High ceilings can add a touch of grandeur and spaciousness to any room. However, they also present interior designers and architectural engineering with the challenge of filling the vertical space effectively. If you find yourself with lofty ceilings and want to make the most of them, here are some tips to consider:
1. Think horizontally
When choosing furniture for a room with high ceilings, pay attention to scale. Avoid the mistake of selecting pieces that are either too small and get swallowed up by the space or too large and overpower the room. Measure the floor space carefully and consider creating two-dimensional layouts using interior design software or simple tools like painter’s tape and a tape measure. Opt for wider furniture, such as longer daybeds, or increase the quantity of furniture in the room to make it feel well-proportioned.
2. Look up
Embrace the verticality of the room by drawing attention upward. If you have a piece of furniture that falls short of the ceiling, consider adding additional elements on top, like extra drawers or shelves. Enhance the height of the space by incorporating tall floor plants, floor lamps, or floor-to-ceiling drapery. By extending drapes to the ceiling rather than placing them at the window line, you maintain a sense of continuity and prevent the design from feeling cut in half.
3. Consider the entire wall
Instead of treating each wall as an individual space, think of the walls as a cohesive unit. Look for ways to create visual interest that is proportionally appropriate for the size of the wall. For example, you could hang multiple textured canvases on one wall or display a few midsize sculptural pieces on another. The key is to determine how much of the wall needs to be filled to achieve the right scale.
4. Embrace negative space
While it’s important to provide visual interest, remember that negative space can be just as impactful. Avoid the urge to cover every inch of the walls. By intentionally leaving some walls blank, you allow the eye to rest and prevent the room from feeling cluttered. Negative space provides balance and allows the focal points in the room to shine.
5. Layer and soften acoustics
High ceilings often result in echoes and a sense of emptiness. Combat this by embracing layering and adding textiles to the space. Consider using large drapes to emphasise the height of the walls and dampen sound reverberation. Rugs and other textiles also contribute to a sense of warmth and cosiness in the room, both visually and acoustically.
6. Opt for fewer, larger pieces
Instead of overcrowding the space with numerous small accessories, consider choosing fewer, but larger, statement pieces. This approach creates a sense of sophistication and ensures that each item commands attention. For example, opt for thicker shelves with fewer items displayed, or incorporate larger decorative objects that have a significant visual impact. Remember, in this case, less is more, but on a larger scale.
If you look at it another way, high ceilings offer interior design companies in Dubai the opportunity to explore more in terms of design. The idea is to embrace the vertical space, create a sense of proportion, and allow certain areas to breathe. By doing so, the room can be transformed into a captivating and visually stunning space that highlights the beauty of high ceilings.