Most of the effort we spend on our interiors is focused around eye height or below. That makes sense, given that it’s what we see when we step into a room. Not only is it the first impression, but it’s also the way we’ll predominantly see the room too.
This simple fact is why the ceiling doesn’t get as much love as it perhaps should be. After all, it’s primarily there because it serves a function. Many people just paint it white and forget about it, save for the occasional touch-up job and swapping out light bulbs when they stop working.
That’s a real shame because, if done right, your ceiling could be the crowning glory of a room. It might not get as much attention as the parts of the room at eye height, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make a statement all of its own. The question is… what should you do to generate ceiling interest, to ensure that it always has something to say?
Below are three options for bringing new life and ensuring everything that looks up is worth seeing.
Light Fantastic: Chandeliers and Decorative Lights
We’ll start simple. No longer do you just have to throw a basic lampshade around the bare bulb and call it a day; now, lighting is infinitely more interesting. From the pendant lamps that dominated style for much of 2016 to the elaborate modern chandeliers that glitter with a thousand different colours at once, your light fixture choices are legion.
Realistically, the choice you make is based on how much effort you’re willing to put in. If you don’t have the time or budget for a visit from chandelier installers or an electrician to wire in proper pendants, then just look for decorative lampshades that require no extra wiring. This can be trickier than it sounds, so make sure you scan product descriptions in detail so you’re always getting what you’ve bargained for.
If you are able to invest in a full change of fixture, then do it – you won’t regret it.
Cov(er)ing The Bland: Coving For The Modern House
Coving is a little old fashioned, a side-effect of a time when it was predominantly used to disguise the fact walls weren’t quite as perfectly aligned as they should be. It can look a little dated, admittedly – but it can also look fantastic.
Modern coving is simple, easy to use, affordable, and relatively fuss-free when it comes to installation. You don’t just have to use the basic white, either – sand it down and paint it the same colour as the walls, but with more texture instantaneously. Or you could choose a contrast colour that draws people’s’ eyes up, so the entire room looks taller.
False Beams
If you don’t live in a Tudor-era house, then you don’t have to live without beams – in fact, you get the best of both worlds. Your home can feature the look of the 16th century with the ingenuity and ease of use of the 21st – what could be better?
Beams give a ceiling a polished, beautiful look while also providing further decor opportunities. You could, for example, hang hooks from the beams to even further enhance your ceiling interest, so why not consider and see if they might work for you?
Love,
*This is a collaborative post