There are many tricks that people use to give off the perception of having a larger room or a higher ceiling, as many times it is not feasible to change the original framing of a house. The power of illusion allows homeowners to use the existing architecture along with strategically placed furniture, paintings, or even a certain shade of paint to help make a ceiling look higher than it truly is, and similar to fashion, stripes can help make a room look deeper, or taller depending on if they are horizontal or vertical.
Ecoline Windows provides homeowners with many options for renovating, replacing, and upgrading their existing windows, doors, and patio doors to help bring about that perfect change to their homes. With locations across Canada, their products are manufactured locally in Ontario, providing sustainable window replacement options.
Accessories and Decorations
Mirrors: Mirrors help reflect light throughout the room, giving the perception of a space that is larger than it actually is. They can be hung up, or simply be leaning against a wall to give an added effect; tall, skinny mirrors will help provide the greatest emphasis on higher ceilings.
Window Treatments: A simple hack when decorating and choosing window treatments is to hang them higher to the ceiling, which provides the illusion of a higher set window and hence a higher ceiling. Choosing window treatments that flow down naturally, such as curtains or drapes, also helps give the same illusion, as do lighter treatments. Another suggestion for treatments is to choose ones that allow some amounts of light in if privacy is not an issue, as natural light will also help the space look larger.
Vertical Displays: Using tall accessories and displays also helps draw the eyes upward towards the ceiling. Tall plants and lamps can be used to give the perception of a higher ceiling, while a tall, narrow bookshelf close to the ceiling with a vertical line of books will help provide an illusion of a higher ceiling as well, says Ecoline Windows.
Paint
Light Colours: One well-known trick to painting a ceiling is to paint it white or an off-white colour. This is due to the fact that the lighter colour makes the ceiling look higher, and a room feel larger and more airy, as lighter colours reflect light more easily than darker ones. If painting the ceiling a different colour, Ecoline Windows suggests to paint it lighter than the wall, as it will provide a similar look and feel.
Vertical Stripes: Used extensively in fashion, vertical stripes help to elongate the look of body and similarly stripes can be used on walls to give the look of a more stretched out height. Diagonal lines can also be used, provided that they are more vertical than horizontal as to not take away from the look of a higher ceiling. Both painted stripes, as well as wallpaper, can be used in various textures and patterns.
Finishing: The most common ceiling finish is a matte finish, which helps take away from people looking up, helping trick the mind into thinking the ceiling is not there and therefore a perceived higher ceiling. Some people opt for painting with a gloss finish, which can also help as it reflects more light around the room. There is no one correct finish; however, it is recommended to keep the same finish throughout the floor for consistency.
Ecoline Windows on Structural Changes
Remove Hanging Lights: One of the reasons many ceilings tend to look a lot lower than they are is due to chandeliers or low hanging lights. These types of lights tend to draw the eyes downward, giving the perception of a lower ceiling and instead Ecoline Windows suggests using flush-mounted or recessed lighting. With newer types of LED recessed, panel, and retrofit lighting, they seamlessly blend in with the ceiling, helping provide the illusion of a higher ceiling. If using a chandelier for the dining room, it is suggested to use glass or clear fixtures to allow for light to pass through.
Increase Natural Light Sources: Another way to make a space look larger or taller is by increasing the amount of natural light coming into a room, which can be done through a couple different ways.
In rooms that have an exterior wall, larger windows can be added helping flood a room with natural light, while French doors can be installed leading out to a backyard patio, helping provide both a light source, as well as drawing the eyes upward to the sky — a limitless ceiling. Ecoline Windows also suggests using transom windows above doors and windows, which helps bring in light, while also drawing the eyes upwards, both increasing the illusion of a higher ceiling.
Renovations: There are a few simple renovation hacks that can be worked in as well. In the kitchen, many times cabinets are hung much lower than where the ceiling is for ease of access, but to provide the optimal look of a high ceiling, it is suggested to hang the cabinets right at the top rather than leave a gap. This provides a longer cabinet look making the ceiling height look higher, while also providing extra storage space. The use of glass doors also will give the illusion of having more space, while also accenting the kitchens woodwork. Raising interior door openings closer to the ceiling works in a similar fashion, giving the look of higher ceilings.
