I moved from a house with 12' ceilings to one where most of the ceilings are 8'. But one hallway is only 7'6", and it also bumps into a tall wall in a double-height room. At first, I also had 'tunnel' concerns, and tried to counter-balance them. But as I lived in the house and learned more about architecture and design, I realized that a little bit of 'tunnel' every now and then helps accentuate positive aspects of both 'cozy' and 'open' and the contrasts between them. In other words, a little bit of 'tunnel' here and there can be a very nice thing in a subtle way. It also provides a nice sense of transition from one space into another -- something that an be hard to come by in newer open-plan houses. So don't fight it -- embrace it!

To answer your specific question, knowing what I know now, I'd definitely paint the lower ceiling the same color as the walls. Nine foot ceilings are hardly 'tunnel-like' -- and I think the cozier aspect provided by the slightly darker paint will feel lovely.

What color are the two ceilings now? Off white paint will not make anything tunnel-like.

Thanks for the replies. This is clearly the right forum for this type of question!

Threedgrad, right now the entire house (save one bathroom) is Kelly Moore Frost, the original contractor paint. It's a miracle it has held up as long as it has. I'm soooo sick of thinking of paint colors. It has gone from fun to tedious and is occupying way too much of my limited brain capacity. ;-)

Sweeby, I like the concept that a little tunnel can be a good thing. With all the doors (which will be creamy white) along the hall, and 9-ft. ceilings, it will be fine. But it's nice to have someone else chime in.

My house is small and I fear color. Love it in someone else's house, but would rather err on the side of boring than OMG, what have I done?

I want something slightly darker/warmer than Frost--duh--but am moving back from thinking light tan to a creamy beige. Or, maybe it's all the same thing.

Hi Linelle.

Sweeby is spot-on. As the old Arab proverb says, "Nothing but sunshine makes a desert" and when it comes to decorating, if every single room is light & airy, things can get pretty boring. There's no surprise, no delight. See one room and you've seen 'em all.

Now, I seldom use off-the-shelf paint colors, so I have no idea what specific colors you're talking about, but I will say this: the skillful use of contrast is the single most important difference between most amateur decorating and that of professionals with serious training behind them. These days, if you watch enough Martha (and pay attention) just about anybody can create a pretty-looking room but there's more to decorating than that. Amateurs too often get hung up on inconsequential details--This pillow or that? Which candlesticks for my mantel?--and end up missing the Big Picture, which leaves them, after all their fussing, with a pleasantish but unremarkable room that looks pretty much like everybody else's rooms. And certainly, not every room needs to--or should--make a Statement. The Wow Factor is definitely overrated. But sometimes, a too-timid decor needs a little shake-up, KWIM?

Anyway, like Sweeby said, nothing will make big bright room look even bigger & brighter than entering it from a low, dark space. In fact, that's why both of my small, windowless interior hallways are painted flat black & lit with nothing more than shaded candle lamps. Nothing, no paint color, no amount of reflective surfaces, no bright light fixtures, will ever make those two tiny rooms look to be anything other than what they are--glorified closets--so I figured why fight it? In your case, use this opportunity (one which, unfortunately, flowing open plan houses with cartoonishly foyers never provide their owners) to create a little drama & surprise. So pluck up your courage and go as dark in that room--walls, ceiling, floor--as you're possibly able. You'll be amazed at what it will do.

Regards,
Magnaverde.

Magnaverde, I'd love to see a picture of your hallways! While I plan to keep my halls the same color as my living space, I'm confident that keeping their ceiling the same color is the way to go. Despite their windowless interior location, there's a lot of light streaming in from adjacent bedrooms. It's not really a dark space.

Linelle, I'm too lazy today to go through all the hoops that it takes to get photos posted here, but here's a link to the page of interiors on Roland Bello's website that shows my place as he shot it for O at Home magazine's Fall 2008 issue. The photos don't show much because my hallways are so small that it's hard to even back up enough to get a decent shot, but check out shots #1 & #6. He's one talented guy, that's for sure.

M.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rolandbello. com

Oh my, Magnaverde, that's your place? It's divine. The photographer isn't the only talented guy. I feel a little silly getting worked up over ceiling color for beige walls, but hey, our home's our home, right?

Linelle, nothing that makes our homes feel better--whether 'home' is an important historic house, a mobile home down by the river, a 70s split foyer in the suburbs or whatever--is ever silly. Those pictures on Roland's site are my Chicago place, which statrted out as a no more than a place to crash while I was working in the city during the week, because my real place was a big Victorian house downstate in Peoria. But when my old neighborhood started turning into Crack Estates and my pals all left town, I had a big sale and hit the road, meaning that my tiny Chicago place is now the real deal. It's less than 6OO SF, so I had to use all the standard space-saving tricks, and then some.