Hold Your Head High in a Double-Height Room
Read on for tips and tricks for how to make the most of a space with super-high ceilings
Sophie van Winden
11 January 2017
Houzz Contributors, interior designers and founders of Owl Design, which works primarily in the hospitality and residential sectors. Owl's designs are creative and eclectic with an injection of fun, using texture and colour to make spaces which invite and inspire.
Houzz Contributors, interior designers and founders of Owl Design, which works primarily... More
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of space a double-height room brings. Whether it be an entrance hall or living area, it adds a sense of grandeur and captures amazing light. If you’re lucky enough to have a space this size, here are a few decorating ideas.
Maximise the wall space
Take advantage of the vast expanse of wall a double-height room offers by displaying rows of similar artworks. This will use the area effectively and look more dramatic than a single piece.
Make sure your frames match, and either go for a grid layout, as here, or create a picture gallery with different-sized but similar-style pieces.
Take advantage of the vast expanse of wall a double-height room offers by displaying rows of similar artworks. This will use the area effectively and look more dramatic than a single piece.
Make sure your frames match, and either go for a grid layout, as here, or create a picture gallery with different-sized but similar-style pieces.
Double height your door
To really play with scale, consider having a bespoke door built to the same height as the room. Here, the use of glass allows natural light to flood into the space. Be aware, though, that you will need some custom-made, electrically operated blinds if you want some privacy.
To really play with scale, consider having a bespoke door built to the same height as the room. Here, the use of glass allows natural light to flood into the space. Be aware, though, that you will need some custom-made, electrically operated blinds if you want some privacy.
Create a mirror image
Height is great, but it can make the room feel narrower. Create an illusion of width too by installing a large mirror. The bigger your mirror, the larger the space will feel.
A reflective surface will also enhance the light in the room, so this is two design tricks for the price of one.
Why interior designers love using mirrors
Height is great, but it can make the room feel narrower. Create an illusion of width too by installing a large mirror. The bigger your mirror, the larger the space will feel.
A reflective surface will also enhance the light in the room, so this is two design tricks for the price of one.
Why interior designers love using mirrors
Lower your lighting
If you have a focal point in the room, such as a dining table, lower your pendant light so it fills the area and brings your eye down. A translucent shade like this one is a good choice, as it won’t overpower the space; this delicate sphere looks as if it’s gently floating in midair.
Alternatively, opt for coloured glass, as it will make beautiful patterns on the wall when the light shines through it and create a great ambience at night.
If you have a focal point in the room, such as a dining table, lower your pendant light so it fills the area and brings your eye down. A translucent shade like this one is a good choice, as it won’t overpower the space; this delicate sphere looks as if it’s gently floating in midair.
Alternatively, opt for coloured glass, as it will make beautiful patterns on the wall when the light shines through it and create a great ambience at night.
Play the long game
To really fill the space, find an extra-long pendant light – it will act as a work of art as well as a light source. Be sure to check with your builder that the ceiling can take the weight first, though, as a light of this size is likely to be heavy.
To really fill the space, find an extra-long pendant light – it will act as a work of art as well as a light source. Be sure to check with your builder that the ceiling can take the weight first, though, as a light of this size is likely to be heavy.
Go high with storage
Think of the amount of storage you can fit on a double-height wall. A space like this is perfect for a library of books, with a rolling library ladder to access the highest shelves. If you want to keep your bits and bobs hidden, you could have cupboards built instead.
See more spaces designed for book lovers
Think of the amount of storage you can fit on a double-height wall. A space like this is perfect for a library of books, with a rolling library ladder to access the highest shelves. If you want to keep your bits and bobs hidden, you could have cupboards built instead.
See more spaces designed for book lovers
Experiment with texture
Walls don’t have to be painted – there are numerous different materials that can be used on them instead, like the wooden slats here, which add warmth and interest to an otherwise large, plain expanse.
You could also look into 3D fibreglass panels or a plaster texture – the choices are endless.
Walls don’t have to be painted – there are numerous different materials that can be used on them instead, like the wooden slats here, which add warmth and interest to an otherwise large, plain expanse.
You could also look into 3D fibreglass panels or a plaster texture – the choices are endless.
Reach for the sky
If you’re keen to install a lot of storage on the walls of your double-height room, a window might get in the way. So if you’re still at the planning stage, opt for a large skylight instead, which will flood the space with natural light – and provide a lovely view of stars in the evening – while leaving the walls free for plenty of shelves or cupboards.
However, before you fit a skylight, think about how you’re going to access it for cleaning.
If you’re keen to install a lot of storage on the walls of your double-height room, a window might get in the way. So if you’re still at the planning stage, opt for a large skylight instead, which will flood the space with natural light – and provide a lovely view of stars in the evening – while leaving the walls free for plenty of shelves or cupboards.
However, before you fit a skylight, think about how you’re going to access it for cleaning.
Be flexible
To avoid being limited by the use of lighting in your space, you could install pendants on retractable cords. This will enable them to be used for different situations. They could be lowered over the table for intimate dinners, say, or lifted up high to clear the space for a party.
Install them with dimmer switches so you can play around with the ambience to suit any mood.
To avoid being limited by the use of lighting in your space, you could install pendants on retractable cords. This will enable them to be used for different situations. They could be lowered over the table for intimate dinners, say, or lifted up high to clear the space for a party.
Install them with dimmer switches so you can play around with the ambience to suit any mood.
Highlight original features
By leaving beams exposed, you can create a great atmosphere and add interest to a large space. Opt for a natural timber finish, as here, or paint them in a contrasting colour for a more contemporary look.
Exposed beams make a comeback
By leaving beams exposed, you can create a great atmosphere and add interest to a large space. Opt for a natural timber finish, as here, or paint them in a contrasting colour for a more contemporary look.
Exposed beams make a comeback
Change the colour
To prevent a room from feeling overwhelmingly tall, change the colour or material of the walls halfway up. By opting for a darker shade at the top, the space gains a more intimate vibe. These homeowners have left the original brick of the building exposed, which adds great texture.
Or go the opposite way and make the lower half darker to create a cosy living space with a bright, light area above.
TELL US
Are you lucky enough to have a double-height room? Share how you’ve maximised the space in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more about architectural features
To prevent a room from feeling overwhelmingly tall, change the colour or material of the walls halfway up. By opting for a darker shade at the top, the space gains a more intimate vibe. These homeowners have left the original brick of the building exposed, which adds great texture.
Or go the opposite way and make the lower half darker to create a cosy living space with a bright, light area above.
TELL US
Are you lucky enough to have a double-height room? Share how you’ve maximised the space in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more about architectural features
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Interior Design
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
An interior designer reveals the essential rules for achieving a perfectly balanced interior
Full Story
Most Popular
An Interior Designer's Guide to Arranging Cushions
By Anne Ellard
Get to grips with your ever-growing pile of cushions with these professional tips for choosing and arranging cushions in your home
Full Story
Decorating
The Power of Negative Space in Interior Design
By Janet Dunn
A design element that's not even there can forever change how you view your home
Full Story
For Pros
Trade Shows: Why They're Important Events You Don't Want to Miss
From networking to insights into new and emerging trends, here's why trade shows should be a firm 'yes' in your calendar
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Queensland Houzz: A Cute Cottage Awash With Colour and Pattern
Bold colour, quirky prints and an abundance of art transformed this 1920s cottage into an inviting and relaxing gem
Full Story
Project Of The Week
Before & After: A Cheap & Cheerful Makeover of a 1980s Caravan
Armed with an AU$1500 budget, a Melbourne couple rolled up their sleeves and transformed a caravan in just three months
Full Story
Most Popular
Ask the Experts: What Goes With Tan Leather?
Embrace this versatile material, colour and texture with inspirational ideas from designers in the know
Full Story
Most Popular
Masonry Magic: 15 Ways to Trick Out Your Exposed Brick Wall
Do you find exposed brick walls cold? Add contemporary warmth and interest with these 15 transformative ideas
Full Story
Projects Born on Houzz
Before & After: From Dump Zone to New 'Welcome Home' Living Area
Home office, yoga zone, dumping ground... this front room was having a serious identity crisis – but look at it now!
Full Story
Picture Perfect
30 Christmas Schemes to Inspire and Delight
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
I would LOVE to live in a house with super high ceilings, as it gives any space a sense of grandeur and sophistication. High ceilings are awesome especially when married together with floor to ceiling doors and windows (especially French ones.) They make any space leading to and coming out from very elegant indeed.
Australian building standards lean towards the normal and boring 9' ceiling height - so......blah!
The high cabinets in the kitchen is the most impractical storage. I have a kitchen within double height space and use the top of the cupboard as an open display of large items. I need a ladder to get to that height which is very unnerving holding heavy items and moving just for dusting! I wonder what precious item one could store in that height and use a crane to get in there!!