Uplighters are a very effective way of lighting a room with low ceilings and will provide plenty of good quality ambient lighting. Uplighters include a wide range of wall lights and floor lamps. Meanwhile, floor lamps and table lamps are great for practical task lighting, while also adding ambience.
In order to give low ceilings some height, we advise painting them in light shades. Radiant white, soft cream or delicate pastel hues are best suited for low ceilings, as they open up the room visually, reflect the light better, and make the ceiling appear further away.
Recessed lighting is perfect if you have a low ceiling they are designed to sit flush with the surface of the ceiling for a sleek and polished finish.
Use Uplighting
Notice how the ceiling seems to float in this photo. Bouncing light off the ceiling creates visual height. Sconces, cove lighting and even affordable torchieres can deliver this effect. This is a great technique especially for basements.
Most homeowners pay around $60 per square foot to raise a ceiling. The price range for this project—between $50 and $75 per square foot—varies by home type and location.
Low ceilings are almost always going to need a light hardwood floor to battle the natural constraints that a low ceiling creates. An open floor plan will often be complimented with darker hardwood floors.
2. Or, keep things light and bright. NYC-based interior designer, Artem Kropovinsky, founder of Arsight, says, 'in smaller spaces or rooms with low ceilings, painting the ceiling and walls the same color can create an illusion of height and openness.
Light Colors
As such, most people using paint to make the room feel bigger opt for brighter colors that will reflect light. White works well, but you could also use colors like beige, grey, or pastels like yellow or blush. Consider these popular options: 0021 Barely White, a cool off-white hue.
Low ceilings and small rooms in these homes were designed so they could be easily heated by a central fireplace. As heating systems and insulation improved, the height of the ceiling rose to the point where, today, depending on a home's style, ceilings may be 9′ high, 10′ or more.
Low ceilings in your home isn't necessarily a bad thing. Before modern times, 8 feet was typically regarded as the standard height for ceilings. Today, however, not uncommonly, most ceilings are 9 or even 10 feet in height.
If a room in your home feels too restrictive, raising the ceiling is one way to create extra space. It is a complicated process that affects the stability of your home, so it requires a qualified contractor. Contact a contractor you trust to get an estimate of how much it will cost.
Typically, high ceilings boost a home's value by 5% to 25%; in fact, the National Association of Property Builders found that raising ceiling height increased property values by an average of $4,000. However, context is critical.
Typically a project tackled by a contractor, the cost to convert a flat ceiling to a vaulted ceiling can run you $18,000 to $35,000, adding major resale value to your home. But with a little engineering know-how and some solid carpentry skills, this project can be tackled by experienced DIYers.
Add reflective surfaces
Yes, you know that mirrors make a space appear larger. (“It's like doubling a room,” Curtis says.) But other reflective surfaces — high-gloss painted ceilings, lacquered furniture, shiny tile on a kitchen backsplash — have a similar effect, casting light and creating the illusion of volume.
Myth #1: My ceilings are too low for crown moldings.
In fact, using moldings that project further than the wall can provide an optical illusion that makes ceilings appear taller than they actually are. For rooms that are vertically challenged, use crown moldings to give modest spaces a sense of elegance.
Adding beams to a flat, low ceiling can give your design a real lift — breaking up the white space and adding some cozy texture — as this stunning project demonstrates!
' It's why color-drenched rooms feel modern and fresh - there's a minimalism to them that gives even spaces with traditional features a contemporary feel. Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls can also help a small room look larger, especially in rooms that have low ceilings.
When lighting a room with low ceilings, the trick is to aim for an even spread of light and avoid any dark corners or areas of high contrast. By using a variety of light sources, at different heights and levels, you can help to draw attention away from the ceiling and emphasise the wider space.
Uplighter Ceiling Lights
Stay away from lights that direct light downwards. Instead, choose why not choose an uplighter that will bounce light off the ceiling and diffuse it around the room. These light fittings are perfect for making a room appear bigger and brighter.