Woodgrain
We all enjoy filling our homes with decorative elements and comfortable furniture, yet we often forget the importance of our ceilings. They can set the tone for your room and can completely change the way you view your space. So let us take a look at the different types of ceiling options before you build or renovate your home.
Conventional Ceiling
Decorilla
The most important thing to consider if you’re still in the construction phase is the height which should traditionally be at nine feet. The higher you go, the more spacious and brighter your spaces will feel. In basements, the clearance height is usually around eight feet which can create a sense of coziness, however, natural light is key to keep from feeling like a dungeon.
The most common ceiling is, conventional which is flat, smooth, and usually finished with drywall and paint. It's a perfect ceiling design for a modern and contemporary home to achieve a simple and minimalistic look.
Suspended Ceiling
Armstrong Ceiling
Also known as drop or false ceiling, the main purpose of this kind of ceiling is to hide the technical aspects such as the ductwork, pipes, wiring, and sprinkler systems. A suspended ceiling is a secondary lightweight structure that’s generally created from vinyl or wood and is placed below the main ceiling by one to four feet depending on the design and its architectural aspects. It can also help with the acoustics by buffering noise from water pipes or other sounds coming from the upper floor and help the lower room with heating and cooling costs. One important highlight of suspended ceilings is that they come in a wide variety of tile or slats sizes and it normally gives you the option of having access to electric or HVAC work in case of damage. The suspended ceiling can be plain, decorative, or just purely functional.
Tray Ceiling
Homedit
This type of ceiling adds visual interest to the space because of its raised central section which is about a foot higher. The contour of the tray ceiling is usually flat and indirect lighting can be added to create luxury and a sense of depth to the space. These kinds of ceilings are usually designed in living/dining rooms, master bedrooms, or spaces where you want to give more attention and can be complement by adding a statement colour.
Coffered Ceiling
Homestratosphere
Coffered Ceilings are a series of intersecting wooden panels that add depth to the space and create a unique identity. They are the opposite of simplicity; in fact, they are more detailed and make you want to stop and stare. You can often see this kind of ceiling in ancient buildings and public places as they require experts in carpentry and are costlier than other types of ceilings. If you want to go with a more traditional and elevated look, then perhaps a coffered ceiling will be the best option for you.
Cove Ceiling
Homedit
Cove ceilings are usually combined with tray ceilings and cans also have rounded edges, rather than sharp corners which kind of defines the space. It might cost a little extra to install a coved ceiling, but it brings a comfortable and cozy atmosphere and makes the space feel airier. They are also a great way to bring some indirect and soft light in. If you want to have a more sleek and minimal design, then a coved ceiling could be an option for you.
Sloped Ceiling
A sloped ceiling is an inclined surface that usually follows the roofline. It starts at a certain height and rises till the peak of the roof. This type of ceilings is usually found in houses where they have a pitched roof and the space below it is typically known as the attic room. Although this creates a very cozy look, you should keep in mind how to layout your furniture in a way that you can get the most space with a clear height. Some attic spaces have a very low ceiling height that it’s considered unlivable and is frequently used for storage only, yet it’s always better to have more space than no space, right?
Cathedral or Vaulted Ceiling
Houzz
The Cathedral ceiling, which is a type of vaulted ceiling, has a central point that is higher than the two equal sloping sides. This type is usually used in cathedrals in Europe or in very large homes and its aim is to draw attention to the ceiling design which is at maximized heights. These central arches are usually built out of wooden scaffolding and different shapes can create different types of vaulted ceilings such as a cathedral, barrel, and domed. One thing to keep in mind is the cooling and heating costs of having this kind of ceiling as they can be more expensive than others.
Exposed Ceiling
Laurin Jeffrey Team
An exposed ceiling’s main purpose is to show off the structure, the pipes, ductwork, and all other architectural aspects. Industrial buildings prefer this type of ceiling for cost-efficiency purposes. Additionally, some commercial space designers who want to show modern industrial vibes intentionally use the unfinished type and make it part of their design concepts. However, it’s uncommon for houses to use this type since the rooms above get noisier as well as less insulated.
Now that you have an idea of different ceiling types, there are a few tips to remember in designing a ceiling.
1. Style: Consider the type of space and decide your interior’s style. Whether you’re designing a living room, bedroom, bathroom, or other areas, remember which style you want to achieve in your design. As mentioned before, ceilings can play an important role in the design of your space. For a modern look, you can add drop ceilings with recessed lights on them. For a classic look, you could go for a coffered ceiling or a cove one with decorative moldings on the edges.
2. Height: The next most important step is knowing your ceiling height. If you have a low ceiling, consider painting them in lighter colors. It will make the space appear roomier and more capacious. In basements, for example, you could use decorative or suspended tiles to cover the different levels. If you have high ceilings, you could perhaps add-drop ceilings with flushed lighting, or add wood beams, or use accent painting. Or you can even add some texture if you want to create more drama. Going for darker colors can also create a cozier feel.
3. Position: After understanding your space, knowing the ceiling height, and selecting the design style, you could move on to determining the positioning of the lighting. This will expand your ideas on how you can design your ceiling or the other way around. You could decide the type of ceiling and position the lighting accordingly. Just make sure your ceiling plan and your lights are in a cohesive form, so you end up with an extraordinary ceiling design. Always note that even a very well-designed ceiling can still look dull without the proper lighting on it. For instance, for a tray ceiling that has an elevated central inset, you could hang a whimsical chandelier from CB2, sculptural lighting in a glass shade or finish from West Elm, or simply a statement pendant light from Wayfair in the middle of your living room.
4. Last touches: A few last tips before deciding your ceiling design, is adding some architectural features to it. For instance, you can add decorative wooden slats, floating screens, artwork, corrugated metal, or wallpapers. You will certainly get a unique ceiling by adding one or two of these features to certain rooms in your home.
So have you made your decision on which way to style your ceiling yet? It’s not that difficult especially if you have taken into consideration the style that the room imposes and the rest of the aspects we just discussed.
Ceiling designs are surely applicable in all rooms of your houses and are combined with lightings which will give a warm ambiance into your living spaces.
We love every aspect of a well-designed ceiling design and hope these were helpful tips. We can also help you in designing your ceilings through some styling tips in our previous blogs about lighting and some of our favorite finds.
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Emily Henderson