25 Inexpensive Porch Ceiling Ideas

Every space in your home deserves its own moment, even an often overlooked spot such as your porch ceiling. This area can be an extremely fun project to recreate without buying new supplies or breaking the bank.

Some inexpensive porch ceiling ideas include beadboard, shiplap, tongue-and-groove, staining, or painting. You can even incorporate a modern, rustic, or traditional aesthetic that serves as a sneak peek to the rest of your home’s style. If you’re ready to design your porch ceiling but could use some inspiration, keep scrolling for our favorite transformation ideas below.

• 01of 25Paint the Ceiling Haint Blue @theclevergoose / InstagramIt is a Southern tradition to paint porch ceilings haint blue because the color is said to ward off ghosts or spirits (Haint is an alternative for the word “haunt”). In the case of this home, the porch ceiling color nicely matches the front door and shutters for a cheery, coastal vibe.
• 02of 25Add Texture With a Beadboard Jason Finn / Getty ImagesA beadboard porch ceiling is a great way to add texture to the space. Beadboard, which is commonly used as wainscoting, originated in England centuries ago. It is usually made from a highly water-resistant material such as PVC, which makes it a great choice for outdoor projects.
• 03of 25Give a Nod to the Sea With Shiplap  The Home ConsultantIf you want to incorporate wood, shiplap is a more affordable option than beadboard.¹Shiplap originated from shipbuilding and is a good choice if you want to evoke seaside or coastal vibes with your decor.
• 04of 25Create Warmth with Tongue-and-groove chuckcollier / Getty ImagesTongue-and-groove is extremely easy to install because of its joints, which make it very secure once in place. Pine is a popular option for tongue-and-groove, which adds a rustic warmth to the space, especially if you choose to stain the wood.
• 05of 25Go Green With Hanging Plants K. Shan DesignAdd a bit of green to your front porch by hanging some plants from the ceiling. You can also scatter plants on the porch floor for an extra lush look.
• 06of 25Stay Cool With a Fan The Spruce / Janet GustStaying cool while enjoying time outside on the porch is paramount, so you may wish to hang a fan—or several–from the porch ceiling. There are many different styles to choose from depending on your temperature needs and aesthetics.
• 07of 25Hang Lantern-Like Fixtures Calimia HomeBrighten up your front porch by hanging some lanterns from the ceiling. Select any style of pendant that appeals to you. On this porch, woven fixtures add a laid-back touch to this space and nicely complement the light wooden furniture. 
• 08of 25Have Fun With Ferns The Spruce / Stacy Zarin GoldbergFor an extra earthy look, hang some potted ferns from the porch ceiling. These eye-catching plants will make for a gorgeous addition texturally and will give you some extra privacy due to their large size.
• 09of 25Illuminate With String Lights Design by @mikestevenshomes / Instagram / Photo by @_chrissmithphotography_String lights brighten up this porch instantly, making it a more enjoyable spot to spend time outdoors once the sun sets. Go ahead and take a cue from your backyard: Classic patio lights are festive and easy to attach to your porch ceiling.
• 10of 25Opt for a New Wood Stain @bytheolivetreehome / InstagramIf you’re not thrilled with your porch ceiling’s existing wood color, you can always stain it to enjoy and achieve a whole new look. You can take on this budget-friendly project using supplies purchased from the hardware store.
• 11of 25Add a Pop of Color Mint Images / Getty ImagesThis porch features exposed wooden beams that pop even more than usual because they’re painted green. If you do not wish to paint your entire porch ceiling but want to experiment a bit with vibrant color, this approach is a great solution.
• 12of 25Turn a Fence Into Ceiling Material The Cavender DiaryBelieve it or not, this porch ceiling was constructed using a six-foot cedar fence. The slats are arranged in a linear formation that adds a rustic look to the front of this home.
• 13of 25Add Flair With Molding Design by Aspire Fine Homes / Photo by Felix SanchezJazz up a plain porch ceiling by adding some molding as seen here. This geometric pattern instantly draws the eye upward. If you wish to paint your molding a brighter color than the white shown here, you can certainly do so.
• 14of 25Use Black Paint for a Cozy Vibe Dodson DesignsBlack porch ceilings are uncommon, but they can certainly cozy up a space. Plus, this shade complements the outdoor ceiling fans and helps to camouflage them, too. Check out affordable and luxurious brands that feature our favorite black paint hues to use throughout the home.
• 15of 25Transform a Plain Ceiling Using Cedar Shake A Life UnfoldingRecycling materials is a great and affordable way to upgrade your home. Here, homeowners used leftover cedar shake from a porch makeover project to transform what had previously been a plain ceiling. This style is reminiscent of the thatched houses commonly found in coastal areas.
• 16of 25Replace an Unsightly Ceiling With Thin Plywood Michelle Berwick DesignIf your existing porch ceiling is rotting or showing signs of age, you can cover it up using thin plywood, as seen here. Then, stain the wood or paint it using the shade of your choosing.
• 17of 25Kick Back and Relax on a Porch Swing Maite GrandaEveryone loves to kick back and relax while sitting on a porch swing. You can hang one of these from your porch ceiling to instantly make the front of your home appear a bit more welcoming. You can even construct your own porch swing using a free plan.
• 18of 25DIY a Cedar Plank Ceiling The Sweetest DigsAre you feeling crafty? This cedar plank ceiling was actually a DIY that cost just about $500 using materials from the hardware store. It’s the perfect accent to a farmhouse-style home.
• 19of 25Opt for a Crisp, White Look Sarah ChristyOf course, if your porch already has a wooden plank ceiling, you can replicate this all-white look with a bit of paint. This crisp white hue complements the many wooden columns out front.
• 20of 25Try Hanging Chandeliers Design by Kate Marker InteriorsWhile we most often see pendant fixtures or recessed lighting on porches, there’s no reason you can’t hang a chandelier out front if you wish. This one instantly adds character to the porch due to its vintage look.
• 21of 25Nail Holiday Lights to the Ceiling for Added Glow A Beautiful MessIf you want a subtle look, nail a strand of holiday lights to your porch ceiling. A clear strand will be even easier to hide and will add to the ambiance when plugged in at night.
• 22of 25Introduce Skylights to the Front Porch Becca InteriorsWhoever said skylights were just for interior spaces? If you’re building a porch ceiling from scratch, consider adding some skylights into the mix. Skylights will allow additional light to stream in on your porch and can be enjoyable to peer through at night as you sit back and gaze at the stars.
• 23of 25Mix Lighting Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp-LigorriaMix different types of lighting to create different ambiances throughout the day and night. Here, a bold pendant light is complemented by supplemental recessed lights, which can easily be controlled.
• 24of 25Have Fun With Fixtures Designed by William Hunter Collection / Styled by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp-LigorriaCreate your own one-of-a-kind fixture by placing some of your favorite candles together to mimic a centerpiece. This budget-friendly project will create a cozy and intimate setting, perfect for any outdoor dinner.
• 25of 25Add Some Contrast Kate Marker InteriorsChoose a ceiling color that offers a stark contrast to your walls to make a sophisticated statement. If you want to go bolder, bring in a brighter color to paint the window trims and ceilings.