Decorating and Design - Shallow ceilings....ideas?
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rantipoler
10-04-06, 04:08 PM
Have just bought an older home with low ceilings....7ft both top and bottom stories. Any suggestions on how to make them "appear" visually taller - i.e. floor/wall color combos, textured vs not on the ceilings, stripes, thinner molding etc? It is a lake house if that helps the overall impression one might try to make. Thanks
twelvepole
10-04-06, 05:03 PM
Keeping ceiling color light will give the illusion of height. Using a shade or two lighter than wall color can also give the illusion of height. White ceilings will stop the eye where the wall color ends and will make the rooms feel like they have a lid on them. Painting walls and ceiling the same lighter color is another popular option. Color in decorative accents and furniture will keep the eyes away from the ceiling. Using minimal furniture and avoiding over-sized pieces will provide the illusion of greater space. Mirrors will reflect light and also provide a sense of spaciousness. Lighting ceiling evenly from below gives the illusion of greater height.
Placing a small crown molding about six inches below ceiling and painting lighter color on molding and wall above the molding and on the ceiling is another trick to make ceilings appear higher. Many decorators, however, recommend avoiding the use of crown molding as it defines the ceiling.
Painting baseboards same color as the wall will provide the look of greater height. Light colors and the lighter shades of warm colors tend to work best in rooms with low ceilings.
Window treatments can also create the illusion of height. Mount rods above the window frame at ceiling height. Top treatments can also draw the eye up. Vertical stripes can provide the illusion of height.
Placing a small crown molding about six inches below ceiling and painting lighter color on molding and wall above the molding and on the ceiling is another trick to make ceilings appear higher. Many decorators, however, recommend avoiding the use of crown molding as it defines the ceiling.
Painting baseboards same color as the wall will provide the look of greater height. Light colors and the lighter shades of warm colors tend to work best in rooms with low ceilings.
Window treatments can also create the illusion of height. Mount rods above the window frame at ceiling height. Top treatments can also draw the eye up. Vertical stripes can provide the illusion of height.
Annette
10-05-06, 07:55 AM
ditto to most everything ^^^she^^^ said! :thumbup:
with the addition of: i would try to avoid anything horizontal, such as valances over windows. try to only use drapery side panels (or just shades alone), tall armoires, bookcases, etc as opposed to low horizontal-lined styled furniture (think 70's style).
vertical stripes on the wall would be good, even just a subtle tone-on-tone stripe would help draw the eye up & down.
but since it's a lake house, i wouldn't fight it too much. it is what it is. i'm sure it seems cozy so maybe just play up the cozy cottage feeling.
and i believe it's cool colors that make spaces seem bigger, not warm colors - :confused: but ANY light pastel - warm or cool - would be better than a medium to dark color.
with the addition of: i would try to avoid anything horizontal, such as valances over windows. try to only use drapery side panels (or just shades alone), tall armoires, bookcases, etc as opposed to low horizontal-lined styled furniture (think 70's style).
vertical stripes on the wall would be good, even just a subtle tone-on-tone stripe would help draw the eye up & down.
but since it's a lake house, i wouldn't fight it too much. it is what it is. i'm sure it seems cozy so maybe just play up the cozy cottage feeling.
and i believe it's cool colors that make spaces seem bigger, not warm colors - :confused: but ANY light pastel - warm or cool - would be better than a medium to dark color.