Meet the fifth and sixth walls

Discover how colour above and below can transform the way a room feels

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August 7, 2026 9:14am EDT

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Cosy living room with white ceiling, olive wall, bookshelves, and eclectic vintage furniture.

Walls: Cardamom No.CB5; Doors: Duster No.319 and Sap Green No.199; Floor: Mouse’s Back No.40; Wall: Dove Tale No.267; Ceiling: Purbeck Stone No.275 all in Flat Eggshell

Let colour travel further

Walls are only the beginning.

By carrying colour onto the fifth and sixth walls, the ceiling and floor, you can change the atmosphere of a room, shift its proportions and make the whole scheme feel more considered. Whether you continue one shade across every surface or introduce something unexpected above or below, there’s more room for colour than you might think.

Shop all colours

Cosy green attic nook with paisley cushions, skylight and wall art above a built‑in seat

Elegant taupe dining space with wooden table, gold mirror, and sculptural chandelier.

Top: Image from Recipes for Decorating; Walls and Ceiling: Olive No.13
Bottom left: Photo: @tinyloftlife; Walls and Ceiling: Loggia No.232
Bottom right: Photo: @via110design; Walls and Ceiling: Broccoli Brown No.198

Complete the colour story

The ceiling has a quiet influence on the way a room feels.

Painting it in the same shade as the walls creates a calm, seamless effect, softening the boundaries of the space. A complementary white can make the transition feel lighter and more cohesive, while a deeper or contrasting colour can alter the perceived height of the room or create an unexpected focal point.

You can also explore different finishes or take pattern overhead for a more expressive result.

Discover ceiling ideas

Calm blue bathroom with freestanding dark tub, gold taps and large window overlooking greenery.

Simple beige and cream wall with wooden table, lemons, and rustic vase of branches.

Fresh mint and cream kitchen with blue pendant light, white table, and checkerboard floor.

Top: Walls: Kakelugn No.317 in Modern Emulsion; Floor: Sizing No.314 in Flat Eggshell;
Bottom left: Walls: Pointing No.2003 and New White No.59 in Estate Emulsion; Panelling and Floor: Faded Terracotta No.CC8 in Modern Eggshell;
Bottom right: Wall: Breakfast Room Green No.81 and School House White No.291 both in Modern Emulsion; Floor: Stone Blue No.86 and School House White No.291 both in Modern Eggshell

A foundation for the whole room

Painted floors can bring colour and character to a space while remaining wonderfully practical.

A single, confident shade creates a strong foundation for furniture, artwork and everyday life. Choose a neutral for a quiet, grounded feel, or carry one colour through several rooms to create a sense of flow and calm. For something more individual, stripes or a painted runner can introduce a playful detail without overwhelming the scheme. With careful preparation and the right durable finish, colour underfoot can feel every bit as considered as colour on the walls.

Discover floor ideas

Farrow & Ball colour card on a wooden table beside colour charts showing green and cream shades.

Bright moods and bold statements

Let colour travel further and see what happens when the whole space comes into play.

Explore our colours

Classic sitting area with upholstered armchair, taupe panelling, and pink flowers on side table.

Find your perfect finish

Choose a finish designed for the surface at hand, from soft, low-sheen options for ceilings to durable finishes that keep painted floors looking their best.

Find your finish