Photos of suspended ceilings in an apartment, original design ideas

What is the average ceiling height in an apartment?

What is the importance of the ceiling height in an apartment? Significant, since hinged and tensioned ones imply an indentation from the capital level of up to 30 centimeters (in places where communications and insulation are laid, if we are talking about the top floor).

Standard height is 2.4 - 2.5 meters. In new buildings, this figure is increasingly being increased to 3 meters, but this affects the cost of each square meter of living space.

But we must also remember about those apartments that were built during the existence of the USSR (the so-called “Khrushchevka”). There was no standard used at all. Thus, ceilings appeared in the range from 220 to 260 centimeters. Moreover, there are known cases when, even in one house, the height of the main ceiling varied in different apartments. And in such cases, adjustments will be needed.

This is done for the following reasons:

in the future it will be possible to install tiles without cutting (when facing walls, for example);
for using traditional design variations in the interior;
to provide the room with greater visual appeal.

But we should not forget that in many cases the ceiling can be visually made higher without changing its actual level. These are the so-called alternative glossy films (tension type).

Video: installation of a stretch ceiling of complex shape

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Soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment with a suspended ceiling

One of the main conditions for achieving comfort and coziness in an apartment is the absence of extraneous sounds.

This includes the sounds of cars and screams from the street, neighbors’ renovations and other unpleasant noises. And if street noise can be minimized by installing high-quality doors and windows, then solving the problem with neighbors is a little more difficult. In this matter, soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment with a suspended ceiling can play a significant role.

The ceiling height in the apartment is standard

Regarding the optimal ceiling height, it varies from 250 to 300 centimeters. Now there are higher options, but this is not necessary for apartments (the exception is a two-story apartment, which was made by connecting two previously separate ones).

What does the height of the ceiling influence when choosing a material? It depends on:

thermal insulation;
soundproofing;
option for laying communications;
vibration isolation.

It must be taken into account that the higher the height, the higher the volume. Accordingly, in apartments with a high ceiling one cannot do without forced ventilation (in principle, an ordinary cooler connected to the main air duct is sufficient). The most fashionable trends in ceiling design in our material:.

Modular ceilings

Their surface consists of slats, rectangles or cassettes.

Types of modular ceilings:

Cassette
Rack and pinion
Lattice
Solid ceilings are frames covered with plasterboard. Their seams are treated with putty, and the surface is covered with paint.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

No need to prepare the surface. Even on particularly crooked ceilings, the result will be perfect.
Fast installation, especially of modular ceilings.
Long service life.
Possibility of installing additional insulation.
The ability to hide all communications under the ceiling: pipes, wires, lamps, ventilation. You don't need to cut concrete for this.

Minuses:

The minimum distance from the base is 10 centimeters, which will be bad for low ceilings.
Plasterboard ceilings block access to communications unless a special hatch is made.
New buildings may develop cracks.

Plasterboard ceilings are suitable for almost all types of rooms with high ceilings. With a ceiling height of 2.5 meters, it is better to opt for a tension ceiling. Modular suspended ceilings are especially popular in office spaces for their quick installation and access to hidden communications.

What types of ceilings are there in an apartment?

Previously, the ceilings in all apartments were simply covered with wallpaper. Cheap and cheerful. But such options will not work if, for example, the ceiling is not level (and Soviet builders made such mistakes quite often). In this case, it is necessary to install a suspended structure with alignment to a given level. The usual option is a plasterboard ceiling that will be supported by metal profiles. However, this material can also be replaced with wood and plastic.

Also, we should not forget that today they also use:

pasting with expanded polystyrene (also known as polystyrene foam);
lining;
PVC panels;
Chipboard panels;
QSB panels;
raster and cassette suspended ceilings;
fabric finishing (as well as film, which is all conditionally grouped into a suspended ceiling).

What ceilings can be considered the best? The most environmentally friendly ones are made of wood. The most reliable are lining or even ceramic tiles (their thickness is made smaller than for walls, to reduce the weight of the structure). The simplest and cheapest are suspended ceilings made of plasterboard or expanded polystyrene. And the most “fashionable” ones are lining from the same lining, or decorating the ceiling with beams in combination with thermal insulation (but this solution is for private houses, not apartments). And each of these options is suitable for DIY installation.

Advantages and disadvantages of different finishing options

The choice of how to decorate the ceiling depends entirely on your imagination and capabilities. Any design solutions, no matter how bold they may be, will perfectly complement the overall interior of a nursery, bathroom or hallway, if you adhere to the basic design style and take into account the functional features of the room.

When choosing a method for finishing the ceiling, also take into account the complexity of the work, the overall cost of finishing work and the performance characteristics of the selected material.

Bleaching

The traditional way to finish a ceiling is to whitewash it, when the surface is covered with a special solution of chalk or lime. The result is a snow-white ceiling if no color is added to the solution, which is suitable for absolutely any interior style. Which color of the whitewashed ceiling is preferable, the saturation of the shade can be decided during the work; perhaps a brighter shade will be better for the nursery, and snow-white for the bathroom. The main advantage of this type of design is the low cost of material and minimal costs for finishing work. There is no need to invite a specialist to whitewash the ceiling; you can do the work yourself.

This method has many disadvantages. Firstly, it has a short service life - less than 2 years. Secondly, complex preparatory work - the surface must be leveled and plastered. As a result, you need to get a monochromatic surface, for which the solution is applied very densely, in several layers. What can we say about intolerance to water - any evaporation leads to loss of appearance.

Whitewashed ceilings look more familiar in the kitchen or bathroom. But it is precisely because of high humidity and high temperatures that whitewashing ceilings will quickly lose its attractiveness.

In the kitchen, such a ceiling will quickly turn yellow from the abundance of fumes and absorb all the odors. In the bathroom, excess moisture will lead to the formation of damp spots, dampness and mold. Whatever interior style is used for a children's room or bedroom, a light, whitewashed ceiling will always be appropriate and relevant.

Related article: Natural wooden ceiling in the house

Coloring

The most popular method of finishing the premises of a house or apartment, be it the ceiling in a nursery or bedroom. Allows you to implement a wide variety of design solutions, combine different shades to highlight or emphasize an area in a room or interior features. From a technological point of view, whitening and painting ceilings occurs in the same way. But it is much easier to care for a painted surface.

The disadvantages of painting the ceiling also include a short service life, complex preparatory work and the possibility of cracks and chips on the painted surface.

For rooms with unstable temperatures and excess moisture - such as kitchens and bathrooms - it is better to paint the ceiling. Since both the kitchen and the bathroom are most often small in size and the unevenness of the ceiling is not too noticeable, preliminary leveling may not be necessary. And all the irregularities will be hidden behind the original painting. But for a child’s room, a painted ceiling is most preferable - it can be washed if necessary.

In the children's room, bedroom and living room, you can make a combined ceiling design. Decorate part of the surface with a suspended plasterboard ceiling, and paint the rest of the space in a single color. It’s up to you to decide what the ceiling will be like in these rooms, but you shouldn’t paint it completely in one color. Whatever the idea, the living room is always a spacious room. Use your imagination, decorate the ceiling with bright colors, rich drawings or paintings. In the bedroom you can use pastel shades and create a sophisticated design. And what kind of theme can you come up with for decorating a nursery, using rainbow-colored ceilings or creating magical figures above your child’s bed!

Wallpapering

Using wallpaper to decorate the ceiling is an original way to decorate the interior of a room. There is no special type of wallpaper for covering the ceiling. Therefore, it is recommended to use denser wallpaper in light or beige colors from paper options. The ideal option would be non-woven wallpaper for painting, then you can change the design of the room without re-gluing the ceiling and this is very convenient for a children's room.

This finishing option is cost-effective, since the cost of wallpaper is low, and apart from glue and a roller, you don’t need anything else for the job.

The main disadvantage is the difficulty of doing the gluing work yourself. You will need at least one partner. In addition, the service life of such material is quite short and after two to three years you will have to re-paste it. And this is not the only negative. Paper wallpaper requires certain room conditions - a minimum of moisture, drafts, heavy fumes or strong odors. Before pasting, it is better to make the surface smooth, otherwise all the irregularities and flaws will become visible. As an alternative, use liquid wallpaper. They are applied to the ceiling in the form of a decorative plaster layer, which means that the surface itself does not need to be leveled beforehand.

Wallpapering the ceiling is relevant for living rooms. But this option should not be used for the bathroom and kitchen. And within a month the wallpaper will begin to peel off, swell from moisture and eventually fall off completely, but it will be quite appropriate in a nursery.

For the bedroom and children's room, use wallpaper with a neutral pattern. And for the living room, silk wallpaper in bright colors with an original pattern is suitable.

Ceiling tiles

Until recently, the adhesive method of decorating the ceiling with special tiles made of PVC or polystyrene foam was the most popular. Various in shape, embossed or with a glossy surface, in various color variations, ceiling tiles have conquered more than one heart and the ceiling of a consumer’s home.

Related article: Chandeliers for suspended ceilings - tips for choosing

To apply tiles, you do not need to specially level the surface. Thanks to their volume and relief, they will hide all imperfections and visually make the ceiling even.

The weight of the tiles is very light, and a minimal amount of glue is used for gluing, so you can handle the gluing yourself. The cost of the material is low and the tiles are easy to care for.

The disadvantages include the material’s dislike of direct sunlight, which causes the tiles to quickly lose their color. In addition, it is impossible to hide communications and wires under such tiles. If desired, ceiling tiles can be painted in different colors and this is a good option for a children's room. This type of design can be done in any room, even in the bathroom and kitchen. The unpretentiousness of the material and ease of care contributed to its popularization.

Suspended structures

One of the popular types is the suspended ceiling. For it, you can use panels made of plasterboard, PVC or wood materials; tiles with a mirror surface or lining are rarely used.

This type of finishing is ideal for an apartment, private house or office space. Does not require preliminary leveling of the surface.

A suspended ceiling involves the use of any decorative material that is installed on a metal profile structure. You can not only hide all communications and wires, but also decorate additional lighting in the room in an original way. The suspended ceiling is based on the metal profile structure itself, and the material must be selected taking into account the specifics of the room. For example, decorative panels made from wood materials are often used for the living room. This ceiling design option will highlight the classic interior, especially if the living room is dominated by furniture made of noble wood.

Drywall . Using this material, you can create structures of varying complexity and functionality with smooth shapes and circles, in several steps and tiers. The main advantage of a suspended ceiling made of plasterboard is the low cost of the material and the ease of installation of the slabs. The main disadvantage is that you won’t be able to create a complex shape or multi-tiered structure yourself; only an invited specialist will solve the problem.

Related article: Selecting a chandelier for the interior: from simple to bold design

Metal plates or cassettes. The material is reminiscent of ceiling tiles - it can have a smooth or embossed outside, plain or painted in different colors. Caring for a suspended cassette ceiling is easy - the plates can be easily removed and wiped with a damp cloth. Calmly tolerates temperature changes and high humidity. The specific gravity of cassette elements is light, despite the fact that they are made from an alloy of various metals. The main disadvantages are high cost and low level of sound insulation.

Rack plates. For suspended slatted ceilings, aluminum or steel plates are most often used. Due to its elongated shape, this ceiling is recommended for small spaces to visually enlarge the room. The material is lightweight and easy to install and maintain. Color variations and various reliefs on the surface of the plates will harmoniously fit into and complement any interior. The main disadvantage of a slatted ceiling is that the plates are too thin. Over time, under the influence of various factors, they can become deformed. Since the slatted plates are very long, access to communications that are hidden by the ceiling structure is difficult.

Stretch ceiling

Stretch ceilings are still the most expensive option. Their design, shape and construction vary in complexity and execution. Multi-tiered structures, in the form of a tent or arches, with artistic painting or photo printing - it all depends on your capabilities and imagination. If you can still install a suspended ceiling yourself, then for tension structures you need a specialist and knowledge of the characteristics of the material with which you will have to work. In addition, it is somewhat more difficult to maintain such a ceiling.

Due to their quality characteristics, suspended ceilings are the most profitable design method. They are not afraid of moisture and fire, are waterproof and very durable. They can be used for any type of room.

High price and complex installation work are the main disadvantages of a stretch ceiling. In extreme cold, the tension material loses its elasticity and may rupture. And the intense heat causes the fabric to stretch too much and sag.

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Interesting: what ceilings are in fashion now?

As for fashion trends, the clear favorite is multi-level ceilings made of the same plasterboard with an additional finish for a glossy finish (for this you can use varnish or just film). But making such ceilings yourself and without experience is quite difficult.

Although construction companies have already taken care of this, producing practical multi-level ceilings as a set. There you won’t have to worry about laying the second level of the profile, since everything is done in a box.

That is, it is enough to lay metal profiles along the perimeter, as well as transverse ones, and install the prepared ceiling on them.
Our article will help you build a multi-level ceiling yourself:.

Ceiling finishes for:

wood (lining or beams);
plastic (PVC panels);
film (stretch ceilings);
fabric.

However, the last two will require additional noise insulation (acoustic screens), due to which the installation cost slightly increases. There are also multi-layer ceilings. Visually they resemble siding. Yes, and they are mounted in the same way. They include sound insulation, thermal insulation, moisture protection, and a decorative front part.

Design of PVC suspended ceilings

The decorative effect of suspended ceilings is manifested when creating the design of apartments decorated in both classical and modern styles. Variants of the classics include matte plain panels, moreover, they can also have a pattern applied to them.

But more often they are used to create multi-level structures, complemented by complex integrated lighting. Designers use both matte structures and stylish glossy ones with equal success, with which the ceiling turns into a magic mirror. The canvases imitate silk fabrics, leather, wood and even metal.

6. Multi-level composition of creamy chocolate shades in the living room.

7. Dining room design in loft style, vinyl film in traditional white color.

8. Vinyl ceiling with backlit effect and printed pattern.

PVC stretch ceilings with a glossy structure visually expand the space, making it brighter and lighter. Multi-level designs allow you to combine canvases of different colors and structures, while they will look perfect without losing their shape. The film does not sag and cracks do not appear on it. Using rigid frames, you can create arched vaults in the apartment and connect them with columns. A popular wave shape is smooth curves, on which a peculiar play of light shadows is formed.

9. Multi-level ceiling made of glossy PVC film with spotlights.

10. Option for decorating a living room in a modern style.

A stretch ceiling can be installed in a room of any size and for any purpose: living room, children's room, dining room, bathroom. With its help, the design of your apartment can be made unique, regardless of the chosen design style. This is a universal material; it is good in the form of a matte canvas, when it resembles a painting on canvas, and in the form of a mirror surface, reflecting a fantastically colored reality.

11. Living room ceiling made of black PVC film with mirror reflection.

12. Glossy film in a modern kitchen.

13. The photo shows an example of the design of the upper part of the balcony with lighting.

Choosing a coating for ceilings in an apartment

If you don’t want to create a false ceiling, and there is a plan to simply embellish its main base, then you can use the good old whitewash. This is a variation of plaster, but the coating is applied through a compressor.

Benefits of whitewashing:

cheapness;
durability;
the dimensions of the ceiling do not matter (in terms of area);
minimal difficulty in application (you can even use a sprayer).

But the main disadvantage of such a ceiling is its lack of resistance to moisture. If this is done in the bathroom, then it will have to be changed almost every year. And it won’t protect against leakage either.

Practical options for bathroom ceilings here:.

Eco-friendly ceilings in the apartment

Eco-friendly types of ceilings are widespread in European new buildings. Mostly we are talking about the use of fiberboard and chipboard panels (as well as QSB as a base, which will be covered with film or fabric on top). Examples of such ceilings include lining and wood paneling.

However, in reality they turn out to be not so environmentally friendly, since they are impregnated with primers and pesticides. And they begin to evaporate when the material is heated to 32-35 degrees. For many regions of the Russian Federation, this is not an option, since in summer the temperature rises even higher.

Eco-friendly ceilings are relevant to use in the following cases:

We paint it all on top with textured paint;
this is an attic (attic, residential floor);
Ordinary wallpaper will be glued on top.

That is, they are radically inferior only in visual terms. As for reliability, you can compare them with the same drywall or plastic. Only the latter can be chosen - both cheaper and easier.

Options for ceilings in an apartment with unevenness

There are also types of apartments in which the ceilings are uneven. The easiest way to deal with such options is to install a suspended structure that will be supported by profiles and belts. But the finishing itself should be light.

Ideal for these purposes:

gypsum;
drywall;
Styrofoam;
mineral wool slab;
Chipboard.

Alignment is carried out to a single level throughout the entire apartment. Yes, after this there will be a gap from the main ceiling. The average height is 10-20 centimeters - all communications, wiring, new pipes can be placed there (if they are planned to be replaced).