Low-ceilinged rooms can sometimes have a cosy charm, but they can also potentially feel a little claustrophobic – especially if there are few windows and they also aren’t very wide. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to make such a room feel taller and more spacious. Below are a few examples of tricks to try…
Low furniture
Opting for low furniture is a classic way to add a sense of height to a room. You can buy sofas with seats that are only 15 inches from the floor. Pair these with low side tables and a low TV cabinet (if the screen is too high it will cause neck stain when looking at it). Be wary that those with mobility issues may find low sofas and armchairs harder to get up from. For low ceilinged bedrooms, consider a low bed and matching bedside cabinets
Vertical blinds
When choosing window blinds shops, consider vertical blinds to make a room feel taller. The vertical slats draw the eye upward, and therefore create a sense of height. Curtains with vertical strips can have a similar effect. Thin horizontal slats or stripes can meanwhile have the opposite impact, making a room feel lower and wider.
Recessed lighting
Hanging lights will emphasise how low a ceiling is, plus taller people may end up bumping their head on these fittings. Recessed lights can help to create more headspace and will give a low-ceilinged room a tidier look. Install these across the ceiling to brighten up the whole room.
High paintings
Another way to create the illusion of tallness is to hang up paintings or pictures above eye level. This forces people to look up, making people feel smaller and making the room feel taller. For this illusion to work, make sure all paintings and pictures hung on the wall are at the same height. You can also increase the sense of height by placing low furniture beneath and leaving the wall between this furniture and pictures empty.
Skinny mirror
A tall and skinny mirror could also help to add a sense of height to a room. As with vertical blinds, such mirrors can draw the eye upwards. Mirrors are also great tools for adding depth to a room, as they can often feel like extra windows or doorways. You can also use them to reflect light and make a room feel brighter.
Colour continuity
Painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls is a well-known decor trick to make a room feel taller. This is because it eliminates any boundaries between the walls and ceiling, creating a similar impression to an open sky (especially if you use a colour like white or light blue). This isn’t the only paint trick you can use to add height – painting the top half of a wall a lighter colour and the bottom half a darker tone may also help to make a room taller. Vertical paint stripes or wallpaper with vertical stripes can also create a similar impression.
