How to Design a Ceiling
Ceiling design is an element that goes in and out of fashion. Historical ornate examples of beautifully embellished ceilings such as the Sistine Chapel remind us to look up. In many homes ceilings are the largest unfinished space in the room. Often we opt for white painted ceilings because we are not sure how to design or decorate a ceiling. When we bring thoughtful design to the ceiling we can add value to the home and a sense of completeness to the decor. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure the room and transfer dimensions to graph paper at scale. There are two basic types of ceiling design: the existing ceiling that constrains the design and the home design still in the design phase (pre-construction). First, determine the budget and the objectives of a project. Ripping out a ceiling on an existing home can be very expensive and may not return a good value.
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Draw the orientation of the room on the graph paper. A fabulous view may be the objective of expanding a ceiling height. Improved light conditions and a sense of space are also familiar objectives. Determine how much height is enough. Think about homes you've entered with gigantic vaulted ceilings that are empty and abandoned like spiderweb orphans. The ceiling you want should work for you but not be too much for the rest of the home.
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Sketch the type of ceiling you imagine. A traditional home may have coffered ceilings with extensive moldings. A contemporary home may have a curved ceiling and smart modern lines and finishes. A Spanish style home may have exposed beams and adobe. Many mid-price transitional homes feature double height ceilings with recessed vaults called trays. The style you choose should work with the architecture and finishes in the rest of the house.
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Ask an appropriate city agency about any restrictions that may exist for building the type of ceiling you want. Many communities have strict building height and roof pitch requirements. If your design is complex and you want to span large rooms you will need the assistance of an architect and structural engineer.
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Consider transforming an existing ceiling with paint, the addition of new lights, the addition of trim moldings or panelling, beams or other architectural features. Often existing ceilings can be removed to expose existing framing which can be reworked to expand the visual height without a complete roof removal.
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Tips & Warnings
When painting, if you select a light version of your wall color for the ceiling, it will complement the walls and decor. Consider two-tone colors or simple trims to create the effects of more expensive ceiling design.
References
- Photo Credit curves on ceiling image by Ni Chun from Fotolia.com
