One of the first things I notice when entering an older home is the ceiling height.  Today’s height standard for ceilings hasn’t always applied, so there are many homes out there that lack tall ceilings.  While tall ceilings can expand a room and make it feel more spacious, they also can be more expensive to heat and cool.  Many mid-century modern architects even embraced the low ceiling and appreciated the compression it created in a space.  So, if you’ve got one that isn’t as tall as you like in your Locust Grove home, here are some tips for making the ceilings appear higher.

Lighting

Instead of using a hanging light fixture that draws your eye down, go with lighting that is flush to the ceiling.  If you need to bring more light into a room that is lacking natural light, then consider adding recessed lights that will brighten the space without making your Locust Grove home feel shorter.  You can also add some lights that bring light onto the ceiling (known as up lighting) in the form of floor lamps can help expand the space by reflecting some light onto the ceiling.

Curtains

Another tip for making your ceiling feel taller is to make the curtains in the room go from the floor to the ceiling.  Instead of placing the curtains at the top of the window, go towards the top of the wall for installation.  Select a vertical pattern or a curtain with a detail at the top that will draw eyes upward and make the entire space feel taller.  If you decide to hang the curtains higher, make sure that you measure and select a curtain length that will just brush the floor.

Go vertical

If you are thinking of adding paneling to the wall, then stretch it from the floor to the ceiling rather than horizontally.  Vertical stripes can help stretch the space to if you like this dramatic look and want to embrace it using paint or wallpaper. Not all improvements to your home have to be solely cosmetic. You can add some shelving to a wall that stretches from the floor to the ceiling.  Not only does this help to raise the ceiling in your Locust Grove home but it also add some storage too. Even a gallery wall of pictures in frames or a few framed photos above a piece of furniture helps to make the room feel taller.

Proportional Furniture

If a room has a lower ceiling, then think about adding furniture that is lower to the ground too.  This will open up more visual wall space in the room and make it feel taller.   Mid-century modern furniture will fit into this style. Avoid tall bookshelves or chairs that will visually take up a lot of vertical space in the room.

Paint

There are a few ideas to consider when adding paint to the ceiling in order to make a room feel taller. One idea is to select a paint color that is a few shades lighter than your wall color for the ceiling.  Other professionals suggest painting the ceiling white. If you’ve got a naturally darker room a semi-gloss finish will reflect more light in the room, but not everyone finds the shine appealing.  If the room has crown molding and baseboards in it, paint it the same color as the wall to give the appearance of a higher ceiling in your Locust Grove home.