High ceilings can make a home or space appear more spacious and grander. However, they can also pose a design challenge. A lot of homeowners struggle with how to make the most of the vertical space in their homes. It’s because having high ceilings means having a fair amount of unused space over the 8-foot-high mark. While they can make a room feel grand and luxurious, high ceilings can also make a space feel cold and empty. But with the right design strategies, you can use your high ceilings to create stunning and unique living spaces.
In this article, we are going to give you tips and ideas on how you can make the most of high ceilings. These include choosing the right colors, lighting, decorations, and furniture pieces. Whether you are renovating your existing space or designing a new one, we are here to help you create a beautiful and functional room that takes full advantage of its vertical space.
Install Upper Windows
When your home doesn’t have much wall space, there is limited natural light that can enter your home. But since you have high ceilings, you have a unique opportunity to allow extra light into your space. Installing floor-to-ceiling windows in big spaces like yours could cost a lot. But by installing transom windows that sit above existing windows or doors, or clerestory windows, which are above eye-level on a second story, you will be able to enjoy more natural light and airiness. But if you can afford floor-to-ceiling glass windows, go for it as they will look lustrous and modern, and add dramatic, stunning light to your home.
Hang Light Fixtures
The lighting scheme you choose can make a statement on the whole ambiance of your home. Therefore, it is essential to give it some time and effort to choose the right type and style of light fixture. When you have a high ceiling, you do not have to worry about people bumping their heads into the light fixture. Therefore, you’ll be able to choose the right ones for your home.
A high ceiling can be complemented by a chandelier, which can add elegance to living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. When you strategically place a chandelier in a room, it can make a connection between the ceiling and the lower side of the room. Also, instead of floor lamps, your rooms with high ceilings can benefit more from hanging or recessed lights.
Hang Artwork and Pictures High
Most people hang artwork and pictures at about eye level. However, when you have a high ceiling at home, you have so much more wall space to work with. Therefore, you need to think higher. Hanging taller artwork and pictures, such as long tapestries or oversized artwork can automatically draw people’s eyes upward, expanding the space in your home and giving a sense of awe. Make use of the space on the high parts of the wall by hanging art and other decorative items. You can create a gallery-style wall that runs the whole height, or you could also hang something large high up on the wall.
However, keep in mind that whatever you hang should match the theme, décor, or style of the rest of the room. Whether you choose one large décor or several small ones, a decorated wall will surely help draw the eye of your guests upward and will make the space not feel empty.
Hang Window Treatments at Ceiling Height
No matter how tall the windows are in your home, if you have high ceilings, it is better to hang your curtains at ceiling height. It’s because if you bring them lower, it will create a partition in the wall and make the upper area feel cold and lonely. Doing this will need a lot of fabric, but it will provide a dramatic effect on your living space and make the area look fantastic. Also, when hanging long curtains, choosing a solid color is better as patterned ones may look overwhelming when used at this size.
Use Vertical Storage or Shelves
Many homeowners chose a home with high ceilings as they want the grand, lofty space. If you have the same reason, you probably do not want to fill that open space with a lot of things. However, if all the rooms in your home have high ceilings, it is a good idea to invest in some kind of vertical storage unit or shelves. For instance, you can install multi-story bookshelves in one room to hold all the books in your home. In addition to that, you can also utilize taller cabinets and shelves to store tech and kitchen tools to prevent your tables from being cluttered.
Place Mirrors Strategically
For homes with tall ceilings, using mirrors is also a good idea. They can catch and reflect light, creating an illusion of increased openness and space. Like other wall hangings, placing your mirrors up high when you have tall ceilings can give them a greater chance of collecting and reflecting more light. They can make your space look more dazzling.
Add Some Architectural Details
A lot of homes with high ceilings have architectural details, such as beadboard or exposed beams. Therefore, if your high ceiling does not have one, you can consider adding some. Note that this can be costly, but adding architectural details to your high ceiling will help it feel more connected to the rest of the space. In addition to that, these can also add depth and character to plain spaces.
Put Some Creativity Into Wall Colors and Accents
Large rooms are more forgiving of creative design. Today, neutrals are very popular. But when you have high ceilings at home, you should strive to do something different with your paint color. Lighter and paler hues can give the space a lighter and more spacious ambiance. However, that doesn’t mean you have to stick with light blue and white colors. If you prefer a light palette, try to look into different light-colored wallpapers, particularly those with unique and interesting textures.
Darker colors, on the other hand, can create a striking environment and increase coziness in a room, particularly in a well-illuminated space that feels cold and empty. Since your ceiling will not feel low, you can choose to paint it with a darker tone, such as charcoal or rust-brown. This way, you’ll be able to cut back on the feeling of hollow space.
Incorporate Tall Furniture Pieces in Your Space
Adding some tall furniture pieces in a room with a high ceiling can help draw the eye upwards and make use of the vertical space. You can try incorporating tall bookshelves, armoires, or cabinets that reach toward the ceiling. These pieces can provide enough storage space while filling the vertical space in the room.
You can place tall furniture items along walls or in corners to avoid blocking views and creating a cluttered feeling in the room. Keep in mind that when placing furniture in a room with high ceilings, you should maintain balance and proportion by considering the overall scale of the room. By adding tall furniture pieces to your space, you’ll be able to take advantage of the vertical space while creating a functional and stylish room.
Conclusion
High ceilings can definitely add a sense of majesty and spaciousness to a room, but they can also be challenging to style or design. But by following the tips we’ve shared in this article, you’ll be able to make the most of the vertical space in your home and create a stunning and functional living space. We hope this article helped you learn more about how you can make the most of high ceilings.