Ceilings: The Most Ignored Territory on the Home Front

Photo Credit:  Houzz, Dillard Design Group, LLC

    The most ignored space in the home is the ceiling.  Homeowners spend oodles and oodles of time and money decorating their walls and floors with wallpapers, window treatments, paint, rugs, tile, and hardwoods but rarely elect to do anything with the ceiling.  The ceiling represents a great opportunity to add an additional design element to your space.  Here are five ceiling treatments that will add a bit of pizzazz to your home.

Painted Ceilings
Most people decide to leave their ceilings white, as they fear painting it will make their space seem smaller.  But painting your ceiling can give your space a warm cozy feel.  Dark colors will make the ceiling feel heavy and cave-like, as visually they make the ceiling seem lower.  Other ideas for painting include ceiling murals and stripes.  Murals add whimsy and visual interest.  And stripes can widen or elongate a space depending on the direction in which they are painted.

Medallions
Medallions are an easy way to add a distinctive design element to a room without too much fuss.  Medallions serve to anchor the chandelier and are available in a wide variety of shapes and styles.  Some medallions can be painted to match the finish of the chandelier or on a painted ceiling, can be left white to add a bit of contrast.  Ceiling medallions come in a variety of sizes from 4” to 36”; the size best suited for your needs typically depends on the size of the room.  A smaller medallion typically works best in a smaller room.

Coffered Ceilings
A coffered ceiling consists of beams that are installed along the ceiling in a grid-like pattern.  The coffers are formed from the parts of the ceiling that are recessed by the beams.  These ceilings typically require a higher ceiling height as the beams can take up a foot of available ceiling height.  It is very important to consider the size and shape of your room when planning a coffered ceiling, as any lighting will need to be installed within the recessed portions of the ceiling.  The size and shape of the room is also important in creating a fairly symmetrical beam pattern.  Coffered ceilings tend to be very architectural and add an air of formality to the spaces in which they are constructed.

Tin Ceilings

Tin ceilings were all the rage during the late 1800s through the early 1900s.  They lost their appeal for a while but recently there has been a resurgence in the popularity of faux tin ceilings.  Tin ceilings add an extreme amount of character and a vintage quality to any space. 

Wood Paneled

A wood paneled ceiling consists of installing grooved plywood, beadboard, or wood planks along the ceiling surface.  A paneled ceiling helps to draw the eye upward and across the room and provides an immediate feeling of coziness and warmth.