Cathedral ceilings add vertical decorating space to an interior room.
The dramatic height of expansive adds sophisticated vertical dimensions to an interior space, but the ceilings also present a design challenge for homeowners looking to create a seamlessly decorated interior. Whether you want to play up or tone down the size effects of your cathedral ceiling, creative decorating ideas incorporate your ceiling into the overall aesthetic of your room for a cohesive design.
Paint
Paint is one of the most versatile and cost effective options for decorating a cathedral ceiling. Traditional ceilings are often painted white, a color that contributes to a sense of openness. Add more dramatic visual interest to your space with an alternative paint color on your cathedral ceiling. Choose a ceiling color that is a shade darker than the color on the walls. For example, pair your saturated mauve walls with a burgundy cathedral ceiling or your mint green room with a grass green ceiling. Though dark colors make rooms appear smaller, the scale of a cathedral ceiling counteracts the effect to create a space that is dynamic and colorful. Another option is to incorporate a modern paint element into your room design by painting vertical stripes from the top of the walls to the peak in the ceiling; wide bands in neutral colors are subtle but interesting while several thinner stripes in multiple colors offer a playful option.
Wall Decals
If painting your ceiling is too labor intensive, use adhesive wall decals as a contemporary option for decorating your ceiling and adding visual interest to your room. Wall decals are self-adhesive stickers that apply to flat wall or ceiling surface to create playful, sophisticated or classic patterns. Though decals adhere to most surfaces, you can't create a clean seal if you have a textured or popcorn cathedral ceiling. Wall decals are often too distracting and imposing for traditional flat ceilings, but cathedral ceilings offer expansive space for even the most daring decals. For a whimsical family room, choose floral-inspired creeping vine decals in pale green or yellow. Bold, contemporary spaces pair well with black or lime green decals in geometric shapes or nature-inspired trees. If your tastes are even more eccentric, choose a striking decal, such as a shadow of a dinosaur or a nighttime sky scape to add visual dimensions to your lofty ceiling. If you ever change your aesthetic, the decals simply peel free to leave a clean space for redecorating.
Texture
Add visual interest to a cathedral ceiling through varied textures and materials. For example, many historical homes feature cathedral ceilings with exposed natural wood beam support structures. For striking visual contrast, leave the ceiling white and treat the beams with a dark cherry-colored finish to add a sense of rustic luxury. Create your own spin on beams with molding; choose a detailed molding to create pattens of panels on the ceiling. If wood beams are a bit too rustic for your taste, fabric is a more romantic and sophisticated option for adding texture to cathedral ceilings. Drape large sections of sheer fabrics from the peak of the ceiling to the edge of the walls so that they billow gently in the center. Single colors are classic while several panels of different colored fabrics are a bolder contemporary option.
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