11 Chic Alternatives to False Ceilings
Look beyond the traditional and discover a world of exciting alternatives to false ceilings
False ceilings have a way of lending a decorative edge to classic spaces. Ornate mouldings, stunning cornices, soft recessed lighting and polished wood ceiling panels are just some of the time-honoured embellishments associated with false ceilings. While false ceilings are tried and true ways of instantly uplifting a home, they don’t necessarily have a monopoly on great ceiling design. In this article, we spotlight an array of styles that give close competition to the traditional false ceiling. From timber panels and wooden overhangs to dimpled concrete ceiling slabs and stained glass panels, these homes give a whole new spin to ceiling design.
2. Metal tiles
Burnished embossed metal tiles transform this ceiling into an expanse of scintillating light and take up much less vertical space than a false ceiling would. The subtle subdued design gives a textural lift to the room and a matching cornice serves to soften sharp edges and light shadowy corners.
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Burnished embossed metal tiles transform this ceiling into an expanse of scintillating light and take up much less vertical space than a false ceiling would. The subtle subdued design gives a textural lift to the room and a matching cornice serves to soften sharp edges and light shadowy corners.
Browse more images of ceilings
3. Wooden overhangs
This sprawling open-concept space is overarched by timber overhangs that are reminiscent of a herringbone design. The arrow-shaped wooden rafters skew in length as the ceiling progresses, warping the ceiling and giving the impression of spread-out accordion bellows. The rafters and trusses are a far cry from the typically flat look of a customary false ceiling, and act as elaborate decor accents.
This sprawling open-concept space is overarched by timber overhangs that are reminiscent of a herringbone design. The arrow-shaped wooden rafters skew in length as the ceiling progresses, warping the ceiling and giving the impression of spread-out accordion bellows. The rafters and trusses are a far cry from the typically flat look of a customary false ceiling, and act as elaborate decor accents.
4. Shiplap coffered ceiling
A shiplap coffered effect in wood is a simple way of inviting warmth and is frequently used false ceiling alternate. Some shiplap designs, depending on the density of the wood ceiling beams, can also offer sound-locking acoustic benefits. This minimalistic Pune living room by StudioHu’māne is accessorised with unidirectional wood ceiling beams that are given visual variety with a coffered pattern.
A shiplap coffered effect in wood is a simple way of inviting warmth and is frequently used false ceiling alternate. Some shiplap designs, depending on the density of the wood ceiling beams, can also offer sound-locking acoustic benefits. This minimalistic Pune living room by StudioHu’māne is accessorised with unidirectional wood ceiling beams that are given visual variety with a coffered pattern.
5. Starry night sky
Acoustic panels can instantly elevate the audio and aesthetic qualities of a room. This subtle beige home theatre is enveloped instarry splendour, thanks to overhead fibre-optic acoustic panels that glitter like a star-spangled night sky. Unlike false ceilings, acoustic panels come in a range of dynamic designs.
Take a look at gorgeous ceiling decoration ideas
Acoustic panels can instantly elevate the audio and aesthetic qualities of a room. This subtle beige home theatre is enveloped instarry splendour, thanks to overhead fibre-optic acoustic panels that glitter like a star-spangled night sky. Unlike false ceilings, acoustic panels come in a range of dynamic designs.
Take a look at gorgeous ceiling decoration ideas
6. Corrugated steel ceiling
This industrial-themed space is a lesson in how signature factory elements can be repurposed into charming bedroom displays. Corrugated steel panels run the length of the midnight-toned ceiling, offsetting the matte black palette with shiny surfaces that seek to bounce light around. Corrugated panels can be a faster, easier way to give a ceiling a facelift than resorting to a false ceiling installation.
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This industrial-themed space is a lesson in how signature factory elements can be repurposed into charming bedroom displays. Corrugated steel panels run the length of the midnight-toned ceiling, offsetting the matte black palette with shiny surfaces that seek to bounce light around. Corrugated panels can be a faster, easier way to give a ceiling a facelift than resorting to a false ceiling installation.
Browse through more images of ceiling designs for bedrooms
7. Repurposed skylight
An upcycled wheel-shaped skylight, with its glass panes removed, lends a glamorous touch to this subtle vanilla eating area. It is likely that the skylight has been paired with moulding elements so as to fit in with the rectilinear shape of the ceiling. The fact that this skylight has a past gives the room a story and a personality, making it a preferred choice over a newly installed false ceiling.
An upcycled wheel-shaped skylight, with its glass panes removed, lends a glamorous touch to this subtle vanilla eating area. It is likely that the skylight has been paired with moulding elements so as to fit in with the rectilinear shape of the ceiling. The fact that this skylight has a past gives the room a story and a personality, making it a preferred choice over a newly installed false ceiling.
8. Mirror tiles
This charcoal slimline kitchen offers a futuristic feel, thanks to the fractal mirrored tiles that have been installed to look like precarious ceiling suspensions. Since the tiles sit directly on the natural kitchen ceiling, they allow more elevation than a typical suspended false ceiling, so the room looks taller and deeper.
This charcoal slimline kitchen offers a futuristic feel, thanks to the fractal mirrored tiles that have been installed to look like precarious ceiling suspensions. Since the tiles sit directly on the natural kitchen ceiling, they allow more elevation than a typical suspended false ceiling, so the room looks taller and deeper.
9. Stained glass roof
Backlit or skylit stained glass ceiling panels can breathe lightness and airiness into a room. This living space is a fitting example how. Two sets of glass window panels, each divided into four parts, carry panes decorated with geometric patterns that span the colours of the rainbow. The broad wooden ceiling panels in a framework serves as a bold design statement, providing a welcome break in the ceiling’s otherwise seamless finish. Due to the fact that they are fitted directly into the ceiling, the panels are not as deep as they would be if they were embedded into a false ceiling. In turn, they save on precious vertical space.
Backlit or skylit stained glass ceiling panels can breathe lightness and airiness into a room. This living space is a fitting example how. Two sets of glass window panels, each divided into four parts, carry panes decorated with geometric patterns that span the colours of the rainbow. The broad wooden ceiling panels in a framework serves as a bold design statement, providing a welcome break in the ceiling’s otherwise seamless finish. Due to the fact that they are fitted directly into the ceiling, the panels are not as deep as they would be if they were embedded into a false ceiling. In turn, they save on precious vertical space.
10. Acoustic grass panels
A design rooted in concrete and steel is given a soft and natural edge with ceiling-suspended acoustic boards enrobed in locally sourced grass mats. The boards not only make for an arresting focal point, but also serve to absorb the reverberations in the room. They also make a great alternative to a false ceiling, allowing the natural ceiling to breathe, while also providing the eyes with an alternative aesthetic.
A design rooted in concrete and steel is given a soft and natural edge with ceiling-suspended acoustic boards enrobed in locally sourced grass mats. The boards not only make for an arresting focal point, but also serve to absorb the reverberations in the room. They also make a great alternative to a false ceiling, allowing the natural ceiling to breathe, while also providing the eyes with an alternative aesthetic.
11. Randomised lighting
This oblong-embossed, two-toned ceiling is composed of acoustic panels that create a randomised lighting effect, courtesy the plethora of light-grabbing ceiling grooves. Given the audio-enhancing properties of the panels, they offer a natural advantage over false ceilings that deliver exclusively in the aesthetic department.
Read more:
6 High and Mighty Wooden Ceiling Designs
11 Spiffy Designs for Ceiling Mouldings
Tell us:
Which of these ceiling designs would you choose for your home? Tell us in Comments below.
This oblong-embossed, two-toned ceiling is composed of acoustic panels that create a randomised lighting effect, courtesy the plethora of light-grabbing ceiling grooves. Given the audio-enhancing properties of the panels, they offer a natural advantage over false ceilings that deliver exclusively in the aesthetic department.
Read more:
6 High and Mighty Wooden Ceiling Designs
11 Spiffy Designs for Ceiling Mouldings
Tell us:
Which of these ceiling designs would you choose for your home? Tell us in Comments below.
Giving the impression of a perfectly symmetrical lunar landscape, this dimpled ceiling by The Orange Lane is a creative work of art, formed by impressing upside-down taslas (shallow metal basins used by Indian construction workers to carry materials on their heads) into concreting plates prior to casting. The ceiling makes a fitting accompaniment to the modern cage pendant lamps, quirky furniture and trad floor tiles.
Take a tour of the rest of this eclectic Goa vacation home