It would be nice if you could have slightly higher ceilings...perhaps 3 meters instead of 2.7. It would be even better if you could open up the ceiling and create a volume ceiling above instead of a flat one.

However, I do agree with Louise Thatcher who wrote that pendant lighting over the island and a good lighting plan in the ceiling will help a lot to make your space feel better.

Thank you both for your advice :)

I was planning on having pendant lights over the kitchen island so I'm glad this will help break up the room. We were thinking of having a fan over the living room as well to help regulate temperatures. If I put a feature light over the dining table as well will that be too much? The light in the picture you added Louise was fantastic!

A dropped ceiling is an interesting idea. I don't know anything abouth them. Do you think you could add one after construction if you thought the space needed it?

To help keep our house more efficient we'd prefer to have a 2.7m ceiling but maybe we could raise one section? Excuse my naievity but what do you mean by " open up the ceiling and create a volume ceiling" ? Sorry I'm new to this game, lol.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it.

I wouldn't suggest dropping the ceiling since you have low ceilings already. The lights and fans will help keep your flat ceiling interesting.

You must live in a cold climate, and if you do, then you probably don't want a tall open ceiling.

You also might consider a coffered ceiling over portions of the ceiling where you raise the ceiling in certain areas.

That light is a David Trubridge design "Koura" and he has many different shapes and sizes.

This is an example of coffered ceiling looking though dining to kitchen. It will add probably costs to your budget.

Sydney House · More Info

Ceiling heights are minimum 2400 mm high so 2700 is nicer for large rooms & agree with Lampert Dias Architects that 3000 mm would be more desirable. The extra volume would allow scope to add interest with ceiling height changes therefore defining the three zones.

By dropped ceiling I was meaning a feature panel over the dining table for example...

Contemporary Dining Room · More Info

By a quick look at your idea book Our House I love this photo too and had only just added it to my own idea book this morning after looking for something to help you. That's cool!

Wheelers Hill Project · More Info

Could use a scissor truss roof instead of the standard truss. The external roof pitch would be 23° for example with a 14° pitch for the internal ceiling sheets. It's a 'cheap' way to get a cathedral ceiling without the rafters. Depends on your design style, budget, etc.. and also your roof pitch as the manufacturer will usually only go 10° below that.

It seems like you have 2 concurrent issues. If you have a flat ceiling their are aesthetic issues to deal with (and a myriad of solutions to those as started above) but the other is the acoustics. If you have what is effectively a box sound will echo, any use of different angled planes will aid in reducing that effect. Also be careful with your choice of materials; hard floor surfaces will exacerbate the situation (by all means use them but compensate for them in other ways).

Good luck

Big soft furniture and large area rugs will absorb the sound. Even fabric, Roman shades and curtains will help. Another method of absorbing sound are large canvas works of art on the walls.

You probably won't have a problem.... Build it, furnish it, and if you need to add more sound absorbing elements you can add them ...

So many options for ceilings, to give that point of difference

http://www.houzz.com.au/photos/query/Decorative-ceilings

I think as long as you have it high enough it will be fine. If the roof is too low it will feel oppressive.

Having a high and pitched space above you will also be helpful to keep you cool in summer.