Painting a Haint Blue Porch Ceiling
Painting a haint blue porch ceiling, what is it exactly and why do people do it?
When we were building Duke Manor Farm I had no idea what a haint blue porch ceiling was. I was born a Yankee but have lived in the south for over 40 years. A haint blue ceiling refers to the color used on front porches in a soft blue-green color. It wasn’t until I visited Charleston South Carolina years later, that I would see how popular and pretty the color was on many older homes in the area.
Painting a Haint Blue Porch Ceiling
After I painted my own front porch at Duke Manor Farm, I did some research on the history and benefits of painting a haint blue porch ceiling.
History of Haint Blue ceiling
Southerners have always painted their ceiling blue. This popular look has now made its way up North as well. For many, it’s just a tradition to paint the ceiling blue because generations in the family have done it. Other Southerners believe that a blue porch ceiling may have originated out of the fear of haints which are spirits of the dead. It is said to protect the house and the occupants of the house from evil. While I don’t subscribe to that reason, I just love the way the color illuminates throughout the day on my front porch ceiling.
Benefits of Haint blue ceiling
Keep your ceiling cleaner
Since painting the ceiling blue, it stays much cleaner. I have fewer cobwebs, bugs, and mud dauber nests in the nooks and crannies. Prior to painting the ceiling, I was constantly having to clean it. Now I don’t have to as often. They say the reason behind this is that bugs are fooled into thinking that the ceiling is the sky.
Open Air from SW
It provides a tranquil and relaxing vibe
Since blue tends to be such a calming color, it can extend the time you are relaxing on the front porch that much longer. Isn’t that what front porches were made for?
Watery from SW
It lightens and brightens your porch area
Light blue emulates the sky so it can give the appearance of a bit longer daylight. This is especially important as we approach the fall and winter season and the days get a bit shorter.
What are your thoughts on Haint Blue ceilings?
grateful
for a front porch to sit on
Love your home. So comfy for your family and guests.
The blue color does keep the bugs from “building” on the ceiling. My sister who lives in Central Florida will attest to this. 🙂
Being a Southerner, I find it funny when nonsoutherners find something we have done for many generations. Ofcourse it keeps the ceiling clean. I had my back porch ceiling painted blue here in Colorado. The painter was flabbergasted. However when he realized it was the blue paint that kept it clean he proceeded to paint his blue.
I’ve been waiting for the. Painter to come paint ours. Hopefully is schedule will free up soon! Can’t wait
So many shades of haint blue, what brand paint did you use? I would think with a small front porch I should go with s lighter shade.
Hi Laura, I’m a fellow Yankee and still am, 😉. The reason you stated makes complete sense to me. I happen to think it makes a porch dreamy.
We were supposed to have a front porch on this house. We were excited. I was happy we were going back to live where we started and I visioned a porch swing, whole works and the town put the cubosh on the plan, for variance reasons, boo. Still wish we had one.
Sorry for the rambling, was a big bummer.
Enjoy your weekend
Cindy
I have a very old farmhouse in central Texas. Our porch ceiling has always been blue. We recently repainted and usd SW Watery. It was the closest match to what was there.
If all goes well I am hoping to have a wrap around porch….and what is a wrap around porch in the South without a Haint Blue ceiling!