Higher ceilings can accommodate exquisite light fixtures.
A ceiling space is typically one-fifth of a room's visual area. Creating an impressive ceiling is often an excellent investment of time and money, especially in a very formal area. While you don't have to vault a ceiling to give it visual appeal, you can build it 9 or 10 feet tall or create a tray ceiling. Different coverings, such as pressed metal tiles or painted ceilings with stenciling, are also good choices. Look at various options before deciding to create a basic drywall ceiling. With a little more effort, the design can add significant market value to the home.
Instructions
1. Draw the room dimensions to decide raise the ceiling. Sketch the room framework to see if you can build a tray ceiling, for example. Move the ceiling joists higher on house attic framing in order to lift the room ceiling up. Figure out the basic shape of the tray ceiling and define paint each level and surface of the structure. Use multiple colors of neutral paint on this type of ceiling to emphasize its upside-down "tray" shape.
2. Choose alternative materials instead of plain drywall. Plan to install a stenciled flower designs or pressed tin tiles to cover it. Use tongue-and-groove boards on the ceiling if the house is a mountain home or Western residence, as possible choices. Go over the possibility of using wallpaper on a ceiling, too.
3. Design lighting before you begin the construction process. Sketch the tray ceiling with recessed lights, for example. Plan to buy a regal chandelier to hang from a 10-feet high ceiling, as another choice. Use track light around the perimeter of a high ceiling if it covers a room with lots of artwork. Design a large living space or family room, with two matching light fixtures at ceiling level on opposite ends of the room.
4. Combine crown molding and other trim with painted ceilings. Paint a ceiling white, for example, and install cherry crown molding around the ceiling perimeter. Use cherry cabinets in the room to complement the crown molding and make it stand out. Add stained golden oak trim to the ceiling around the perimeter and add round or square oak trim to surround a light fixture hung from the ceiling. Use oak wainscoting on the lower half of the room and paint all other wall areas and basic ceiling space white or cream to enhance the ceiling.
5. Choose something very artistic. Install pleated red satin fabric with gold designs on a dining room ceiling if the ceilings are 10 feet high or higher, for example. Purchase custom mirrors to fit on the ceiling in the bath or spa area of your home. Use mirror materials designed for safety, if they should break or crack. Buy shatterproof "glassless" panels made for ceiling use as one option (see Resources).
6. Vary your paint color scheme. Paint a 10-feet ceiling mint green to go with white walls. Divide a flat ceiling into quadrants and paint each of the four sections a different color.
Tags: tray ceiling, crown molding, around perimeter, ceiling space, ceiling with