Renovating
Dreaming of a New Ceiling? Here’s What You Never Knew Was Possible
If you're looking for something other than a flat white ceiling, look no further!
The ceiling takes up a lot of square meterage in your home, yet we usually just paint it white and forget about it. Here, we can explore different ceiling treatments by first deciding what it is about your home that you want to enhance. Maybe you need more height? More width? Or a sense of peace?
Pushing the boundaries with ceiling designs can have a huge effect on the look and feel of your home, but it’s knowing what final effect you want to achieve that is the key point here. Read through these very different ceiling options, effects and benefits before committing to changing your ceiling and find a ceiling that matches the end results you need!
Pushing the boundaries with ceiling designs can have a huge effect on the look and feel of your home, but it’s knowing what final effect you want to achieve that is the key point here. Read through these very different ceiling options, effects and benefits before committing to changing your ceiling and find a ceiling that matches the end results you need!
Consider spacial effects through colour
Generally, having a light coloured ceiling will make your room feel taller, but having a dark ceiling won’t always push the room down either, it can actually make your home feel wider or longer. When approaching your ceiling with a paint colour other than white, I recommend sticking to fairly neutral colours that have more of a white base. Edging for black or dark colours are very risky and you must be very confident that it’s the right thing to do.
Generally, having a light coloured ceiling will make your room feel taller, but having a dark ceiling won’t always push the room down either, it can actually make your home feel wider or longer. When approaching your ceiling with a paint colour other than white, I recommend sticking to fairly neutral colours that have more of a white base. Edging for black or dark colours are very risky and you must be very confident that it’s the right thing to do.
In terms of successfully adding depth through colour, this can be approached by use of materials, as the texture and feel of certain material can sometimes take the edge off a dark colour. The colour of this caramel ply wood ceiling creates a sense of comfort. The softness and natural finish of the timber still allows for the depth in colour, but also softens the overall effect of the ceiling. Plus, you will be glad to know that this ply wood ceiling option isn’t as expensive as you might think, coming out at roughly the same price as a plasterboard ceiling!
Tongue and groove
This treatment is one of the most popular because of its great features. Tongue and groove describes the way two pieces of timber are joined together to create a flat surface that conceals and stops the boards from shifting around.
This treatment is one of the most popular because of its great features. Tongue and groove describes the way two pieces of timber are joined together to create a flat surface that conceals and stops the boards from shifting around.
Tongue and groove ceilings are easy to install and are also relatively cheap. This classic style is perfect for homes near the beach or places that you want to bring a bit of a holiday vibe to. Painting your tongue-in-groove ceiling white is a great way to add a textured sophistication to your home.
DESIGNER TIP: See where else you can apply tongue-in-groove in your home as this will compliment the ceiling and create a layered design. You could use tongue and groove on the cabinets in the kitchen, across an entire wall or even panelled up to about hip height across the walls. This interior is so much more visually interesting than just flat white walls. The lines of timber create a real movement that remains subtle due to their white colour and neat look.
Tongue and groove definitely gets a big tick for ease, cost and final effect! I can guarantee that you will not regret this option due to its classic and timeless quality.
Timber panelling
This is a more expensive option compared to tongue and groove. If you are paying extra to have your ceiling clad in timber, don’t paint it! Make sure you do your research and find the perfect grain and colour for your home.
This is a more expensive option compared to tongue and groove. If you are paying extra to have your ceiling clad in timber, don’t paint it! Make sure you do your research and find the perfect grain and colour for your home.
If you want to create a really soft and gentle atmosphere, I would recommend using a pale timber like the one in this interior designed by Alexander and Co.
TIP: Consider how your home will benefit from the direction of the timber. If your room is longer than it is wide, panel the timber horizontally to make it feel wider and vice versa.
Look at how the timber floor boards and timber ceiling boards in this interior by JPR Architects are running in different directions and achieving different effects, making the room both wider and longer. The colour of the timber is also seen on the floor, in kitchen joinery and also in furniture, creating a sense of continuity and allowing the ceiling to really fit in.
Beams
Need to create energy and strength in your living room? Some homes come with timber or metal beams that act as support, however many of these beams are either placed there between the structural ones. Some homes even have beams purely for the look.
Need to create energy and strength in your living room? Some homes come with timber or metal beams that act as support, however many of these beams are either placed there between the structural ones. Some homes even have beams purely for the look.
This is a great way to add a bold and strong effect to your interior and works particularly well if you have high ceilings. You can choose to paint the actual ceiling a light colour, or even a dark one. These timber beams create a strong directional pull within the space that your eyes will follow.
Think about what is going behind these beams too. If you are using a dark timber, you could paint the ceiling white; if you are using a light timber, you could paint the ceiling a dark colour like this to create contrast and make the space feel higher.
TIP: Play into what the beam can do for you. It can provide a space for you to hang pendant lights or sculptural elements, for instance.
TIP: Play into what the beam can do for you. It can provide a space for you to hang pendant lights or sculptural elements, for instance.
Wallpaper
Want to create a specific mood or style within your home? A great way to do this is through wallpaper. This is such a simple yet effective option and is definitely one of the most affordable. However, I would recommend having a professional come and apply the wallpaper – it will draw so much attention, you won’t want to compromise on quality.
TIP: Be very careful when choosing wallpaper, as it has the ability to date very quickly. Go for quality brands that have original designs, not designs that are replicated and cheap.
Want to create a specific mood or style within your home? A great way to do this is through wallpaper. This is such a simple yet effective option and is definitely one of the most affordable. However, I would recommend having a professional come and apply the wallpaper – it will draw so much attention, you won’t want to compromise on quality.
TIP: Be very careful when choosing wallpaper, as it has the ability to date very quickly. Go for quality brands that have original designs, not designs that are replicated and cheap.
Exposed concrete slab
If you have it, flaunt it! Want to have an ultra-cool, sleek and modern home? Concrete ceilings are best in large homes and can only be imitated with a concrete render or paint. This is a solution that should usually be thought out by your architect or design professional before your home is built, and that’s because there are lots of surfaces (such as lighting) that need to be exposed or carefully thought out when you want the look or authenticity of a concrete ceiling.
If you have it, flaunt it! Want to have an ultra-cool, sleek and modern home? Concrete ceilings are best in large homes and can only be imitated with a concrete render or paint. This is a solution that should usually be thought out by your architect or design professional before your home is built, and that’s because there are lots of surfaces (such as lighting) that need to be exposed or carefully thought out when you want the look or authenticity of a concrete ceiling.
If you opt for an exposed concrete slab for a ceiling, you won’t have the luxury of hiding your lighting cords (since this is usually hidden between the plasterboard ceiling and the slab). So, unless you want to have cords or track systems exposed on the ceiling, you could install battery-operated lighting that doesn’t need to be hooked up to the main electricity line.
The pendant light in this interior has been drilled into the concrete slab and is most probably battery operated.
The pendant light in this interior has been drilled into the concrete slab and is most probably battery operated.
TIP: Raw concrete looks amazing next to other natural and raw materials and can have an authentic and contemporary look.
Geometrical angles
Want to create a sensationally boundless space? This is an expensive exercise, however it’s worth considering if you are building a house or doing a large scale renovation. If you have the space, think about the different angles you could incorporate into your home. You may have the living room ceiling lower, then have it energetically shoot up to reveal a space that opens up to the outside, creating a dramatic effect.
Want to create a sensationally boundless space? This is an expensive exercise, however it’s worth considering if you are building a house or doing a large scale renovation. If you have the space, think about the different angles you could incorporate into your home. You may have the living room ceiling lower, then have it energetically shoot up to reveal a space that opens up to the outside, creating a dramatic effect.
Our eyes are drawn up to this exceptional ceiling by Adam Dettrick Architects for three reasons:
1) The concrete brick walls are in a grey colour, pushing the crisp white ceiling higher.
2) The clean lines in this ceiling are accentuated through the contrast of the grid-like pattern from the walls.
3) The quality and craftsmanship of this design has been perfectly executed with its joining points being carefully finished.
1) The concrete brick walls are in a grey colour, pushing the crisp white ceiling higher.
2) The clean lines in this ceiling are accentuated through the contrast of the grid-like pattern from the walls.
3) The quality and craftsmanship of this design has been perfectly executed with its joining points being carefully finished.
Work in your lighting
Designing your ceiling with lighting in mind is one of the most important elements that can not be forgotten. Think of the ceiling acting as the canvas to your lighting scheme. Many kitchen designs are making use of recessed and dropped ceilings with LED lighting. This recent movement really creates a strong ambience and lovely energy in the kitchen.
Designing your ceiling with lighting in mind is one of the most important elements that can not be forgotten. Think of the ceiling acting as the canvas to your lighting scheme. Many kitchen designs are making use of recessed and dropped ceilings with LED lighting. This recent movement really creates a strong ambience and lovely energy in the kitchen.
And make the most of natural lighting
Look at how these seamless and almost magical slots make this kitchen feel truly weightless. This light and gravity-free effect is achieved by positioning different sections of the ceiling at different heights. This ceiling design by Liz Prater Design Home works wonderfully well in an alfresco area, brining in natural light and streams of fresh air.
TELL US
What is your favourite ceiling design? Would you have any of these designs in your home? If you already have an interesting ceiling, we would love to see it! Post your comments and photos below.
MORE
14 Ceiling Treatments That Will Make You Want to Look Up
8 Alternatives Beyond the Boring White Ceiling
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
Dreamy Ceilings: Fantastical Designs for Kids to Look Up to
Look at how these seamless and almost magical slots make this kitchen feel truly weightless. This light and gravity-free effect is achieved by positioning different sections of the ceiling at different heights. This ceiling design by Liz Prater Design Home works wonderfully well in an alfresco area, brining in natural light and streams of fresh air.
TELL US
What is your favourite ceiling design? Would you have any of these designs in your home? If you already have an interesting ceiling, we would love to see it! Post your comments and photos below.
MORE
14 Ceiling Treatments That Will Make You Want to Look Up
8 Alternatives Beyond the Boring White Ceiling
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
Dreamy Ceilings: Fantastical Designs for Kids to Look Up to
What is your ceiling? How is it made and what does it conceal? Before you go making any rash decisions, you need to consider what surfaces the ceiling is currently concealing. There are two options to giving your ceiling a face lift: you can either clad it in a material (this may cause you to lose some height, but it can be minimal), or you may want to completely remove its existing structure and re-build a new ceiling or expose it completely. Either way, you will need to engage with some professionals, especially your electrician.
TIP: When studying and learning about ceilings, one of my lecturers gave me the following useful advice: The best way to get inspiration and to start understanding how ceilings work is to start taking notice of ceilings, particularly when you are out and about, in restaurants, retail shops or any other commercial settings, as these places usually have interesting ceilings.