What decorates a child`s ceiling, whether it`s a universe of twinkling stars or a field of fabric streamers, can fuel a fertile imagination.
For inspiration, check day-care centers, classrooms and the offices of children`s dentists. Chances are you`ll find all kinds of suspended decor, from art projects and posters to mobiles and streamers. What festoons the ceilings in children`s public settings often will fit in at home too.
One solution is painting the ceiling a different color than the walls. As simple as this sounds, it adds instant zip. Let your child choose which shade will cover his or her kingdom, but lend assistance in determining color intensity.
If the a ceiling is high and needs to be lowered visually, opt for a dark color. If the ceiling would look better raised, go with a light color. Keep in mind that a glossy finish will cause glare; a matte finish won`t.
Does your child long to sleep in the great outdoors? Turn that dream into reality by dabbing white paint ”clouds” on a solid light blue ceiling, using a coarse sponge from a bath or art shop.
Painted murals can also enhance overhead settings. If you`re artistic and your child likes circuses, for instance, create an illusion of the Big Top with a striped ceiling pattern angled so it meets in the center. For a merry- go-round, paint a round disc-shaped medallion at the midway point to give a carousel effect. With any mural, keep it simple so nothing major is involved when it`s time for a change of scenery.
A banner idea
For an interesting effect that helps absorb sound, hang banners across the ceiling.
You can create your own banners from fabric cut into geometric shapes. Or look for discounted pillowcases, as they are just the right size and shape for banners when hung lengthwise. For a flowing look, lightweight material such as satin is probably best. To add interest to solid fabric, glue or sew on circles to represent the sun, moon or other planets.
Cloth is also perfect for ceiling canopies. A large fabric square suspended from the ceiling with nylon thread at each corner may appear like a flying carpet to a young person. Add some fringe and it becomes a frilly overhang that may evoke a different feeling. For a child intent on being tented, these do-it-yourself fabric hangings are low-cost alternatives to a canopy bed.
There are also many readymade banners. Constructive Playthings features 54-inch-long designs with natural and other motifs. For banner sets, consider the Environments Inc. line of rainbows, seasons, the rain forest and other themes. Appliqued to look good from either side, these tough, translucent nylon taffeta designs are 24 to 48 inches long. The longer banners are meant for vaulted or other high ceilings; however, some of these patterns can be adapted to hang from lower ceilings by being draped in roller-coaster fashion. A breezy alternative
Kites are another fanciful way to go. Whether it`s a Chinese paper dragon with a long tail or a colorful box kite, what your child chooses to flutter across the ceiling will delight any viewer when a breeze passes through. Be cautious, however, if a kite shares space with a ceiling fixture. Make sure the bulb doesn`t come into contact with flammable material such as paper, or that kite material doesn`t interfere with the blades on a ceiling fan.
Windsocks, mobiles and model aircraft can dress up ceilings too. So can inflatable toys and wall hangings. Favorite playthings can appear airborne with clear monofilament fishing line.
Glow-in-the-dark stars in a darkened room turn the ceiling into the night sky.
Planetary wanderings
Young astronomers can create phosphorescent constellations with kits that contain items varying from plastic stars to cardboard planets the size of dinner plates. Designed purely for decoration, they are backed with putty or adhesives that allow for rearrangement without ceiling damage.
In a room with bunk beds, put a few stars under the upper bed so the bottom sleeper can stargaze from a closer vantage point.
Besides being whimsical, bedroom solar systems are educational. As interest in outer space grows, allow more serious study to be pursued by attaching a map of the universe or a lunar calendar to the ceiling. The Moonphase Poster from the Nature Co. glows in the dark and shows the day-to-day visible portion of the moon. Other out-of-this-world ceiling items include:
– Solar mobile: A 10-piece model of the solar system with a paper sun and rubber planets scaled to teach relative size and relationship in a 20-foot span ($27.95, Lakeshore Learning Materials).
– Photo posters of the planets: NASA shots taken on the Apollo 17 mission ($7.95, the Nature Co.).
– Celestial beach balls: Made of midnight blue plastic with the universe depicted ($9.95, the Nature Co.).
The ceiling deserves more than the ho-hum treatment it usually rates. Provide the added dimension of ceiling decoration to a room, and your child can keep striving to reach new heights.
