Not all homes are built with high ceilings, and in some cases, we need ways to make a room look taller. Tall ceilings were historically a perk of the wealthy. Although this is not true anymore, taller ceilings do add a feeling of grandeur to a space. But, for those of us who have lower ceilings, whether your house is an older cottage or a new-build built with low ceilings, there are ways to make your ceiling look taller.
When you are trying to make a room look taller, the idea is to draw the eye upwards. The more you can draw the eye up, the more it will create the illusion that the ceiling is higher than it is.
Here are my best tips to make your room look taller.
9 Ways to make a room look taller
Use a plain cornice
The first way to make a room look taller is to add a cornice. While a detailed cornice that extends down the wall more than it does across the ceiling will make a room look shorter. A cornice that is simple in its design and that extends further on the ceiling than it does on the wall will make the room look taller. This is because while a detailed cornice will stop the eye as it moves up the wall to the ceiling, a plain cornice will let the eye continue towards the ceiling.
Paint the ceiling the same colour
Another way to ensure that the eye does not get disturbed at the junction between the ceiling and the wall is to paint the ceiling the same colour as the walls. I know that there may be some worry about painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls and that painting a ceiling any colour other than white will make the room feel smaller. But this isn’t strictly true. If the ceiling and walls are different colours, with the ceiling being darker, it will make the room feel small, but using the same colour will make the room feel taller. Choose a light colour for a room with a fresh feeling and a darker one if you want to create a cosy space.
Add floor-to-ceiling curtains to the windows
Creating a vertical line within the room is another great way to encourage the eye to continue up to the ceiling, creating the feel of a taller space. Adding floor-to-ceiling curtains to all the windows in the room will make it feel taller as they create a vertical line. Using a plain fabric will also add to this, as there will not be a pattern that could interrupt the line.
Using vertical lines in the wall coverings
Wall coverings are another way to create a vertical line within the room. Wallpaper with a vertical line will create this. If you choose to use wallpaper, it can be as subtle or bold as you want. It also doesn’t need to be an obvious vertical line. A floral pattern that has a vertical repeat would be a way to use a vertical line that is more subtle. Using panelling like a tongue and groove is also an excellent way to create a vertical line without the wall coverings of a room.
Add low-backed furniture to the room
Although this may not always be the most practical solution for everyone, low-backed furniture is an excellent way to make a room feel taller. Using a sofa or dining chair that has a low back instantly adds the illusion of height and space to a room. If you have chosen to use a modern style in the room, there are many different options for low-backed furniture. If you have gone with a traditional style, this may be slightly more difficult, but there are still many options for you to use. A Chesterfield sofa is a great classic piece of low-backed furniture that will work with a lot of different design styles.
Use an ombre wallpaper
An ombre wallpaper can be used to make a room feel taller. Using a pattern that is lighter at the top and darker at the bottom can give a room the illusion of height and space. A mountain range motif is a great one to use in this instant. However, an abstract ombre wallpaper will work just as well to make a room look taller.
Avoid low pendant lights
Using a low pendant light in a room with a low ceiling will only highlight the low ceiling. In a room with lower ceilings, it is better to use a lighting fixture that is flush with the ceiling. This will help create the feeling of height within the room. Suppose you would like to use decorative lighting within the space. In that case, it is a better choice to go with wall lights or table lamps as this will still give the room a cosy atmosphere without impacting the height of the room.
Add in vertical artwork
Another way to add a vertical line to draw the eye upwards is to use vertical artwork. This means that the artwork you hang is taller than it is wide. While using one piece of art is best, this could also mean using several different pieces or framed photos in the same frame, stacked to create the illusion of a taller piece of art.
Use a floor-standing mirror
If the space you are working with is smaller, as well as having a low ceiling, a floor-standing mirror is an excellent way to make the room not only feel taller but also bigger and brighter. This is because the mirror will bounce light around and trick the eye into thinking that the room extends further into the mirror.
This post has been all about ways to make your room look taller.
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