Decorate A Home With Wood Ceilings

A wood ceiling offers an opportunity for an original approach to decorating.

When planning color schemes for interior spaces, we often overlook floors and ceilings. These two large surface areas of color always play a significant part in creating the personality of a room. Off-white is the trusted go-to color for painted ceilings. However, a wood ceiling offers an opportunity for a more original approach to color planning and interior design. A wood ceiling is intrinsically beautiful and sets the tone for a warm, appealing space. Whether your look is casual elegance, natural, rough-hewn comfort, or sophisticated simplicity, a wood ceiling is a great jumping-off place.

Instructions

1. Work with neutral tones of any color to build a casually elegant color scheme based on a wood ceiling. Determine the value tone (lightness and darkness) of the ceiling. If the ceiling is the lightest element, the floors may be the same tone, or offer contrast with a medium or a darker tone. Lighter tones will open up the space and expand the feeling of airiness. Darker tones will close in the space and make it feel cozy and secure. The wall color value connects ceiling and floor, and may be the same or offer contrast. Furniture coverings should repeat and extend the neutral tones of the walls, ceiling and floor. For contrast, introduce stronger accent colors and texture through pillows and decorative accessories.

2. When the wood ceiling consists of natural, rough-hewn beams and/or weathered wood, an effective design plan could focus on texture. Keeping the walls and floors in neutral tones, include homespun or quilted textures and comfy, overstuffed furniture. Accent floors with hand-loomed or rag rugs; introduce antique rural Americana accessories and bright calico pillows. The interaction of a variety of textures, based upon the rough wood ceiling, makes this approach feel authentic, yet comfortable and relaxed.

3. For a sophisticated approach based on a wood ceiling, strive for smooth, trim lines and subdued colors.

Bare floors; a flat, textured carpet; or bound, single-color area rugs create a sense of clean, uncluttered order. Furniture lines should be simple and sleek, accessorizing rich but understated. Closed storage is essential to this look, keeping clutter under cover. Lighting is an innovative way to accent the space with functional, sculptural forms.

Tags: wood ceiling, neutral tones, based wood, based wood ceiling, ceiling floor