lilliepie07 - I am not sure what tricks there are to making the room seem taller. Sounds like you are already done remodelling? All the decorating shows hype over and over about lighter colors making the room seem larger. Is there a specific area that makes you feel its closed in that can be changed with decorating tips? Maybe post a pic here? I just love how everyone on here responds when you post pics and something seems just not quite right and all these extra pairs of eyes point out the obvious things! Sometimes we are too involved up close and personal and GW is such a huge help! Anyways, to make you feel better :) My kitchen is in week 2 of our remodel. We went from 7 foot drop ceilings with a huge flourescent light box to our new spacious 8 feet!! haha It sure seems big to us because of what we had for 26 yrs. We also took out as much wall as we could to the dining room so we went from a 36" opening to 94?? The light from the windows makes it appear large. I am just having a valance in the DR and a roman shade in the kitchen. We are using our old cabinets, so they do not go to the ceiling. Yes, I will put "stuff" up there. But just a few things to accent some colors in the design. We also are going to white painted cabinets, so that will open it up. I am relying on light colors and minimally adorned windows for our larger feel. Good Luck!! We would love to see your space!

Lots of ideas! I like the idea of the larger kitchen window and possibly the refrigerator on the right of the dishwasher. I'll have to take a look those measurements and see what size we would have to reduce the sink cabinet to get that to work. To get a feel for the island and different layouts, we have turned the island sideways and taped off the floor for both seating and base cabinets on the backside, and we also moved the refrigerator to the wall opposite of the kitchen table. I think we live with it a couple of weeks and see how we like it. Moving the door to the patio is not an option for us. I like the cabinets under the other windows as we have considered this before, but the windows go a little to low resulting in a very low window bench. We are all tall so it feels very low! Thank you

We moved in not long ago and updating many things ie: took popcorn off ceilings, replacing doors/trim ec, We took out wall that divided kitchen, LR and DR for open concept. I wonder if I should paint windows all white and add white trim? Maybe paint one of the walls a different color? I wanted to make the room warm and cozy due to all the dark colors. The lamp is not staying it is just for lighting as I will put recessed lights in. TV wall I am deciding on shiplap wrapped around to front door on wall or brick and hang tv. I am thinking I would like 94-96" curtains to make room look taller rather than 8 foot ceilings. Main window is 85"x76.5" Side window is 76.5"x 43.5" I did find Damask curtains I loved and I know they were dark but, cannot find and or fabric Thank you for all help and suggestions, January

LARA, It's the same math: If you have 99 ( 8 feet is btw 96" , not 99 ) " and you have a light that IN TOTAL mount and fixture uses up 26 inches, you will have 37 inches from the bottom of the light to the counter top. If you have 96 inches...now you have 34 inches to counter top. If you want to know how it will look, on any you select? You get yourself a ruler, and you draw it out, using one inch, to one foot scale. Chain is easier than stem......so you really need to pay attention to specs, and mounting details. The length of your island must also be VERY much considered. Any solid shade will read heavier and larger than an open lantern or glass shade. Solid shades will direct light to the counter top, and more open or clear fixtures will give you more dispersed light.