Ceiling Designs that Raise the Atmosphere to New Heights

We are so fixated on perfecting the flooring and smooth coats of paint on the walls during a remodel that we often overlook what’s right above our heads. The ceiling is the widest open surface in pretty much any room. This means that it has a huge influence on the vibe of the entire room.

Many brilliant ceiling designs can create a very unique atmosphere in your interior. Luckily, there are plenty of options for you to choose from on your next remodeling endeavors. Whether you have space, practicality, or style in mind, there are ceiling designs for everyone. 

Simple and Conventional Ceiling Designs

Conventional Ceilings that Are Anything But Boring

The simpler things in life are very attractive for that very reason; they are simple. Sometimes, overcomplicating the interior and cluttering it with all kinds of ornate details can take away from the beauty of simplicity. 

With this in mind, make the best of what you have with conventional ceiling types. These are a single smooth surface usually accentuated with a lighting fixture and painted with a single color. Do not let this simplicity fool you into thinking they are boring, however. While the ceiling itself may be simple and conventional it is up to the surrounding elements to give the interior more character. If you do not wish to leave a bare ceiling up top, why not compliment it with a platform ceiling which reaches down lower and adds a nice change of pace. And there is always the opportunity of livening up the vibe with a more complex lighting fixture. 

Bare Concrete Above

An Industrial Style Concrete Ceiling that Doesn’t Lack for Warmth or Character

Industrial or loft interiors take simplicity and utilitarianism to the next level. Not only will you find bare, minimal ceilings in these interiors, but a lot of the time they may only be painted over with a very thin, barely-there coat to protect the surface. 

This is a more extreme design choice and may not accommodate everyone’s stylistic preferences. However, if you are looking for a ceiling that will complement an industrial or loft interior then leaving a bare concrete ceiling could be the way to go. It is highly recommended that you speak with a ceiling specialist before sanding or scraping away any paint, though. You need a professional’s touch to tell you whether or not the concrete of your ceiling can be left bare. Some concrete mixtures are a lot more flaky and dusty than others and while a finish can prevent these particles from falling below, it is better to get the green light from a professional before doing anything with your ceiling.

Tray and Conventional Ceiling Combo

Combining Design Elements To Make Your Ceiling Unique

Mixing and matching all kinds of elements is what makes interior design such an interesting trade. While there are conventions to follow as with any other craft interior designers love to experiment and fuse. You can do a bit of experimenting yourself by combining a conventional ceiling with a tray to create something very subtle yet unique. 

Tray ceilings feature a border that lines the edges where the wall and ceiling meet, making the top of the room look like a picture frame. On their own, tray ceilings are very attractive. But to give the room some extra character and a bit more complexity, consider combining the two designs. By segmenting the ceiling into different parts you can also experiment with varied materials and colors. A two-tone combo can make for a gorgeous addition to any room and make the room look complex without being an eyesore.

Open Cathedral at Home

Cottage Style Open Cathedral Ceiling for the Architecture Lovers

Many homeowners who are looking for that cottage appeal in their interior have all kinds of vaulted ceiling ideas to choose from. One of the most popular types of slanted ceilings is the cathedral ceiling. Much like with actual cathedrals across the world, cathedral ceilings in the home are angled or slanted with the two sides joining together along the center. 

With some rustic light fixtures, such as a wrought iron chandelier or a few glass sconces you can turn an otherwise plain room into a gorgeous cabin. Use the roof support beams as elements in your interior and you will surely create something that is both cozy and luxurious.

Chic and Ornate

Classic Ceiling Molding for a Vintage Victorian Aesthetic

This home ceiling design is by far one of the most glamorous styles out there. Ceiling molding has been a classic feature in interior surfaces for centuries. They come in all sorts of designs and patterns that you can choose from to embellish your interior with. 

Perfect for a grand living room ceiling where every small design detail counts, the chic and ornate look is one classic that will always have its old-soul audiences. It is easy to see why modern spins on Victorian interiors are very popular nowadays. 

Round False Ceilings

Ceiling Designs that Help Highlight Unique Light Fixtures

False ceilings feature a round centerpiece usually topped off — or bottomed off in this case —  with a grandiose lighting fixture. If you have a gorgeous chandelier or an interesting flush mount light fixture that you want to show off, your best way of doing this is with a round false ceiling as its stage.

The false ceiling has a round indentation that is typically centered in the middle of the ceiling. With the light fixture situated in the middle of this indentation, it becomes the centerpiece of the whole room. Do keep in mind that a false ceiling may not work in all interiors. This ceiling design works better with ceilings that have plenty of surface area to work with otherwise the indentation will make the ceiling look smaller than it is. 

Rustic Beamed Ceilings

Farmhouse Style Rustic Beamed Ceilings for Regal Coziness

If you are looking for that rustic farmhouse aesthetic, beams are your way to go. Whether you use faux or solid wooden beams to line your ceiling you’ll get to enjoy a complete change in atmosphere. While these beams seem like a relatively small addition to make in a bigger room, they are quite the eye-catcher and can further emphasize the depth of the interior.

You would traditionally find wooden beams in more rustic structures, such as cabins, cottages, farmhouses, and barns. But they’ve been on the rise, making urban and residential spaces cozier for a while now, and everyone’s loving it.

Reflective Tray Surface

Get the Serious Japandi Look with a Reflective Tray Ceiling

Another tray design that has caught the eye of homeowners and interior designers alike is reflective ceilings. The concept is very simple: a tray ceiling that is covered in a reflective finish. After all, Big windows or big mirrors on walls do a lot more than help you see your reflection. Reflective surfaces can be used to visually enlarge the room and make it more spacious. By finishing the ceiling with a reflective surface you open up visual headroom even if the ceiling is low. 

Classic Coffered

Variations On a Classic Coffered Ceiling Theme

A beloved addition in classic and modern classic interiors is the coffered ceiling. This design is similar to the tray ceiling with the main difference being that instead of one large angular frame, there are several of them covering the entire ceiling. These small sunken frames are referred to as coffers and are often arranged in a grid pattern for a unique visual effect.

A very important aspect of this design to consider is how many coffers you want in the ceiling. Having coffers that are too few and far in between takes away from the neat aesthetic effect, whereas having too many coffers can make the ceiling look like a beehive. This is something you may need to consider with a professional interior designer who can help you understand how other aspects of the interior will work with the coffered design, such as the lighting, furniture, and colors.