12 Tricks to Deal With Low Ceilings
Low ceilings? Here are a baker’s dozen of elements you can alter to give the appearance of a taller space
We are enamoured with height. Countless people travel the globe to stand in awe before towering natural and human-made monuments. Tall interior spaces evoke that visceral reaction as well, whether it’s Grand Central station in New York, the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City or the Taj Mahal in Agra.
In our homes, high ceilings lend a sense of grandeur on a smaller scale. But what if your ceilings aren’t that high and you’re starting to feel boxed in? The answer is simple: Cheat a little. You can create the perception of height without making your ceilings any higher. Use these 13 features to create the illusion of higher ceilings and help make a smaller space feel more open.
In our homes, high ceilings lend a sense of grandeur on a smaller scale. But what if your ceilings aren’t that high and you’re starting to feel boxed in? The answer is simple: Cheat a little. You can create the perception of height without making your ceilings any higher. Use these 13 features to create the illusion of higher ceilings and help make a smaller space feel more open.
2. Kitchen cabinets
The best way to make your kitchen ceiling appear higher is by bringing your cabinets all the way up to the ceiling. It doesn’t matter if you can’t access the top shelves on a regular basis; the aesthetic effect is well worth the investment.
The best way to make your kitchen ceiling appear higher is by bringing your cabinets all the way up to the ceiling. It doesn’t matter if you can’t access the top shelves on a regular basis; the aesthetic effect is well worth the investment.
3. Doors and passageways
One of the most effective ways to make your space feel more open and taller is by using full-height doors and taller passageways. Having lower passageways can really make your space feel oppressive.
Here’s how to maximise space in a passageway
One of the most effective ways to make your space feel more open and taller is by using full-height doors and taller passageways. Having lower passageways can really make your space feel oppressive.
Here’s how to maximise space in a passageway
4. Curtains
Hang your curtains directly from your ceiling to help to create the illusion of height. And by going with a ripple-fold detail on your curtains, you can emphasise that height even more with the consistent vertical detail.
Hang your curtains directly from your ceiling to help to create the illusion of height. And by going with a ripple-fold detail on your curtains, you can emphasise that height even more with the consistent vertical detail.
5. Paint
By painting your walls, baseboards and ceilings the same colour, you blur the lines of where your walls end and where your ceilings begin. If you think your wall colour is too dark for the ceiling, then dilute the wall colour with 50 percent white and try that on the ceiling instead.
By painting your walls, baseboards and ceilings the same colour, you blur the lines of where your walls end and where your ceilings begin. If you think your wall colour is too dark for the ceiling, then dilute the wall colour with 50 percent white and try that on the ceiling instead.
6. Mirrors
Use full-height mirrors wherever you can to create the illusion of higher ceilings. As every magician knows, mirrors are amazing at creating false appearances.
Learn how to make your home look bigger with mirrors
Use full-height mirrors wherever you can to create the illusion of higher ceilings. As every magician knows, mirrors are amazing at creating false appearances.
Learn how to make your home look bigger with mirrors
8. Chandeliers
When hanging a chandelier on lower ceilings, try to choose a light fixture that you can see through and that isn’t too dense. Hang it at least 36 inches above your dining room table to create space between your table and the light fixture, making the ceiling feel farther away.
When hanging a chandelier on lower ceilings, try to choose a light fixture that you can see through and that isn’t too dense. Hang it at least 36 inches above your dining room table to create space between your table and the light fixture, making the ceiling feel farther away.
9. Low furniture
By choosing low-profile furniture, you create the impression of higher ceilings. It’s especially important that furniture of the right scale be used for a space with lower ceilings. Low-slung backs on couches and chairs can produce dramatic effects.
By choosing low-profile furniture, you create the impression of higher ceilings. It’s especially important that furniture of the right scale be used for a space with lower ceilings. Low-slung backs on couches and chairs can produce dramatic effects.
10. Transoms
Transoms above doors and windows add a sense of height and allow more light in as well, which will make your space feel even more spacious.
Transoms above doors and windows add a sense of height and allow more light in as well, which will make your space feel even more spacious.
11. Feature walls
Orient your feature wall vertically. Don’t be afraid to do something daring in a space with a low ceiling. Just ensure that you don’t emphasise that low ceiling in the process.
Check out these stunning accent walls
Orient your feature wall vertically. Don’t be afraid to do something daring in a space with a low ceiling. Just ensure that you don’t emphasise that low ceiling in the process.
Check out these stunning accent walls
12. Declutter
Avoid cluttering rooms that have a low ceiling. Each item in the room will add to that feeling of being boxed in. Use inventive storage methods and keep your rooms tidy.
Read more:
Fool-Proof Tricks to Make a Small Living Room Look Bigger
Tell us:
Do you have any more clever solutions to make a space look taller? Share them with us in the Comments below.
Avoid cluttering rooms that have a low ceiling. Each item in the room will add to that feeling of being boxed in. Use inventive storage methods and keep your rooms tidy.
Read more:
Fool-Proof Tricks to Make a Small Living Room Look Bigger
Tell us:
Do you have any more clever solutions to make a space look taller? Share them with us in the Comments below.
By using tall, skinny bookshelves that go to the ceiling, you draw the eye upward and create the illusion of height.