Low ceilings are a common frustration for homeowners and renters. They can make rooms feel small, determine whether a space has an open or closed feel and even affect the way light works with your space. But don’t fret — when your ceilings are low, the options for making them feel higher don’t involve an expensive renovation.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Paint | Use light colors or high-gloss paint to reflect light and create an illusion of height |
| Lighting | Install flush-mounted or recessed lights; use wall sconces or uplighting |
| Windows | Maximize natural light with large windows; add transom windows above doors |
| Vertical elements | Use tall bookshelves, vertical striped wallpaper, or floor-to-ceiling curtains |
| Furniture | Choose low-profile furniture to create more visual space above |
| Wall decor | Hang art higher on walls or use tall, narrow mirrors |
| Built-ins | Extend cabinets and other built-ins to the ceiling |
| Color blocking | Paint lower part of walls darker, upper part lighter |
| Doors | Use taller doors and doorways |
| Ceiling treatment | Paint ceiling a quarter way down the wall for a heightening effect |
Ceiling height is a huge factor in how a room feels. It’s also true that if it’s high, it can tend to feel grand, airy and open, while if it’s low, the opposite. A lower-ceilinged room may feel smaller, more claustrophobically closed in and less welcoming.
The Difficulty with Low Ceilings
But low ceilings have their own set of design challenges. They constrain vertical space for decor, keep lighting fixtures from being placed in some areas, and can in some cases make rooms feel dimmer. And homeowners know all too well how difficult it is to find solutions that balance function and form when it comes to these spaces.
The Good News
The good news is that you don’t have to tear down walls or move out and renovate your space to make it look better. There are design decisions you can make that will give the illusion of extra height. Let’s cut to the chase and go over the solutions on how to make a low ceiling seem higher.
First Level: Treating Low Ceilings as an Issue
Psychological Effects of Short Ceilings
- Space Perception: Low ceilings can create a more intimate feel to a room that may not translate as well to open-plan space25.
- Effect on Mood: It is suggested in studies that high ceilings in expansive environments can facilitate creativity and lead to relaxation, while low ceilings can feel restrictive and stifling.
- Lighting Challenges: Lower ceilings can affect how natural light travels in and out of the rooms, creating a less open or airy feeling.
Design Challenges
- Not a Lot of Vertical Space: You can’t install every decoration, such as hanging lights or tall furniture.
- Mistakes that compound: Some design decisions, such as heavy furniture or dark colors, can make a room with low ceilings feel even more stifling.
Familiarity with these common challenges allows you to start making the right decisions that will help solving those problems in your particular community.
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Paint and color techniques
The right shades of paint and color combinations can work wonders to create the illusion of height.
Use Light Colors
Light colors — white, off-white, light pastels — are your best friend when facing low ceilings. They assist in reflecting light and fuzzing the line between walls and ceilings, making the room feel more spacious and taller.
Pro Tip:
Go for hues such as Benjamin Moore White Dove or Sherwin-Williams Alabaster for a clear, airy feel
Color Washing or Drenching
Try painting the walls, trim and ceiling all the same color or slightly different shades of the same color. This technique reduces contrasts and generates a seamless, elongated appearance.
- For example, a soft gray hue on the walls and ceiling can lend a modern, unified vibe.
High-Gloss Paint
High-gloss or semi-gloss paint on the ceiling will reflect light and add depth. This reflective surface helps the eye perceive added height.
Note:
- This trick can be a bit tricky, especially if your ceilings are imperfect as glossy paints will emphasize irregularities.
Avoid Horizontal Lines
Dark crown moldings or plate rails can divide the room in half, emphasizing the low ceilings. Instead, make moldings and trims light and simple.
Strategic Use of Lighting
Lighting is vital in forming a feeling about a space. The right fixtures and placement can help mitigate the effects of low ceilings.
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Flush-Mounted and Recessed Lighting
Choose ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures that lie flush with the ceiling or are recessed into it. These fixtures keep the room from feeling cluttered and draw the eye up.
Uplighting and Wall Sconces
Uplighting, like wall sconces that shine light upward, can give the illusion of higher ceilings as light bounces off the walls.
- For a stylish yet functional look, hang sconces on both sides of a mirror.
Maximize Natural Light
Natural light naturally makes a space seem larger. Look into larger windows, patio doors or even transom windows to pull the eye upward and brighten the room.
4FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT AND SELECTION
The furniture in your room can either highlight or decrease the height of your ceilings.
Low Profile Furniture
Opt for furniture that sits closer to the ground. That opens up more wall space, which also makes the ceiling seem farther up.
- Examples: Low-slung sofas, platform beds and sleek coffee tables.
Vertical Storage Solutions
Buy tall bookcases, cupboards or built-ins that reach to the ceiling. This pulls the eye upward, leading to a feeling of height.”
Avoid Bulky Furniture
Oversize furniture can overwhelm the space and make it feel smaller. Opt for pieces with clean lines and minimalist construction.
Window Treatments
Window treatments can easily help you create the illusion of height.
Hang Curtains High
Hang curtain rods as close to the ceiling as possible, even if your windows are small. This creates the appearance of taller windows and loftier ceilings.
Floor-to-Ceiling Drapes
Choose long drapes that go from the ceiling to the floor. This vertical flow gives the space an elegance and height.
Choose Lightweight Fabrics
Sheer or light fabrics help the room feel open and airy, whereas heftier materials can cause it to feel more claustrophobic.
Wall Decor Tips
You can also make the ceiling look high by wall decorations.
Vertical Artwork Placement
Hang artwork a little bit higher than eye level to pull the eye upwards. Particularly effective are tall, narrow pieces.
Gallery Walls
Stack frames vertically and create a gallery wall. This gives an optical illusion that makes you look taller and adds interest to your outfit.
Mirrors as Illusions
Hang tall, narrow mirrors that reflect light and make the space seem deeper. There are a few tricks in the world of interior design, one of which is. Mirrors achieve this!
Changes in Architecture
If you’re willing to do some minor renovations, architectural tricks can go a long way toward making your ceilings look higher.
Extend Cabinets and Built-Ins
The full-height cabinetry raises up and meets the ceiling. This fills in any gaps and makes you have that seamless, smooth look.
Raise Door Frames
If you have door frames, think about raising their height. Mahon commented that taller doorways naturally make the walls feel longer and, with it, also heighten the sense to look up.
Opt for Minimal Crown Molding
Skip heavy lateral or ornate moldings that emphasize where walls terminate. Instead, opt for slim, basic trims.
Treating for Wood Destroying Insects
The planks can also have a role to play in making a ceiling feel higher.
Light Flooring Colors
Additional Accessories Light floors, such as blonde wood or light tiles, can make the room feel open and airy.
Avoid Heavy Rugs
Dark, heavy rugs can make a room feel compressed. Instead, go for lighter, smaller rugs so the space feels open.
Georgie and Goofi Patterns Optical Musics
Patterns can cleverly control a space’s mood.
Vertical Stripes On the Walls or Curtains
Vertical stripes sense, additionally elongate the room, making ceilings seem larger.
Avoid Busy Patterns
Complex or too detailed pattern curtains could make the room overwhelming and result it to make the place look smaller. Focus on simple, clean designs.
Should I Do It Myself or Call a Pro?
Cost-Effective DIY Tips
Small things like a coat of paint, moving around some furniture or changing out your light fixtures can transform a space without spending a lot of money.
When to Hire Professionals
For larger projects, like raising door frames or putting in transom windows, professional help is recommended to make sure the work is done well, and safely.
Conclusion
Whether you’re talking paint colors, lighting, furniture or window treatments, there are a million ways to create the illusion of a higher ceiling. These are some easy, inexpensive tips that can really change the look of your space.
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