paint carefully when painting your ceiling. It’s best to either leave them white or use the same color as the ceiling. White paint helps to keep the space feeling bright. Using the same color creates the illusion that the ceiling is taller than it really is.

5. Embrace Elegance with Dark Ceiling

If you’re not afraid of a painted ceiling, then consider painting your ceiling dark blue or black. The darker ceiling creates a stark contrast to white walls. Paint the entire ceiling a single color, including the shower ceiling.

Stylish bathroom with a dark sloped ceiling, geometric flooring, and warm lighting, creating a cozy and modern contrast with white subway tiles. — Source: @grampian.renovation via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a bold black ceiling, white walls, and geometric accents, creating a sleek contrast with built-in towel storage and natural light. — Source: @jen_mctaylor via Instagram

Moody bathroom with a dark ceiling and walls, vintage decor, and soft lighting, creating a dramatic yet cozy atmosphere with elegant details. — Source: @moving.to.the.darkside via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a bold black ceiling, white subway tiles, and black fixtures, creating a sleek monochrome contrast with an industrial touch. — Source: @surreyonthemove via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a deep green ceiling, white subway tiles, and soft pink walls, creating a stylish contrast with boho-inspired decor elements. — Source: @the_creative_saint via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a dark vaulted ceiling, large windows, white subway tiles, and wood accents, creating a sleek and airy spa-like retreat. — Source: @whd.design.buro via Instagram

This is popular in small bathroom ideas because it creates the illusion of a taller and larger bathroom. The darker color can create a void effect that gives the illusion of the ceiling being taller than it really is.

The darker color is a bold design choice that you typically find in upscale homes. Doing it in yours can increase the perceived value of your home.

6. Brighten Up with Illuminated Ceilings

Adding more bathroom ceiling lights helps to make the space more functional and brighter. Add light fixtures around the vanity mirror. This makes it easier to get ready in the morning.

Adding ceiling lights in the shower creates a statement lighting effect and makes the shower area safer.

Minimalist bathroom with a floating ceiling, hidden LED lighting, and wood-textured walls, creating a sleek and futuristic ambiance. — Source: @miatiletoronto via Instagram

Luxurious bathroom with an intricate backlit ceiling design, creating a dramatic and artistic focal point that enhances the modern ambiance. — Source: @shrujanti_art via Instagram

Stylish bathroom with a sleek ceiling, recessed lighting, geometric flooring, and bold accents, creating a playful yet modern aesthetic. — Source: @katzinteriors via Instagram

When adding more lights to your bathroom, try to create layers. You should have ambient light that illuminates the entire bathroom, task lighting that’s focused on the vanity, and accent lighting that is decorative. The accent lighting is perfect for leaving on when you have guests.

Read also: 45 Bathroom Lighting Ideas

7. Indulge in Luxury with Gold-Infused Designs

When looking for luxury bathroom ideas, look for the unexpected. Luxury is about creating an experience and a sense of opulence through the use of materials and design.

You could create a custom lighting effect with LED strip lighting. Or you could have LED or fiber optic cables that create a starry night effect. Instead of having the standard recessed lighting, you can hang an elegant chandelier.

Elegant powder room with a gold tray ceiling, ornate detailing, and crystal lighting, creating a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere. — Source: @arlenemurals via Instagram

Adding arches is another way you can create a sense of luxury. Curved lines are harder to build, so they are more expensive, which gives your bathroom an upscale feel. If you have a larger budget, consider adding a skylight to your bathroom. This adds natural light.

8. Enhance with Elegant Molding

Adding crown molding to the rooms in your home can give it an upscale and elegant feel. Elevate your master bath by installing crown molding at the top of the walls in your bathroom.

You can also add millwork to the ceiling. This works well if you have pendant lights, a chandelier, or a ceiling fan in the ceiling.

Elegant bathroom with an ornate white ceiling, vintage chandelier, and stained glass window, creating a classic and refined look. — Source: @carol.k.wang via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a white coffered ceiling, black accents, wooden vanity, and open shelving, creating a stylish and functional space. — Source: @ceilume via Instagram

Luxury bathroom with an elegant circular tray ceiling, arched windows, and soft neutral tones, creating a serene and sophisticated retreat. — Source: @karpassociatesinc via Instagram

Elegant bathroom with a scalloped ceiling, clawfoot bathtub, and chandelier, creating a luxurious and cohesive monochromatic design. — Source: @ritzy.design.studio via Instagram

The molding you choose should be a minimum of four inches wide. This is best for a more casual space. For a more formal look, choose a wide molding that’s up to nine inches wide.

9. Make a Statement with Ceiling Tiles

Most people skip using ceiling tile because it is unnecessary. Unless there is a large amount of moisture gathering near the bathroom ceiling, you don’t need to use tile to protect it. If you want to create a unique look, then you can use tile to make a bold design statement.

Modern shower with a bold black hexagonal tile ceiling, white subway tile walls, and matte black fixtures, creating a sleek monochrome contrast. — Source: @13thirtydesigns via Instagram

Modern shower with a black tile interior, contrasting white patterned ceiling, and dual rain showerheads, creating a sleek and luxurious look. — Source: @jamiestonetiling via Instagram

Modern shower with a bold patterned tile ceiling, concrete-style walls, and a black rain showerhead, creating a unique and stylish contrast. — Source: @holdfast_tiling via Instagram

Luxurious shower with mosaic tile covering the walls, ceiling, and built-in shelves, creating a seamless spa-like retreat with a rainfall showerhead. — Source: @tiling_nsw via Instagram

Cozy bathroom with a honeycomb tile ceiling, subway tile walls, and warm lighting, creating a vintage-inspired yet modern aesthetic. — Source: @beccaamilee via Instagram

Unique bathroom with handcrafted blue-green mosaic tiles covering the walls and ceiling, creating an immersive, artistic, and spa-like atmosphere. — Source: @bedrockindustries via Instagram

Ornate bathroom ceiling with intricate mosaic tile patterns, featuring elegant curves and earthy tones, creating a luxurious and timeless design. — Source: @ejberzolla_inspiredinteriors via Instagram

Modern shower with a white hexagonal tile ceiling and herringbone subway tile walls, creating a sleek and cohesive monochrome design. — Source: @ironkeydesigns via Instagram

Metal ceiling tiles are perfect for a retro look and will also increase the light in an otherwise dark bathroom. The metal will reflect the light back down. Choose one with a stamped design for a vintage feel that will also add visual interest.

If you prefer a more subtle look, you could use a white tile, such as subway tile. Use it on the walls and then continue it up and across the ceiling.

Do not try to use mosaic tiles on the ceiling. This highly colored and patterned tile will be overwhelming and close the bathroom in.

10. Open Up with Vaulted Ceilings

Make your bathroom look and feel larger by increasing the height of the ceiling. Unless you are doing an entire home remodel, you’re limited by the height of the roof above the ceiling.

However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You can raise the ceiling in the bathroom to be a sloping ceiling. It won’t be a true vault, but it will add height.

Rustic-modern bathroom with a vaulted ceiling, exposed wooden beams, and black hexagonal flooring, creating a cozy yet contemporary retreat. — Source: @crateandcottage via Instagram

Elegant bathroom with a vaulted ceiling, marble surfaces, and a clawfoot tub, creating a bright and sophisticated spa-like retreat. — Source: @lemonleafhomeinteriors via Instagram

Cozy farmhouse-style bathroom with a vaulted ceiling, exposed wooden beams, a freestanding tub, and patterned tile accents, creating a warm rustic charm. — Source: @storiesof_home via Instagram

Minimalist bathroom with a rustic vaulted ceiling, weathered wood paneling, and a sleek freestanding tub, creating a serene and spa-like retreat. — Source: @vitruviusandco via Instagram

Make sure the sloped ceiling doesn’t interfere with the use of the bathroom. You don’t want to sacrifice space over the shower or toilet so that people have to hunch or duck to use either.

11. Embrace Natural Beauty with Wood Ceilings

Adding wood to the ceiling in your bathroom can give it a farmhouse or cabin feel. Keep the wood light in color to help the bathroom feel light and bright.

If you’re doing a bathroom remodel, you can add wood beams and vault the ceiling. If you aren’t doing an entire remodel, then you can add wood paneling to the ceiling. This is a thin and lightweight finish that will cover the existing ceiling.

Modern farmhouse bathroom with a slatted wood ceiling, shiplap walls, and black accents, creating a warm and stylish contrast. — Source: @abbbclark_homeee via Instagram

Modern spa-like bathroom with a warm wood ceiling, dark textured walls, and soft lighting, creating a cozy and luxurious ambiance. — Source: @shopbathboutique via Instagram

Choose wood that matches the rest of the bathroom and home. A wood ceiling can have an elegant feel with a coffered or tray design. Shiplap or paneling will give it a homier feel.

Finished and stained wood will look more upscale, while rough-hewn or salvaged wood will give it a rustic aesthetic.

What is best for a basement bathroom ceiling?

The most common type of ceiling in a basement bathroom is to use drop ceiling tiles. These create a false ceiling that is lower than the actual height of the ceiling. The suspended ceiling creates a space so that you don’t disrupt the wires and plumbing that typically run on the basement ceiling.

How do you waterproof a bathroom ceiling?

If you decide to paint your bathroom ceiling, then you can waterproof it by choosing a semi-gloss or satin paint. These paints have a shiny finish that resists water better than flat finish paints. When choosing other materials, look for ones that state they are impervious to moisture.

Should you tile a shower ceiling?

You don’t have to tile a bathroom ceiling. However, if your bathroom is very humid for a large portion of the day, then tiling the ceiling is a smart idea. However, you don’t need to tile the ceiling. The only other reason to tile the ceiling is if you have a tiled accent wall that you want to extend onto the ceiling.