One of the most commonly neglected aspect of a space is the ceiling, which is concerning because it’s so important!! When done correctly, a ceiling can make a space feel bigger, smaller, warmer, more comfortable, can provide acoustic control, add architectural interest/drama, or even reinforce a spacial layout.
Here are some general ceiling rules i’ve learned over the years:
–Lighter colors make a room feel taller…not necessarily white, but a significantly lighter color than the wall. I recently convinced my parents to paint their ceiling pale blue to compliment a lighter color in their backsplash. It looks amazing!!
–Darker colors and lower ceilings can make a space feel more cozy {if done to the extreme, it feels more claustrophobic}. Imagine yourself in a big restaurant like Panera. People are typically drawn to areas where there are dropped ceilings and comfortable chairs…a more den-like atmosphere.
–Varying ceiling heights, colors, and textures adds a crazy amount of interest in a space. When people are attracted to the interior of a commercial space in particular, it boosts business because that place remains on the forefront of their memory. It really makes someone feel welcome when they can see the amount of thought you’ve put into the design of a space.
–Ceiling finish contributes to the lighting and acoustics of the entire space. Shiny ceilings reflect light and sound…making them an awful choice for a commercial space. Ceiling tiles are great at absorbing sound and providing functionality in a commercial space especially because the HVAC and other mechanical elements should to be hidden but also need to be accessed regularly.
Some ideas for making residential ceilings more interesting…
1) Add a second level of crown moulding by choosing a narrower band to accent the main moulding.
2) Paint the ceiling a color…not necessarily a bright color (unless it’s going to be your accent “wall”)…but something that will set the architectural details (like moulding) apart and really highlight them. White ceilings and white moulding really tend to hide all the money you spent putting crown moulding up! Also, if you have tray ceilings, try painting the inside of the tray an accent color to draw the eye up to the architectural feature…it’s all about making the most of the money you spent on the space!!
3) Add some trim, paint, or even a ceiling medallion around a hanging chandelier or pendant light. It will not only highlight the light, but it will also ground it in the ceiling, making it feel more substantial.
(google)
(awelldressedhome)
ohmigod. (pinterest)
you could even use them to create an accent wall like this one…
(cozybliss)
Finally, here are some impressive images of inspirational ceilings!
house and home
houzz
remain simple
house of turquiose
LOVE wallpaper :)
XOXO
