Most people are familiar with accent walls or statement pieces of furniture, but have you heard of a statement ceiling?
While light-coloured ceilings, usually in white, are a classic choice, homeowners can now experiment with a wide variety of textures, designs and colours, especially through the use of POP (plaster of Paris), also called “false ceiling”.
POP is a quick-setting white powder consisting of semi-dehydrated gypsum. POP hardens when it comes in contact with water and is left to dry. Its quick-setting property makes it a popular choice for artworks and it is commonly used as a cast before painting. Bringing this artistic flavour into the home is now easier than ever, thanks to POP wall protrusions, accents and false ceilings, which can be moulded into a range of beautiful designs.
The flexibility offered by POP offers unlimited potential for customisation according to the customer’s choice and the suitability of the ceiling or wall. Whether on a wall or a ceiling, POP provides immense benefits, such as concealment of unattractive wiring, soundproofing, fire safety and energy efficiency. In addition to these, POP also provides thermal insulation: the air pocket created between two layers provides a cooling effect, something which is of special importance in a place like India, with scorching summers. Wall elements made of POP are lightweight and offer a high degree of resistance to physical impact, making the home stronger and more secure. Although dust might collect along the grooves of a textured design, POP elements are easy to clean and maintain.
From a design point-of-view, playing with colours and textures or adding decorative lights to the POP feature can add a stunning dimension to any room. From solid colours to interlocking patterns, and from minimalistic designs to decorative ones, the options are endless with POP to create an affordable design statement that lets the world know who you are.
Here are five of the top POP trends you can follow:
Minimalistic Wall Panel
In these rushed times, everyone is in need of a calm oasis in the home, which can provide peace and serenity. POP panels, often used in ceilings, can also be used on upper walls in the bedroom to create subtle accents that are simple yet stylish. You can experiment with these panels by painting them in light, soothing shades, or even by adding coloured lights. This reduces the dependence of harsh light fixtures like a tubelight and helps to disperse light more efficiently. A sober colour scheme and wooden decor will act as binding elements to create an urbane, modern, relaxing bedroom.
If you choose to paint your wall panel in white then choose a complementing neutral shade floor tiles. However, if you choose to paint them in pastels or english shades then you can choose wooden finish tiles.
Black And White
Although black and white is a classic combination, some people hesitate to use this on the ceiling as they fear that dark colours might make the space look smaller. No such worries with POP designs as they allow for concealed lighting, which can provide gentle illumination to the room from within. Many high-end restaurants and hotels feature bold black-and-white designs, and now, this design trend can be applied within homes as well. Provide ample lighting to contrast with and soften the darker shades. There is unlimited potential for patterns and motifs to create a refined, modern look. Pair them with round lights and light furniture to create a trendy ambience.
Side Protrusions
If you want to create more dimension in your bedroom and give a more spacious look, POP protrusions can provide the perfect solution. Add a side protrusion to create the illusion of a high ceiling without any fuss. Who wouldn’t love the look of a large, comforting room with a high ceiling, to feel like the master of your own space? The best part is that no separate investment is needed, as it is simple and affordable. It costs the same as a normal ceiling but provides an added layer. The addition of light fixtures can enhance this feature by creating a further play on depth and shadow, but the versatility of this design is such that even without any lighting, it can still elevate the bedroom.
Side Protrusions bring depth and a sense of calmness to the spaces. You can accentuate these by using handing or pendant lamps and neutral or beige colored tiles.
Decorative POP Ceiling
India has a long history of various kinds of carving designs: from the Taj Mahal to various palaces across the country, many architectural landmarks feature ornate carvings in the form of inlays, known as parchin kari. Now you can bring a piece of this royal heritage to your home with decorative POP ceilings. These design elements feature intricate designs carved into a solid-coloured base. The designs themselves could be geometric, abstract or floral, each of which provides a spectacular look to the ceiling, making it the centre of attention. Pair these designs with simple wooden borders to balance their complexity, and add some light fixtures to create a play with highlights and shadows. Accentuate these designs with minimal furniture and ample space to create rooms fit for a queen!
The decorative POP ceilings can also be matched with your wall or floor tiles. If you are opting for an intricate ceiling design ensure the floor tiles are minimal and neutral in colour.
Central Ring Pattern Ceiling Pop Design
Harking back once again to India’s rich heritage of carving, especially in jaali designs, this pattern of interlocking circles makes for a very striking yet subtle addition to your bedroom. Embedded lights in some of the circles create an interesting play of light and shadow, accentuating the fluid lines of this geometry, and flooding the room with a gentle splash of illumination. The colour combination is solid without being distracting, allowing the interconnected circles to be the highlight of the room. This is the perfect design to conceal wiring, while elevating the ambience. This look can also be customised to include different symmetrical or asymmetrical patterns to highlight the vertical and horizontal lines of the room and add depth.
Such intricate designs on the ceiling complement solid color or marble tiles the best. You can choose marble pattern tiles in glossy finish if it is a living room or a bedroom space or a store or showroom. And matte finish tiles if it is a commercial space with heavy footfall.
Now that we have discovered a plethora of POP designs, here are few tips to keep in mind.
Tips To Follow While Using POP
- Always ensure safety by using protective gear like masks, gloves and goggles while using POP.
- Keep the space well ventilated while working with POP as it can produce fumes while drying.
- To get a flawless design, avoid touching the wall while the plaster is drying.
- Add plaster to water and not the other way round. Follow this to have a smoother mixture. Mix the solution until there are no lumps left.
- POP ceilings last for at least 15-20 years. Dust them like any other surface. Avoid using water.
- A vacuum cleaner also works effectively in cleaning POP walls and ceilings.
In conclusion, POP designs are here to stay and for good reason! Use these design ideas to give your interiors a complete makeover which will make jaws drop. Moulding your own dream space has never been easier.
Have you used any of these ideas in your home? Reach out to us in the comments!
