Making a low ceiling beautiful and engaging by covering it in rich wood paneling will make your patio pop. Homeowners typically want vaulted ceilings because they make a room feel more grand. If you don’t have the height you’re looking for, spice up your living area with a little extra detail. Contrasting elements will always be an attention-grabber, and this farmhouse-style home with its lovely black and white patio proves it.
Living Large with Low Ceilings: Design Tips to Expand Your Space
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Published: February 20, 2024
Updated: January 2, 2024
While many dream of soaring 9 to 10-foot ceilings in their new homes, practical considerations such as budget constraints or the desire to avoid the excess space and energy costs associated with high vaults and atriums often lead to opting for lower ceilings. So, the question arises: how can you make a home with ceilings under 9 feet feel spacious and inviting?
Our loyal readers and expert designers have come together to share their successful strategies for optimizing living spaces with standard ceiling heights of 7 to 9 feet. At Soul and Lane, our mission is to both educate and inspire, providing you with the wisdom of seasoned designers to craft your ideal living space. We’re here to guide you in transforming a seemingly compact area into a bright, open, and welcoming environment.
We’ll delve into various tips and tricks, from selecting the perfect curtain lengths to choosing complementary moldings or trims. These are just a few of the many insights we offer as you embark on enhancing your home’s atmosphere.
02 of Embrace Large Windows
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In reader Elizabeth’s home, she has just under 8-foot ceilings. To make them appear larger and more engaging, she opened up her space as much as possible by embracing her large windows and painting her walls white. A coveted feature of most homes is light and space, so if space is an issue, opt for open windows that will bathe your room in light.
03 of Low-profile Lighting
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Though large light fixtures are exciting and unique, a room with low ceilings can benefit from low-profile fixtures. Designer Nauka recommends that “recessed or extremely low-profile lighting at the correct color temperature works wonders.” Whether you prefer a bright LED light with cool tones or a warmer yellow glow, choosing the color that amplifies the square footage in your space can work to your advantage.
04 of Minimal Window Coverings
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Similar to the recommendation to embrace large windows, it is advantageous to leave your windows uncovered. If your privacy allows it, put the blinds and curtains away. Especially on a window that has wide, beautiful trim, coverings are not always necessary and can ensure the room receives plentiful light all hours of the day. Just remember, having lights on in the evening will cause your neighbors to be able to see into your home, so be aware.
05 of Partial Vaulting Into Attic
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In a two-story home or property with an attic, you may have the option to vault your ceilings. Contributor Michelle embraced this recommendation by “vaulting our bedroom on the second floor and extending it into the attic. I think it’ll make a big difference.” In this photograph, the bedroom has a small vault over the windows that adds a unique layer of dimension to a room with otherwise low ceilings. It accentuates the curved transom window beautifully.
06 of Decorative Wall and Ceiling Trim
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Sometimes, homes with low ceilings just need a dash of sophistication and creativity. Take this living room for example. The walls have been elevated with wainscotting and chair-rail in a soft blush. In addition, ornate crown molding differentiates the walls from the ceiling, and thin white beams have paneled the ceiling.
The paint choices are important too. “To create an airy illusion, paint the ceiling white to bounce light and make it appear higher. Ditch dark hues that absorb light and create a closed-in feel,” shares interior designer Ellen Matthews. The ceilings may be low, but all of the thoughtful details that have brought this room to life make it so you’d never notice.
07 of Hang Curtains High
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The best-known hack for making ceilings appear taller is hanging a curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible. 84-inch curtains will typically cover 7-foot windows, but if you want to give the visual effect of a larger room, buy 96-inch curtain panels to draw the eye upward. Homeowner Karri used this same trick in her 1993 ranch-style home and said it helped “modernize it.”
08 of All-white Walls
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We’ve seen thus far how windows can significantly affect a room’s openness and airiness, but what about wall color? It is widely known that white or cream paint helps a space feel larger. Reader Elizabeth recently painted all her walls and ceilings white. In her experience, it “helps with the illusion of higher ceilings.” If you are a fan of color, include varying hues in your furniture, rugs, curtains, or fireplace mantel.
09 of Keep Furnishings Light
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Keeping furniture light in color and size will ensure that a room with low-lying or slanted ceilings is free from the feelings of suffocation. There are so many options of furniture for those with limited square footage. “Choose shorter and chunkier seating to create the illusion of a taller space,” advises interior designer Neha Kaimal. You can also select white, cream, beige, or even glass items, as the transparency will give the illusion of a smaller footprint.
10 of Tall Baseboards and No Crown
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Crown molding is undeniably gorgeous, but it does accentuate the crease between the ceiling and the wall. A professional tip from one of our designers, Pam, recommends forgoing crown molding, as it makes a space feel smaller. Instead, include taller, white baseboards for a decorative accent. If you look closely at this modern living room, the baseboards that run along warm hardwood floors are about two times the height of a traditional baseboard, which amplifies the overall height of the space.
11 of Utilize Mirrors
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Mirrors are an interior designer’s best friend! These decorative floor mirrors gracing the internet with their reflective prowess are undeniably modern and fitting for any space. Whether you want to amplify the space of a dining room, sitting area, or bedroom, you’re sure to find one with a frame that matches your style. Ornate, minimalistic, or rustic, these mirrors make a room feel much larger and taller than they realistically are and showcase the best of your remaining decor.
12 of Add Beams
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We’ve seen how bright white walls effectively maximize a room with low ceilings, but on the other hand, so does ornate trim and warm accent colors. Wood-paneled ceilings are notorious for making a room feel larger, and so it is fitting that a ceiling painted black with exposed beams would do the same. It may feel gutsy to take an 8-foot ceiling and attach beams to the bottom because it would further inhibit the space above your head, but it can do the opposite, creating the façade of a room with taller white walls.
Low ceilings are a challenge, as it’s not a simple process to raise ceiling heights without significant work and cost. These simple tricks are much more budget-friendly and can help you create a sense of spaciousness that your home may lack. Give them a try and see how simple changes can make a world of difference!
