The first solution is color
Based on the ability of the human eye to perceive different colors differently, you can “fool” yourself. In this case, you need to use the effect of removing objects and surfaces painted in cold colors. This means that if the ceiling is painted or covered with wallpaper in pale green, blue, gray-blue, gray or pearl tones, then visually it will appear higher.
Another solution could be to create “infinity” on the ceiling, that is, the sky. There are three options here: you can paste wallpaper on the ceiling that imitates a blue sky with small light clouds, you can order artistic painting in the same style, or you can install a stretch ceiling, which will convey heavenly purity and spaciousness as naturally as possible.
The sky-shaped ceiling allows you to visually increase the height of the room
When simulating the sky on the ceiling, the boundaries of the vault of heaven can also be lowered onto the walls. If the walls and ceiling are covered with the same wallpaper, then the eye will not be able to see where the walls end and where the ceiling begins. This solution to the problem of a low ceiling is best suited for a bedroom and children's room.
If the room is low: how to visually increase the height of the room
Apartments with low ceilings were built during the Khrushchev period, and now it is very difficult to make modern, expensive renovations in a small, low room. There are a lot of design solutions that are not suitable for owners of apartments with low ceilings.
How can you not make repairs with a low ceiling?
- It is necessary to abandon bright and catchy surfaces, which make the room look even smaller. Dark and overly colorful ones are also unacceptable. The best option is a white ceiling.
- Multi-tiered ceiling structures, which seem larger than the entire room, also look bad.
- Wide baguettes and plaster molding are only suitable for walls with a height of at least 3 m; they make a lower room even lower.
- A large chandelier on chains is inappropriate for a low ceiling; it visually makes the room smaller.
- A carpet with a large pile visually raises the floor level, so the ceiling surface appears lower.
- You should not make the ceiling and walls too contrasting and do not glue baguettes and all kinds of dividing planes on top.
A low ceiling surface will attract less attention if it is diverted to the floor and walls. One option is to decorate the walls in dark colors and make the flooring light. Or make a catchy accent on the wall in the form of photo wallpaper or a beautiful panel. You can try a combination of two types of finishes on the walls: panels or tiles on the bottom, and wallpaper, tiles of a different color or paint on top. This option will help to visually raise the ceiling and move apart the walls in the kitchen or other small space.
You should not hope that one option for visually increasing the ceiling surface will give the desired effect. It is necessary to use several methods in combination. Perhaps some method is not liked or not suitable for a good reason. But there are a lot of techniques, simple and unobtrusive, that can transform a low room beyond recognition.
Mirror ceiling - infinity of reflection
A very effective technique is to install a mirror ceiling. However, the installation technique is quite complex and requires a lot of strength, patience and accuracy to work with fragile and breakable mirrors. The suspended ceiling in this case is a metal frame on which mirror elements are laid.
A mirrored ceiling very effectively increases the height of the room.
Safer and easier to install are suspended ceilings in which mirrored plastic panels are used instead of real mirrors.
Stretch glossy ceilings are the most modern solution, however, they give not a clear, but a blurry image. When ordering a suspended ceiling, you need to focus on light-colored canvases.
White glossy stretch ceiling is an excellent and inexpensive solution for increasing the height of a room
The installation of a suspended or suspended ceiling, of course, eats up a few more centimeters of precious height, but this is compensated by the effect of floor reflection, when you create the feeling of a second floor above your head with a transparent floor.
Walls to the rescue
By choosing the right color and geometric solution for the walls, you can raise the ceiling. First of all, preference is given to vertical stripes on the walls. This can be wallpaper or a combination of colors, and the stripes should not appear in contrasting colors.
Vertical stripes on the walls visually increase the height of the ceiling
If the choice fell on the striped design of the walls, then the transition between the ceiling and walls should be as invisible as possible. The use of wide molding in this case is absolutely inapplicable - the ceiling should not look cut off from the wall.
Vertical orientation can be expressed not only in stripes. Floral ornaments, leaves and flowers should be oriented upwards. This rule applies to any geometric pattern.
How to increase ceiling height with curtains and tulle
Curtains and tulle are the most common decorative options for window spaces.
In addition to decorating the room, protecting it from the sun and unwanted views, textile window decoration also plays a big role in visually defining the size of the room. Tips for decorating windows with textiles to visually increase the ceiling height:
- Place curtains on both sides of the window, avoid decorating only one side.
- Attach curtain rods as high as possible.
- When choosing curtains and tulle, use colors and patterns that increase the height of the ceiling.
- When sewing curtains individually, add vertical elements to the overall design: ruffles along the side seams, frills, ribbons.
- Curtains and tulle should not be short. The best option is to the floor or even longer, so that part of the fabric lies carelessly on the floor.
- If the room has suspended structures on the ceiling, then leave a small opening near the window to place the cornice in it. Thus, the cornice will be hidden by the suspended ceiling, and the impression of airiness will be created.
- Light fabrics help visually increase the overall space.
- Lambrequins will not interfere with the perception of ceiling height if they are not very wide.
Play of light
When the ceiling is of insufficient height, it is strictly contraindicated to install large hanging chandeliers on it. They must be pressed to the ceiling as close as possible, have an elongated shape, be light and airy, so as not to attract the eye. For a suspended ceiling, it is best to use spotlights.
If you decide to hang a chandelier, it is better to choose something like the one in the photo above. It is pressed to the ceiling and does not clutter up the space of a low room
If you use lamps only along the perimeter of the ceiling, then its center will not fall into the light spot, which means that the question of whether it is low or high will remain open. At least the pressure from the ceiling will definitely not be felt.
Built-in spotlights located around the perimeter of the room allow you to visually increase the height of the ceiling
Wall decoration will help expand the room
Surely, you know how to visually increase the height of ceilings using vertical stripes. For low rooms, such a pattern on the wall will be a good solution. Now you will learn about some other secrets of indoor wall decoration.
Have you decided to use stripes on the wall? Let them be moderately wide. It is better to refrain from contrasting stripes and lines. Sometimes only one wall is striped - it all depends on the specific design and area of the room. Any other elongated patterns and geometric shapes can easily cope with the role of stripes aimed at increasing height.
When renovating your apartment, you shouldn’t give up on walls painted the same tone. Discreet pastel colors will do their job - the ceiling will become noticeably higher.
Unusual decorative elements and original furniture will help you fill the room with brightness and creativity.
We continue to increase the ceiling using design techniques. You can create the visual illusion of a high ceiling covering by adding a few centimeters of wallpaper. Do you like a creative approach? Invite a good artist to paint the walls and ceiling. When choosing a picture, focus on the subject, which is located at a great distance.
Furniture matters too
It would seem, what does furniture have to do with the ceiling? But it turns out that in order to raise the ceiling and furniture you need to choose something special.
A small sofa contrasts with tall cabinets and allows you to visually raise the ceiling
Lightness, vertical elongation, openness and transparency of furniture pieces will help relieve the pressure of a low ceiling. If, in addition to tall cabinets and shelves, you put chairs and a table in an oriental style, then they will seem simply miniature, and if something seems small, it means there is something big nearby - in this case it will be the ceiling. In the art of design, through contrasting combinations of colors and sizes, styles and accessories, completely unimaginable results in transforming space are often achieved.
You can also use low furniture, as in the photo below, this technique also creates the effect of increasing the height of the room.
A striking example of the use of low furniture, which allows you to visually increase the height of the room
Additional secrets to illusory increase in room height
You can make ceilings visually higher with the help of lighting, furniture, curtains and other decorative elements. Get ready to learn little tricks that will help you get rid of the oppressive feeling of ceiling pressure.
Lighting
In a low room, the chandelier should be flat, or better yet, avoid ceiling lighting altogether, giving preference to wall lamps. If you plan to install a suspended or suspended ceiling, then instead of a chandelier, buy spotlights. They can be placed around the perimeter of the ceiling, leaving its middle a little darkened. The cornice lighting looks impressive. It makes the ceiling higher and even allows you to change the color of the room lighting. Don't forget about local lighting. Spotlights built into surfaces (cabinets, shelving) and directed upward will optically increase the height of the ceiling.
A Japanese chandelier looks great in a small room
Furniture
In a low room, you should not install bulky or too tall furniture; give preference to low and small models. If you have narrow and tall cabinets, then do not rush to get rid of them. Tall but narrow furniture combined with miniature furnishings, such as Japanese-style coffee tables, will create the illusion of very high ceilings. For a room or kitchen with a low ceiling, it is better to order light-colored furniture. It looks especially impressive with the same white walls and ceiling. Do not clutter a low room under any circumstances.
Low furniture will suit you
Curtains and blinds
Curtains should be long - starting from the ceiling and reaching to the floor. Choose translucent, light-colored curtains and hang them so that the fabric gathers into even folds. A good idea is to decorate the window with roller blinds or curtains with a vertical pattern. In a low kitchen it is recommended to hang vertical blinds.
Hang curtains near the ceiling
Decorative elements
The best decor to create the illusion of high ceilings is one that stretches toward the ceiling rather than “spreading” horizontally. For example, vertical canvas paintings and narrow posters are suitable for a low room. Large mirrors visually lift the ceiling. Narrow floor vases will help decorate the room and make it taller. You don’t have to be afraid to buy tall, elongated specimens made of ceramics, metal or glass.
Start with the little things
As you can see, there are many ways to visually raise the ceiling. The choice depends only on your preference and capabilities. The main thing is not to make mistakes that are unacceptable in a room with a low ceiling. For example, do not under any circumstances cover the walls with wallpaper with a horizontal pattern, do not divide them with borders, do not buy low or huge chandeliers, etc. If you still have any questions about visually raising the ceiling, contact an experienced designer for clarification.
