6 ceiling designs you should have heard of by now

Johannes van Graan Johannes van Graan
homify Modern living room
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Ceilings have a definite effect on a structure’s interior look – not to mention the fact that they are also quite crucial in terms of safety, keeping the elements outdoors, etc. But have you ever stopped to consider the different kinds of ceiling designs? 

Sure, your typical modern-styled house might flaunt simple, flat ceilings, but there are various other designs that are distinctly more attractive and decorative.

Let’s look at six of the most popular ceiling designs…

1. Conventional ceiling

The standard ceiling type commonly seen in houses, the conventional ceiling has a simple flat surface with an accessible height. Easy to decorate, these ceilings are simple and straightforward with nothing special about them – and that’s the entire point. 

2. Suspended ceiling

Also called a “drop” ceiling, the suspended ceiling differs from a conventional one in the fact that it’s a flat ceiling placed below an existing one. This is usually to hide elements like wiring and other pieces of mechanical fixtures from the original ceiling.

Although a suspended ceiling usually gives off an industrial feeling, decorated panels are available should you want it to flaunt another type of style (such as contemporary or rustic). 

A suspended ceiling is usually made up of a lightweight, acoustic panel and a suspended metal grid. This grid is attached to the existing ceiling while the panels are inserted into the grid. 

3. Tray ceiling

A tray ceiling is built upwards in a cut-out design resembling a tray. It has a rectangular centre that either pops out or is inverted inwards for a visual effect, ensuring quite the unique style for a room (and is also great for making a small space seem taller).  

These designs are very common in dining rooms and kitchens, and sometimes a series of steps are added to the ceiling for a more dramatic look. 

4. Coffered ceiling

These ceilings are known by their waffle-like patterns, seeing as they are made up of a grid of sunken panels accented by moulding. A great choice for classic- and colonial-style interiors, coffered ceilings are usually found in vintage and high-end homes. 

Coffered ceilings used to be made with prized wood or carved stone, resulting in quite the hefty prices. Nowadays, however, they are available for basically the same cost as a suspended ceiling. 

5. Cathedral ceiling

With their equally sloping sides forming an upturned V at the highest point, cathedral ceilings are also known by another name: vaulted ceilings. This type is directly attached to the roof trusses (which need to be wide enough to allow for proper ventilation and appropriate insulation) and rises all the way up to the structure’s very top. 

Cathedral ceilings are usually chosen as they give an open, spacious feel to a room. But keep in mind that while it lends warmth and elegance to a space, it can be tricky to paint and change light fixtures, plus will make quite a difference to your heating bills (as the ceiling creates space nearly as big as two rooms, it will require more heating than for a room with a regular ceiling). 

6. Beam ceiling

It is especially spaces with modern-rustic- and contemporary styles that are appreciating beam ceilings more and more. But in fact, these types of ceilings are actually of the traditional style where the load-bearing beams are exposed, creating more visual detail on the inside of the house / structure. 

Usually, these beams are made of hardwood, yet a lot of beam ceilings these days use light-weight faux beams that are designed specifically to create visual impact (not for load bearing). 

Get ready to pay attention because we’re about to show you The right way to make your home look more luxurious.

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