Having ceilings that are 8-foot high doesn’t mean you have to give up on style or roominess. By using a few smart design strategies, you can design a home that has an open, welcoming, and incredibly stylish atmosphere.
1. Design an Open Layout
Consider an open layout to maximize room and flow. Removing a non-structural wall transformed the area in my studio, making it feel twice as big.
A few helpful options:
- Sunken Lighting Fixtures Set: Light up your open-plan space with sleek sunken lights for a modern, bright atmosphere.
- Chic Hanging Ceiling Lights: Add elegance to your dining area with stylish hanging lights, creating a consistent open-plan look.
- Contemporary Bar Stools Set: Improve your kitchen island with modern bar stools for a seamless and functional open layout.
2. Install Roof Windows
If possible, adding roof windows can flood a room with light and visually lift the ceiling. My experience with roof windows in the studio has been transformative, making the space feel sky-high.
Give these a look:
- Adjustable Roof Window Shades: Improve your roof window by controlling light levels with these easy-to-use adjustable shades.
- Energy Efficient Roof Windows: Brighten your space with energy-efficient roof windows, reducing heat gain in warmer months.
- Roof Window Ventilation Kit: Improve air flow and ambiance with this effective roof window ventilation kit, ideal for any room.
3. Use Tall Shelves
Add tall shelves to draw attention upward and add storage. A floor-to-ceiling shelf has become a focal point in my living room and helps create the feeling of height.
These products might help:
- Tall Floor-to-Ceiling Shelf: Maximize storage and create vertical interest with this elegant, space-saving shelf.
- Adjustable Height Shelves: Customize your shelf to fit your needs and decor, improving your living space effortlessly.
- Modern Wood Shelf Unit: Add warmth and style to your room with this chic wood shelf unit, perfect for displaying books.
4. Use Sunken Lights
Replace bulky fixtures with sunken lights to keep your ceiling clear and sleek. This change in my studio made a huge difference, giving plenty of light without taking up headroom.
A few choices to try:
- LED Sunken Ceiling Lights Set: Enhance your ceiling with sleek LED sunken lights for a modern, unobtrusive lighting solution.
- Adjustable Sunken Light Fixtures: Adjust your ambiance with adjustable sunken fixtures, providing options for any room setting.
- Smart Wireless Sunken Lighting: Control your lighting via smartphone app and set moods with smart wireless sunken lights.
5. Go Minimalist
A minimalistic design can keep a space from feeling cramped. I’ve found that keeping decor simple and uncluttered allows each element to stand out beautifully.
A few suggestions:
- Minimalist Coffee Table: Choose a sleek coffee table to enhance your living space with functional simplicity.
- Neutral Cushions: Add subtle elegance to your decor with simple, neutral cushions.
- Simple Standing Lamp: Brighten your room with a modern, uncomplicated standing lamp that complements minimalistic designs.
6. Choose Vertical Garden Decorations
Introducing vertical garden features can bring a fresh, lively vibe while guiding the eye upwards. A vertical plant wall in my living room adds greenery and height without taking up floor space.
Items that may come in handy:
- Modular Vertical Garden Set: Transform your space easily with a modular vertical garden set, adding height and nature indoors.
- Wall-Attach Planter System: Maximize space with a wall-attach planter system and add vibrant greenery to your home decor.
- Self-Watering Vertical Plant Holder: Simplify plant care with a self-watering vertical plant holder, perfect for busy lifestyles.
7. Add Vertical Decorations
Hang tall decorations or design a gallery wall that stretches upward to draw the eye higher. Vertical art pieces have added a vibrant, eye-catching element to the decor in my home.
These products might be useful:
- Tall Framed Decorations: Improve your room with tall framed decorations to draw the eye upwards and add elegance.
- Vertical Gallery Wall Set: Create a stunning visual effect with a vertical gallery wall set, perfect for high ceilings.
- Large Canvas Wall Decoration: Add a dramatic touch to your space with large canvas wall decoration that stretches vertically.
8. Use Clear Furniture
Clear furniture, like glass tables, can reduce visual clutter and make a room feel more open. In my dining area, a glass table helps keep a sense of flow and space.
A few relevant products:
- Round Glass Dining Table: Improve your dining area with a sleek glass table, creating openness and flow effortlessly.
- Acrylic Dining Chairs: Add modern acrylic chairs to create a spacious look without sacrificing comfort or style.
- Glass Console Table: Choose a glass console table to reduce visual clutter and increase room lightness.
9. Add Vertical Wall Detailing
Vertical wall detailing or wood trim can draw your attention upward, creating the appearance of height. In my home, I’ve used vertical shiplap in the entry to get this effect.
Some ideas to consider:
- Adhesive Wood Trims: Easily change your space with adhesive wood trims, improving height appearance effortlessly.
- Vertical Overlapping Boards: Improve your entry with vertical overlapping boards, creating an impressive vertical focal point.
- Textured Wall Trims: Add dimension and style with textured wall detailing, drawing eyes upward for a spacious feel.
10. Select Bright Color Palettes
Choosing bright and neutral hues for your walls and ceiling can help make a room feel light and spacious, visually enlarging your space. I’ve found in my own apartment in Boston that delicate whites and beiges work wonders to visually expand a room.
May just do the trick:
- Delicate White Wall Finish: Change your room with delicate white finish, helping your space appear bigger and more open.
- Beige Decorative Carpet: Add warmth and depth to your space with a stylish beige decorative carpet.
- Neutral Colored Cushions: Decorate your furniture with neutral colored cushions for a welcoming and bright living space.
11. Add Texture with Ceiling Designs
Think about adding subtle texture to the ceiling, such as tongue-and-groove or shiplap, to improve visual interest without overwhelming the space. This detail has added charm and warmth to otherwise plain ceilings in my home.
Might be a good match:
- Tongue-and-Groove Ceiling Panels: Elevate your room’s charm with elegant tongue-and-groove panels, adding warmth and texture effortlessly.
- Overlapping Ceiling Planks: Change your space with stylish overlapping planks, introducing subtle yet captivating visual interest.
- Decorative Ceiling Squares: Add a sophisticated touch with decorative ceiling squares, making your ceiling a focal point.
12. Use Short Furniture
Choose short furniture to keep the focus on height and openness. I’ve found that by choosing lower sofas and chairs, rooms feel more roomy and balanced.
A few things you might like:
- Modern Short Sofa: Improve spaciousness by adding this sleek, short sofa to your living area.
- Minimalist Short Coffee Table: Complete the aesthetic with this chic, short coffee table to emphasize room height.
- Contemporary Short Accent Chair: Choose this stylish, short accent chair to maintain open and bright room appeal.
13. Maximize Sunlight
Ensure your space is filled with sunlight by keeping windows unobstructed and using sheer drapes. In my own space, this strategy has helped make every room feel brighter and more inviting.
Explore these options:
- Sheer Window Coverings: Brighten your room with sheer coverings that let sunlight filter through beautifully.
- Window Cleaning Tools: Make sure your windows are spotless to allow maximum sunlight and brighten your space.
- Adjustable Drapes Rod: Install an adjustable rod for best drape placement to maximize incoming sunlight.
14. Place Mirrors Carefully
Mirrors can reflect light and create the illusion of depth, so place mirrors carefully to improve room dimensions. I’ve used a large mirror in my hallway to visually double its size.
Try these:
- Large Wall Mirror: Improve your hallway’s look with a large mirror to visually double the space.
- Ornate Mirror: Add elegance and depth with an ornate mirror for a sophisticated statement piece.
- Full-Length Standing Mirror: Place a full-length mirror to increase perceived depth and brighten your living area.
15. Paint the Ceiling the Same Color as the Walls
Painting your ceiling the same color as your walls can make a continuous line, making the room appear bigger. This is one of my favorite strategies for keeping a consistent and expansive feeling.
Useful items to consider:
- Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish: Choose high-quality interior finish to create a smooth, consistent look on walls and ceilings.
- Finish Applicator Set: Use a complete applicator set for easy and efficient finishing on ceilings and walls.
- Finisher’s Tape: Apply finisher’s tape to protect edges and ensure clean, sharp lines during finishing.
16. Install Decorative Moulding
Despite what people think, decorative moulding can truly improve the height of an 8-foot ceiling when done well. I suggest choosing a moderate size and painting it to match the walls for a seamless appearance.
Some handy options:
- Decorative Ceiling Trim Set: Improve your ceiling’s elegance with this easy-to-install decorative ceiling trim set.
- Interior Wall Trim Cement: Secure your decorative moulding easily with this strong and reliable wall cement.
- Trim Installation Tools Set: Get a perfect finish with this complete set of trim installation tools.
17. Hang Drapes High and Wide
Installing your drape rods closer to the ceiling and making them wider than your window frame can help make your ceilings seem taller. I am impressed with how this simple trick can add sophistication and height to any space.
Check these products out:
- Adjustable Drapes Rods: Improve your space by installing adjustable drapes rods for wide and high drape placement.
- Full-Length Window Drapes: Improve your room aesthetics with elegant full-length window drapes for a room that appears taller.
- Ceiling-Attach Drapes Fixtures: Create a dramatic look by using ceiling-attach fixtures to hang your drapes higher.
