High ceilings are usually associated with grandeur and opulence. This is one of the main reasons why most high-end luxury houses, as well as modern apartments and upscale penthouses, usually boast tall interiors that draw the eye upwards. However, not every home is blessed with high ceilings. In case your home falls in the same category, you should know that it’s nothing to fret over as there are quite a few ways to make a ceiling look higher without doing any major renovations.
Interior designers around the globe have certain tricks up their sleeves for adding visual height to a room. So, if you are beginning to feel boxed in or are struggling to decorate your home in a way that doesn’t make the ceiling look lower than it actually is, we have put together a few tips on how to make a ceiling appear taller.
Ways to Make a Ceiling Look Higher
Here are some clever ways to counteract low ceilings that all homeowners should be familiar with.
- Opt for full-height doors and tall windows
- Hang curtains to make a ceiling look higher
- Pay attention to the lighting
- Choose the right paint for the ceiling
- Buy tall, skinny bookshelves
- Install kitchen cabinets up to the ceilings
- Add vertical stripes to the walls
- Hang a full-length mirror in the room
- Only buy low-profile furniture
Let’s further discuss each of these tips on how to make a ceiling look higher.
Opt For Full-Height Doors and Tall Windows
If you are renovating your house or if it’s still in the construction phase, you can consider opting for full-height doors to make your home feel more open. A taller door frame will also create the illusion of a taller ceiling while giving your space a more extravagant look.
The same goes for passageways and windows. While lower passageways can create the feeling of being boxed in, small window frames can obstruct your view of the outside world along with restricting the amount of natural light your home receives.
Installing tall windows will not bring in more light and improve ventilation but they will also make a ceiling appear taller.
Hang Curtains to Make a Ceiling Look Higher
Hanging floor-length curtains is one of the most effective ways to make a ceiling look higher.
If your home has a low ceiling, remove the curtain rods in your house and reinstall them a few inches below the ceiling. Make sure to hang curtains that touch the ground or are only an inch or two above it for adding visual height to a room. The vertical ripple-fold detail on your curtain can also help your ceiling look taller than it really is.
The material and style of the curtain can vary depending on your preference, budget and home décor. You can take a look at the best types of curtain fabrics and their prices in Pakistan for further details. In case you are having a hard time choosing between different types of window treatments, check out this comparison between curtains and blinds to determine which one of them would be a better choice for your home.
Pay Attention to the Lighting
Lighting plays a huge role in setting the tone of your home décor and creating an ambience. In addition to that, strategic placement of light fixtures can create the illusion of a taller ceiling. Therefore, interior designers recommend installing vertical wall sconces to fake higher interiors as the light being cast up and down from these fixtures can trick the eyes into believing your ceilings are twice as tall.
Similarly, if you are hanging a chandelier in your drawing room or dining room, make sure it is either see-through or not very dense. Moreover, hang it at least 36 inches above the centre or the dining table to make the ceiling look taller.
Installing recessed lights and flush mount light fixtures are also among the best ways to make a ceiling look higher.
If you are confused between different types of light fixtures, don’t forget to take a look at our comprehensive guide on the best type of lighting for each room in your home.
Choose the Right Paint For the Ceiling
Did you know you could make a low ceiling look higher with paint? In order to do so, you must paint your baseboards, walls and ceilings in the same colour. This will blur the lines of where the end of your wall meets the ceiling. Most experts suggest choosing lighter hues to make a room appear larger and brighter. However, if you want your walls to be a darker shade, consider diluting the paint by adding at least 50% white to the chosen paint colour.
Furthermore, always use a matte finish for your ceilings instead of the usual satin or semi-gloss finishes. Here is a detailed explanation of different types of paint finishes for each room in your home.
Buy Tall, Skinny Bookshelves
Vertical elements always draw the eye upwards, thus adding visual height to a room. If you are someone who likes to read or possesses a substantial collection of books, investing in a tall and skinny bookshelf can kill two birds with one stone. Not only can they add value to your home décor as well as add to the storage space, but they will also make a ceiling appear taller than they are.
Tall open-shelves filled with books, small potted plants and other decorative items can also have the desired effect.
Install Kitchen Cabinets Up to the Ceilings
Are you looking for the best cabinet design ideas for your kitchen? If you are struggling with how to make your kitchen look taller, extending your cabinets all the way up to the ceiling is one of the most effective and clever ways to counteract low ceilings.
It is important to point out that the gap between your ceiling and top of the cabinets is already a wasted space. Most homeowners use this extra space to store old boxes and other junks, which only makes the kitchen look cluttered. Therefore, you can add a row of ready-to-install wooden or aluminium cabinets on top of your existing row of cabinets to add to their height. It will also give you additional storage space.
Add Vertical Stripes to the Walls
In case you prefer wallpapers over paint, make sure to choose a design with vertical stripes and lighter colours to make ceilings look higher.
As you may already know, vertical designs can make a room appear taller and more spacious. While this effect is a bit difficult to accomplish with paint, hanging wallpapers with a dramatic contrast between the stripes can be the perfect solution to your low-ceiling woes.
Here is all you need to know about different types of wallpapers available in the market. Moreover, you can also check out our complete tutorial on how to wallpaper your room like a pro for some useful DIY tips.
Hang a Full-Length Mirror in the Room
Mirrors are one of the most important elements of home décor. If you place them correctly, mirrors can reflect natural and artificial light to make your home look brighter along with creating an illusion of a bigger space. This is one of the main reasons why people place mirrors behind couches and big pieces of furniture to make a room look a lot less cramped.
Using full-height mirrors in your home can also help create the illusion of a taller ceiling by adding visual height to the room. You can place them in your bedroom, living room, hallway or any other place you find suitable.
Make sure to take a look at how to choose the right mirrors for your walls to learn more.
Only Buy Low-Profile Furniture
Low-profile furniture also helps create the impression of taller ceilings.
If you are planning to refurnish your home or a fan of minimalist décor, buying couches and chairs with lower backs and low coffee tables can be beneficial in creating the illusion of taller ceilings. When it comes to decorating homes with low ceilings, it is important to purchase furniture on the right scale to counteract the problem.
Most contemporary furniture available in the market fits that criteria, though depending on your personal taste and space requirements, you can also get these pieces custom-made.
To conclude, vertical stripes, recessed lighting and hanging floor-length curtains are some of the easiest ways to make a ceiling look higher. You can also make a low ceiling look higher with paint, tall cabinets and bookshelves, low-profile furniture and full-length mirrors.
If you know any other clever ways to counteract low ceilings in a home, feel free to share them with us on blog@zameen.com.
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