High ceilings add to a sense of spaciousness.
High ceilings are a decorating boon. They add the illusion of spaciousness to a room, even if it's relatively small. They give a designer the option of accentuating the high ceilings or visually pulling them down through the use of dark paint. High ceilings also open up decorating options by allowing room for unusually large furniture. The walls in a room with a high ceiling require special attention so that they enhance rather than detract from the abundant vertical space.
Instructions
1. Use paint to accentuate ceiling height. Dark paint absorbs light, making rooms feel smaller than they actually are. Light paint colors reflect light, give a room a great sense of spaciousness. Cover the walls in a light shade of paint in order to call attention to the tall walls and high ceiling.
2. Install window treatments that double as a decorative element. Visitors to a room with high ceilings are going to notice the sheer height of the walls, meaning that proper window treatments become even more important. Whether you install traditional drapes, Roman blinds, sheer accordion blinds or plantation shutters, make sure that your choice fits the rest of your decor. For example, a Tuscan-style room calls for lightweight drapes that don't block the windows rather than heavy drapes. French country decor is better enhanced by flowing drapes than by Roman blinds. Use those high ceilings and walls to frame your window treatment choice.
3. Use artwork that is to scale. The human mind seeks to make sense of everything it sees, including decor. A large wall covered with many small items registers as more cluttered than the same wall featuring one large piece of art. A tall wall is going to make any piece of art feel smaller, so introduce oversize art to compensate.
4. Install a chair rail or another horizontal stripe. If you find that the ceiling feels too high, bring the eye down by creating a horizontal focal point around the room. While the chair rail will add a traditional flavor to the room, a painted stripe can enhance a contemporary decor.
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