The sky on the ceiling is one of the well-known but still relevant decorative techniques. This image is obtained in different ways: using wallpaper, stretched fabric or stickers. You can even paint the surface with your own hands. We will tell you how to draw clouds on the ceiling correctly in a detailed step-by-step master class. We will also analyze in detail other ways to create such decor.
Options for designing the sky on the ceiling
The plots can be very different: children's, fantastic or realistic. Let's look at the main types.
Sky and clouds
This option is usually the first one that comes to mind. Light cloudiness looks unobtrusive. There are different types possible: large cumulus clouds or small cirrus clouds, an almost overcast sky or a couple of things in the corner.
The sun is at its zenith
The combination of bright yellow and blue is more contrasting and eye-catching. Usually other elements are added.
Sun rays
This option is similar to the previous one, but the luminary itself may be invisible. Oblique flows reveal the texture of the image details.
Sunsets and sunrises
The sky doesn't have to be blue. Delicate shades to start or end the day not only look interesting, but also create a romantic atmosphere. This ceiling is appropriate in the bedroom.
flying birds
Can be combined with any of the previous options. The image can be detailed or schematic - for example, dark silhouettes.
Floral borders
Plants along the edges create the impression that the sky is being admired from a garden or clearing. This ceiling is suitable for gentle romantic natures.
Imitation window frame
The binding can be part of the image or it can be made from thin slats placed on top of the image. This option is often used when the sky does not occupy the entire ceiling, but only a part.
Fantasy paintings
Such designs are suitable for a modern environment. The image is complemented by soap bubbles, a stairway to heaven and other similar subjects.
Cartoon clouds for children's rooms
Kids will love fairy-tale characters in balloons, floating castles and other magical pictures. You can add a night light in the shape of a cloud or a star.
The whole secret is in the lighting!
To achieve the desired effect when installing a stretch ceiling with a sky image, you need to understand that the main task is to properly think through and install the lighting system. The unique configuration will not only make any room cozy, but will also create a unique, stunning effect of realism.
You can take a ready-made option you like as a basis and consult with the experts. And they will suggest how to profitably decorate your room, where it is better to concentrate lamps or use LEDs of different colors. This can enliven the image and add some zest. And I can also say with confidence that the project turned out to be truly unique.
Peace of the white clouds
Many people prefer the image of white clouds on a blue background to the starry sky. This picture allows you to dream, recharge with summer energy and be in high spirits for a long time. Do you want to create a calm, cozy atmosphere in your home? Then the ideal option for you would be the option with floating clouds. In the evening you can relax, looking at the alluring blue expanse and “white-maned horses”. And in the morning it is much more pleasant to wake up under the open sky. It seems that happiness is just a matter of reaching out! This morning is filled with freshness and positivity. Starting your day with a smile will ensure you achieve success and feel in great shape.
You can make the interior uniform throughout the apartment. Arrange a heavenly ceiling in the bedroom, in the hallway, and in the corridor. Needless to say, children will definitely be delighted by such a fabulous transformation of their room? In addition, we should not forget that such an image has a positive effect on the nervous system and general well-being of the child. By studying the clouds and looking for familiar objects in their bizarre outlines, children calm down and get rid of stress. You can consider the option of depicting the sky with a rainbow. Isn't this the element of a fairy tale that delights people of all ages?
Before you order such a wonderful ceiling, look at the finished works of the campaign and choose the appropriate option for the arrangement of clouds in the sky. As well as their number, saturation and size. Be sure to clarify all your wishes to the master and show the optimal heavenly color on the palette. All you have to do is take a deep breath and wait for the artist’s final work. Soon you will see the miraculous relocation of a piece of heaven right into your home! And with it, comfort and good mood will settle forever!
Interesting:
Pink stretch ceiling - choose light colors!
Translucent stretch ceiling
Palette of suspended ceilings
Stretch ceilings with a pattern - a new breath of your room!
Stretch ceilings with 3D photo printing
Red stretch ceiling in the interior
Tips for choosing a pattern
To make the sky look more realistic, pay attention to the location of the clouds. A picture with a view from below will do. And the clouds approaching the viewer distort the perspective and look unnatural.
You should not choose a symmetrical image. This does not happen in nature, and the drawing will also be perceived as unnatural.
Much depends on the room. In a low room, it is better not to make the sky in dark colors, otherwise the ceiling will visually lower; soft blue is more suitable. When choosing a shade, it is necessary to take into account that it will look more saturated in the interior. It is better to keep clouds small; small cirrus is preferable to large cumulus.
The image on the ceiling must be integrated into the interior. To do this, similar shades are used in the setting. The remaining tones should be combined with them.
If the room is richly decorated, it is better to use a laconic design on the ceiling, for example, a light blue sky with two or three airy clouds. A bright image with many details in such a room creates an overloaded design. It is uncomfortable to be in such an environment.
If a painting that occupies the entire ceiling seems too bold a decision, you should think about a small insert. The shape is suitable: round, oval, rectangular, in the form of a cloud or other shape. A kind of window to the sky is placed, for example, above the bed in the children's or dining area. The rest of the ceiling is decorated in traditional white.
Next, let's look at ways to create a sky on the ceiling. We will analyze all the options, from the simplest ones, which are easy to do with your own hands, to more complex ones, where you cannot do without the help of specialists. The selection of photos at the end of the article will help you find suitable design ideas.
Where to use such designs
The best place for such decoration would be a children's room. Children really like the image of clouds and the sky above. In addition, such drawings on the ceiling create a more relaxed atmosphere and help improve the child’s emotional state.
At the same time, the canvas can be supplemented with several built-in LEDs and at night the sky will shine with many lights imitating stars. There is even a special version of this type of finish called “starry sky”, but it is not always suitable for children’s, as it is quite dark, and the sky-colored canvas looks light even at night. The twinkling of the “stars” will relieve children from night fears, and will also allow them to fall asleep faster and more soundly. Similar stretch ceilings depicting blue skies are shown in the photo below.
For living rooms, such designs will not be the best option, unless your interior is designed by a professional designer who takes into account all the nuances of such design
It is important to very accurately select the color of the walls, select suitable pieces of furniture and take into account many other details. A person without special experience cannot always cope with such a task.
In the kitchen, a “blue sky” ceiling would be appropriate. It creates a good mood before the work day when you pour your coffee and improves your mood even on the gloomiest rainy day
It is important to pay enough attention to detail - place bright accents in the form of additional decor or pieces of furniture in different bright colors
Many people think that this type of finish will look good in the bathroom. This is only partly true: if your bathroom is large and has high enough walls, then everything is in order. However, if you cannot boast of a large bathroom, then it is better to refuse such decoration - the small dimensions of this part of the house will seem even smaller due to the peculiarities of the pattern and color.
The same can be said about corridors with hallways - there is not much space here, and the design changes the overall perception of the room and visually, it will seem a little lower. The solution may be light walls or the use of a canvas depicting the sky in multi-tiered structures.
Cloud stickers
This is one of the simplest and most convenient ways to decorate. It is often used to decorate part of a room. It is better to stick on a flat surface. It is more difficult to do on protrusions or curves; skill is required.
The image is printed on vinyl film or paper with an adhesive layer. Can be placed on any flat and smooth surface. A painted slab, suspended or suspended ceiling is suitable. But the stickers will not stick to the plaster.
The surface is first cleaned of dust and the location of the pattern is determined. The protective layer is removed from the edge of the film, then gently pressed against the ceiling and smoothed. You need to try to glue it so that the picture lies flat, without bubbles, folds or distortions.
Kinds
Existing types of suspended ceilings differ in texture. It can be matte or glossy:
- Gloss can visually expand the boundaries of the room in which the suspended ceiling is installed. However, this material is not able to convey the clarity of the picture, since it has a mirror effect. On such a surface all objects that are in a given room will be visible.
- The matte counterpart is more expressive. It’s more pleasant to look at: all the colors are conveyed as clearly as possible, the drawing is not blurred, and there is no mirror effect.
Today, there are a lot of design techniques for decorating a ceiling with a picture of the sky. This can be a canvas with photo printing, using fiber optics, LEDs, mixing photo printing and fiber optics, imitation of stars using Swarovski crystals. An interesting version of the design is a stretch ceiling with an image painted with luminescent paint.
Hanging panels
This stylistic device involves a complex technical design. The panel can be manufactured in a factory; it is installed assembled. The main component of this design is a special disk made of a particularly durable composite, on the surface of which airbrushing or full-color printing is applied.
The disk has built-in fiber optic threads, due to which, when turned on via a remote control, the radiance of the stars is transmitted. Sometimes, to complete the experience, a sound module is installed into the structure, due to which cosmic sounds are transmitted. The remote control allows you to adjust the intensity of the glow and the background tone.
Backlit
This type is a suspended ceiling with an LED strip that is installed inside. During the work, it shines through the canvas, so against the general background the effect of shining stars and sun rays is created.
A canvas with a light background glows brighter, and due to the backlight, the print looks realistic.
With photo printing and fiber optics
This design is the most labor-intensive and expensive. For production, textiles are used on which an image of the sky is printed. Then the optical fiber strands are fixed. The lighting elements are attached externally through special holes. The arrangement of the threads is arbitrary, as is the thickness used.
The mixing of threads looks especially beautiful, allowing you to create the effect of stars of different sizes shining against the sky at night. This approach to decorating the ceiling area can be carried out using an emitter with a powerful lamp or individual lamps of different colors. They use LEDs that shine at the ends of the threads, they are attached to the required length. The total number of such threads can be 130-150 pcs.
With luminescent paint
This type of stretch ceiling is budget-friendly. Transparent paint is applied via photo printing to the film coating. During the day, such a sky is practically unremarkable. In the evening and at night, the surface transforms: the ceiling is literally dotted with twinkling stars.
This stretch covering can decorate a child's room.
With Starpins pins and Swarovski crystals
This option is created on the basis of PVC canvas with or without a pattern, as well as using an LED strip, which usually illuminates the pins.
During the installation process, the film coating is pierced in places where the glow is needed, then the canvas is stretched and pins (plain or colored) are inserted. The light from the tape hitting the pins makes them glow. Lenses require strands of fiber optics. This is how they create the effect of diffused radiance.
Photo wallpaper
Photo wallpaper for the ceiling in the form of a sky with clouds is made on different bases. The properties of the material, price and gluing technology depend on this.
Paper wallpaper
Paper ones have a smooth surface that does not distract from the image. They are environmentally friendly (they allow air to pass through and do not emit harmful substances), and therefore are suitable for bedrooms and children's rooms. They are not resistant to water, which is why they cannot be washed or wiped with a damp cloth. To correct this drawback, the surface is covered with aqualac. You can choose a ready-made version or order a print of your image; it will take no more than two days. Price - about 700 rubles per 1 m².
For installation you will need any brand of glue for paper wallpaper. It is applied to the material and allowed to sit for several minutes. Then apply it to the surface and gently smooth it out. It is inconvenient to work under the ceiling, so it is better to work together.
You can choose paper wallpaper, but with a vinyl coating; they are also called anti-vandal. Then the surface becomes stronger and can withstand mechanical damage and wet cleaning. Such wallpaper is suitable for kitchens where there is a lot of fumes and grease splashes. You will need glue for heavy paper wallpaper. Installation is the same as with the usual option. The cost is slightly higher - from 850 rubles per m².
Non-woven wallpaper
Non-woven wallpaper is denser, more durable and durable. They have light reinforcing properties and hide small cracks in the ceiling. They can withstand slight humidity, but can be washed only after applying aqualak, which is used to cover them after pasting.
Ceiling wallpapers have a variety of textures, which affect the perception of the pattern:
- canvas - the image resembles a painting or textile material, goes well with the classic style of the interior;
- plaster - the design is similar to a fresco, suitable for historical areas;
- concrete - used for loft and other modern styles;
- sand is a neutral option with a fine texture that fits into any interior;
- craquelure effect - reminiscent of a network of thin cracks in paintings by old masters, combined with classics, baroque and rococo;
- embossing is a small relief in the form of thin stripes or other patterns.
For gluing, special wallpaper glue for non-woven fabric is used. The powder is diluted according to the instructions and allowed to brew. Then they apply it to the ceiling and apply wallpaper. The surface is smoothed. It is more convenient to glue together. Non-woven photo wallpapers cost about 1,000 rubles per “square”.
Vinyl wallpapers
Self-adhesive images are made on a vinyl base. The top protective layer can be matte or glossy. Wallpaper is highly resistant to mechanical damage, can withstand washing and is very durable. They are glued using the same principle as stickers: remove part of the backing, press it to the ceiling and smooth it out until the entire pattern is in place. But with such wallpaper you can fill the entire ceiling. They cost about 1000 rubles per m².
Kinds
Starry sky stretch ceilings are divided into types in terms of design and appearance. In the latter case, we are talking about colors, shapes, and features of the pattern on the film. As for the design, it happens:
- Stretch ceiling starry sky with backlight
- Without backlight
You can illuminate the ceiling in 2 ways, including combining them. The first is to use fiber optics. The second is to use LED strip. The optical fiber works in conjunction with the generator, emerging from it as a beam and diverging to different points on the film. Here the fiber optic threads are pierced through the tension fabric, glued to it and cut flush with the film.
While working, the generator transmits light to the optical fiber. It can be one color, or a spectrum of different ones. It all depends on the generator model. Optical fiber strands cut flush with the film look like stars on the ceiling. For naturalness, they are often placed unevenly, in some places they are collected into star clouds, comets, and galaxies.
Stretch ceiling “Starry sky” with lighting
A starry sky based on an LED strip requires a power supply for it. It's better to take it without a fan. Its noise during operation of the unit can annoy household members. Units without fans are usually low-power. But, it is better to replace a couple of these with one powerful one.
An LED strip, like a generator, is a light source. It remains to transmit this glow to the “stars”. Instead of optical fiber, starpins are used in conjunction with LED strip. These are pins made of light-transmitting material.
They also pierce the film. Starpins hats remain on its front side. The light from an LED strip thrown across the rough ceiling is transmitted to the legs protruding from the back surface. For a uniform glow, it is usually placed in a snake pattern.
A stretch ceiling with a starry sky effect can be illuminated around the perimeter, for example, if the ceiling is two-level. The area with the sky is often made in the center. And the second level near the walls is made monochromatic. An LED strip is passed between the levels.
Without backlight
Also, lighting around the perimeter fits the theme if a floating profile is used. Then the starry sky seems to be suspended between the walls. Light shines through the crack. It is emitted by an LED strip hidden in a special groove in the profile. Due to its glow in the gap between the wall and the film, the effect of the tension fabric being torn off from the walls is obtained.
Now, let's move on to classifying the starry sky by appearance. Much depends on the film used and how it is processed. There are:
- Ceilings made from Galaxy film. These are factory canvases. They are made in colored colors interspersed with sparkles. These sparkles serve as an imitation of stars when light rays fall on them. The galaxy is not necessarily black or blue. There is a beige and pink film with glitter. You can also make a white stretch ceiling starry sky.
- Ceilings with photo printing. A factory-made monochromatic film without any inclusions is taken and printed on an ultraviolet or eco-solvent machine. The first photo printing is suitable for wide canvases, but is more expensive. Using an eco-solvent machine, you can apply a design to a film up to 2.7 meters wide. When making a starry sky, we naturally choose pictures of the Milky Way, the night sky, and cosmic views. These pictures can also be made in different colors, not necessarily realistic.
Stretch ceiling “Starry sky” white
If you strive for the most realistic look, a starry sky stretch ceiling should be made with photo printing, supplemented with fiber optics. If you pierce it with threads in places where stars and their clusters are depicted on the film, you get the maximum effect of presence.
How to draw a sky with clouds
To create such an image, you do not need to be a professional artist. For painting, accuracy and patience are enough.
Paint selection
For living rooms it is better to use water-dispersed compositions. They are environmentally friendly and easily lay on the plastered surface; they can be mixed with each other or diluted to create a translucent effect. In damp rooms (for example, bathrooms and kitchens) they paint with acrylic.
The desired shade is chosen in the store or obtained through tinting. A small amount of dye is added to the white base (for the main tone - blue to get a blue color). The tinting service is available in all major construction stores. The shade for painting is selected using a computer and then mixed automatically.
You can get the desired tone at home. The paint is stirred with a drill at low speed. But in this case, it is difficult to immediately obtain the desired shade (and also repeat it if necessary). In both cases, it is advisable to purchase paint in excess so that it is enough to cover the ceiling in two passes (this way nothing will show through).
Attention! Acrylic paints darken after drying. It is better to choose them a couple of tones lighter than desired. If possible, do a test paint job. Stir a small amount and apply to paper, drywall or other material. Wait until the sample dries and evaluate it.
When people talk about the color of clouds, many people think of pure white. But in fact they have more or less noticeable shades. At dawn or dusk, pink or orange tones appear. And on a clear day, sunlit clouds have a warm tint. It is obtained by adding a drop of yellow and red colorant to white paint. The difference is difficult to notice with the naked eye, but the image will be more natural.
Surface preparation
Before starting work, furniture and belongings are removed from the room. The floor and objects that could not be removed are covered with construction film. Remove the remnants of the old coating: paint, plaster, wallpaper, etc. You can slightly soak it and then help with a spatula.
All cracks, joints between slabs and other irregularities are sealed. You should not hope that after painting the defects will disappear, because the drawing will draw attention to the surface.
Then the ceiling is primed. Choose a deep penetration composition that simultaneously strengthens and reduces paint consumption. After complete drying, you can begin creative work.
Drawing
First, the ceiling is covered with blue paint. Apply paint near the walls with a wide brush, but on the rest of the area it is more convenient to work with a roller. The composition is applied evenly. To create a realistic sky, it is better if the movements are chaotic, rather than in the same direction.
When the paint is dry, apply a second layer, and then the contours of the clouds. This is done with white chalk, which is clearly visible against a bright background, but will then be erased and hidden during the painting process.
The clouds are made asymmetrical, preferably different in size. You can first sketch a sketch on a sheet of paper, which is cut taking into account the proportions of the room.
Clouds on the ceiling are drawn with a sponge, then the edges turn out blurry. A natural or textured one from a hardware store would be better. The pattern partly depends on the texture.
A small amount of paint is poured into the cuvette. Dip a sponge into it and remove the excess (on the edge, rag or paper). Then lightly press it to the ceiling in the right places. The movements should be wet so that the drawing does not smudge. This goes along all the contours. The inside of large clouds can be painted with a roller or brush, a solid color.
Shadows will help make the sky more natural. Clouds are not flat, but have various shapes, which are indicated by shadows. To do this, take a little of the mixture left from the sky and add it to the white. Then applied to the clouds using the same technique. They also go around the edges, then they become translucent.
Quite realistic clouds can be painted using a stencil and a can of spray paint. In addition, this is also an easier method. A cloud is cut out of a sheet of cardboard, but not the whole, but only half, so the drawing will have clear boundaries at the top and blurry ones at the bottom, which looks very realistic. The resulting template is applied to the ceiling one by one and paint is carefully applied from a can.
To master this technique, it is better to first practice somewhere on a rough surface. This method is shown in detail in the video.
Peculiarities
The first sky-style ceiling was created in America by an artist and simply a very creative person - Bill Witherspoon. One day he needed urgent dental care. He could not pay for the services with money, and offered to decorate the ceiling of the office in a heavenly style. Clients who came to see the doctor were absolutely delighted with the unusual ceiling with a view of the beautiful sky that they could enjoy while sitting in the dentist's chair. Over time, this design began to gain increasing popularity all over the world.
Stretch ceilings have many advantages over other ceiling design options:
- durability in use;
- protection against water leaks from upper floors;
- environmental friendliness and safety of materials;
- high aesthetic characteristics.
Scientists have proven that a deep, vast image of the starry sky has the most beneficial effect on a person’s psychological state. It fascinates with its beauty, distracts from problems and vanity, and gives a person inner and peace of mind. The view of space relaxes and gives the opportunity to fully relax. Such ceilings installed in bedrooms are a good help for people with insomnia.
Previously, creating a ceiling that imitated the sky above required a lot of time, effort, and special materials. Now this process has become much easier. All you need is metal profiles and drywall. And modern lighting capabilities make it possible to achieve maximum realism and beauty of the ceiling covering.
There are mainly two options for installing ceilings in the “starry sky” style. They differ only in the nature of the structures (single-level and multi-level) and the type of lighting, for which either fiber optics or LED strip can be used. Naturally, these options differ financially.
The first option is very effective, but expensive. It consists of a fiber optic system and a tension fabric (fabric or film). However, the second variation also impresses with its beauty.
“Starry skies” represent an entire system that can be controlled. The visibility of blinking stars and a moving galaxy is created using projectors (self-oscillators). They install LED or halogen lamps with all kinds of light filters that create the appearance of movement and flickering of colors.
With the help of animated light generators equipped with special programs, you can easily change the visibility of the night sky. It is also possible to create your own programs. They can change the image of the starry sky in the way you program it yourself. All this is monitored by a controller with up to twenty outputs, each of which has the ability to connect up to two hundred stars.
Filters responsible for light rotate silently in the projector. They are responsible for the play of lighting, color and shadow. The speeds at which they spin are changed by software. More expensive projectors have remote control capabilities. Cheaper lighting equipment is connected to an outlet. One “starry sky” design can use a pair of projectors.
The main element of the “starry skies” is optical fiber. These are threads that transmit a stream of light. With their help, the effect of glowing fiber tips is created.
Professionals in their field use one trick: they touch the tip of the optical fiber with a hot soldering iron after it is installed. This is done so that the “stars” have different sizes. You can simply buy fibers with different diameters, which create exactly the same effect. However, selecting fibers is a very lengthy process, so many people often use the first method with a soldering iron.
Stretch ceiling with photo printing
The image is printed to order, according to the size and shape of the room. Various options are available in manufacturers’ catalogs, but you can also order your own design.
For photo printing, large-format plotters with high resolution are used, which allows you to obtain high-quality images. The ink does not emit harmful substances, and the design does not crack over time. The printed image does not affect the properties of the stretch ceiling; it still remains waterproof and is suitable for wet rooms. Care for canvases with photo printing in the same way as regular ones.
The only downside is the price. Due to expensive equipment and ink, the cost of a stretch ceiling with a pattern can be twice that of a regular canvas.
For printing, both fabric and film of different textures are used. Glossy reflects light. It is placed in low rooms due to its ability to visually raise the ceiling. Matte resembles a painted surface and is more suitable for tall rooms. Satin has a pleasant soft shine.
Installation of a stretch ceiling with photo printing is carried out in the same way as a regular canvas. The whole process takes from two to several hours, does not require careful preparation of the base and is not accompanied by a large amount of construction dirt.
An interesting effect is achieved using translucent film. LED strips or panels are placed behind the canvas. When turned on, the rays softly shine through, creating the impression of a glowing sky. But this technique reduces the height more than a conventional single-tier ceiling. Space is required for the LED strip and a substrate, which is needed so that the shortcomings of the rough coating are not noticeable. As a rule, a regular white film is stretched at a distance of 3-5 cm from the plate.
A stretch ceiling can be not only single-level, but also multi-tiered. Then the image occupies part of the composition (usually the top). In such options, the imitation of a window looks great, with or without lighting.
Special solutions
Stretch ceilings with glow-in-the-dark stars made from LEDs or optical fiber look very beautiful. This design is assembled by specialists and is quite complex. However, the effect obtained after decorating the room in this way will exceed all expectations.
At the same time, you can decorate with such a design not only a children’s room, but also a living room or an adult’s bedroom. The flickering of LEDs or bright spots of optical fiber imitating stars is mesmerizing.
However, there are also disadvantages to this solution. First of all, it is expensive. If you order the installation of a “starry sky” ceiling from specialists, then its cost will be several times higher than that of a standard design. At the same time, it is almost impossible to assemble something like this on your own. Another disadvantage will be the need to purchase additional equipment in the form of a projector in solutions with fiber optics or a large number of LEDs and a special transformer for connecting them.
In both cases, it will be necessary to service this additional equipment from time to time and for this, it will be necessary to provide either a special niche or provide access to the projector located in the ceiling space in another way. The best solution would be to install a combined ceiling, in which one part will be made of plasterboard. This will allow you to place the projector in it and mount a special hatch for access to it.
Photo gallery
A ceiling with clouds, thanks to the variety of design options, is suitable for rooms with any function - kitchen, living room, bedroom or children's room. Materials and style are chosen depending on the situation.
Which curtains to choose?
An excellent choice would be various types of curtains or blinds in pastel cream, milky or beige tones, which will slightly soften the cold shade. This combination will enhance the feeling of freshness in the room.
