Ceilings That Work: Designs for the Space Above
Coffer or vault your ceiling and give your whole space a lift
Ceilings don't have to be, and probably shouldn't be, all flat, horizontal planes of white painted drywall. Whether a ceiling is vaulted, trayed, soffited or coffered, changing its height and shape can add spaciousness, interest and definition to a room. Using these architectural elements can also break down the scale of a great room, bringing to life a vast (and what could be monotonous) space.
Playing with the ceiling shape and finish also can be a cost effective way of achieving something special and unique. Whether it's a gabled vault where the structure and ceiling are the same, the addition of soffits with indirect lighting, or a bit of trim to add scale and rhythm, ceilings are a design opportunity not to be missed.
Playing with the ceiling shape and finish also can be a cost effective way of achieving something special and unique. Whether it's a gabled vault where the structure and ceiling are the same, the addition of soffits with indirect lighting, or a bit of trim to add scale and rhythm, ceilings are a design opportunity not to be missed.
Here is an example of the classic tray ceiling used to achieve spaciousness in a great room. This remodeling project consisted of taking down a wall to make two rooms into one. To avoid the oppressive feel that a continuous, flat and 8'-high ceiling would create, the ceiling structure was raised a few feet. In this ranch house space taken out of the attic was an easy and cost-effective way to achieve a well-proportioned room.
The classic tray ceiling: this time in a bedroom. The beadboard finish and ceiling fan gives this room a tropical island feel. An especially nice detail is how the ceiling, through the use of trim and crown molding, seems to start at the top of the windows. This has the effect of lowering the ceiling and creating more intimacy, while the ceiling height adds spaciousness.
A tray ceiling such as this offers a great opportunity to install indirect lighting. In this room, the indirect lighting provides generous overall light and, with a switch capable of dimming, can be turned to low for just the right, romantic level.
A tray ceiling such as this offers a great opportunity to install indirect lighting. In this room, the indirect lighting provides generous overall light and, with a switch capable of dimming, can be turned to low for just the right, romantic level.
This ceiling incorporates two steps of soffits. The first and lowest soffit follows the geometry of the room, as does the area rug directly below it. The higher soffit is a rectangular shape to provide a centering device. This type of ceiling gives an order and structure to a room that incorporates different angles and asymmetry.
The lower soffit also provides a wider flat area at the bed headboard. This wide and flat area gives more intimacy at the headboard area as well as a place for ceiling-mounted items such as grilles, speakers, etc.
The lower soffit also provides a wider flat area at the bed headboard. This wide and flat area gives more intimacy at the headboard area as well as a place for ceiling-mounted items such as grilles, speakers, etc.
In a simple bedroom with a low (less than 8') ceiling, the step up with indirect light provides spaciousness. As with the above example, the stepped ceiling provides a centering device in a room that has some angled walls and asymmetrical configuration.
Simply by borrowing from the attic space and adding some small framing extras, a ceiling such as this is easily achieved in a second-floor bedroom, or a first floor room when there's no second floor above.
Simply by borrowing from the attic space and adding some small framing extras, a ceiling such as this is easily achieved in a second-floor bedroom, or a first floor room when there's no second floor above.
Here's a nice little "pop-up" in an upstairs hall. Not only does this give a place to hang a lantern with a long chain, but the extra bit of beadboard finish reinforces the coastal nature of the home's style. A nice opportunity to achieve something special in what is normally a simple, utilitarian space.
A small room with a tall ceiling can be a real design challenge. After all, who likes feeling as if they're at the bottom of a Dixie cup? So in this example, the coffers, colors, beadboard and lights all keep this kitchen well dimensioned and comfortable to work in.
Another nice result from adding a coffered ceiling, especially in an old house undergoing a remodel, is the new space created for ducts, pipes, conduit and other mechanical items. In this example, the visible air grille indicates that the coffers are being used to conceal ducts.
Another more costly way of using the coffer to conceal ducts while avoiding a grille such as this is to introduce a linear, slot-type diffuser in the side of the coffer.
Another nice result from adding a coffered ceiling, especially in an old house undergoing a remodel, is the new space created for ducts, pipes, conduit and other mechanical items. In this example, the visible air grille indicates that the coffers are being used to conceal ducts.
Another more costly way of using the coffer to conceal ducts while avoiding a grille such as this is to introduce a linear, slot-type diffuser in the side of the coffer.
The panels in a coffered ceiling can be of just about any material. In this example, the panels are decorative and translucent, enabling the light to come from a source hidden above the ceiling line. The design of these coffer panels is very structured: a series of layered grids in a fun, somewhat abstract design of strong colors.
This large room has multiple activity areas, each placed beneath its own coffered ceiling. While the overlapping grids give general order and structure, the colors reinforce the center of the ceiling and each activity area.
This large room has multiple activity areas, each placed beneath its own coffered ceiling. While the overlapping grids give general order and structure, the colors reinforce the center of the ceiling and each activity area.
A coffered ceiling can also be used to counterbalance a room's decor. Here, this elegant and all-white, deeply coffered ceiling adds structure and visual weight to the room, balancing the wall color and furniture style.
There's no rule that says that coffers have to be a rectangular grid. In this case the coffering starts at the center rotated square and radiates out from there. This sets up a geometry that's independent of the room's shape, adding another layer of interest and detail to the space.
The wood coffered ceiling here also reinforces the quiet and serious nature of this library-like room.
The wood coffered ceiling here also reinforces the quiet and serious nature of this library-like room.
Sometimes a simple, wood paneled ceiling with wood beams is the answer. In this room, the wood beams break down the large space while the wood finishes tie everything together.
In a room where the main sitting area is away from the source of light and view, the wood beams direct the eye towards the window and out to the landscape beyond.
In a room where the main sitting area is away from the source of light and view, the wood beams direct the eye towards the window and out to the landscape beyond.
At times the simplest approach is the best. Adding some thin, pencil-line trim and raised panels to the ceiling adds just the right level of detail without calling too much attention to itself. And, as in this case, where there are many patterns and colors all around, adding a regular and simple gridded pattern to the ceiling can add just the right amount of structure.
Extra height and well designed ceilings aren't just for dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms and other big rooms. A simple, spare and utilitarian mudroom can be made light, bright and spacious with a vaulted ceiling.
More: See the Beauty of Barrel-Vaulted Ceilings
How to Make a Tall Room Feel Right
More: See the Beauty of Barrel-Vaulted Ceilings
How to Make a Tall Room Feel Right
I can't help but think this would be a wonderful place for a chess game no matter what the weather outside.