The ceiling, also known as the fifth room according to many interior designers, the ceiling of a building is one of the crucial elements that form the structural elements in the area of functionality and creativity. Though it is typically the last place people look at in a room, if it’s styled beautifully; the difference will be highly clear and visible.
The functions of a ceiling cannot be underestimated, as there are so many ceiling design styles available that can significantly influence the total look of a room or building. One of the functions of a ceiling is that; it can conceal any messed up roofing properties like ducts, pipes, wires etc. which can make the room unattractive.
Before choosing a ceiling design for your home or building, it is vital to take note of some factors to get a befitting ceiling style. Factors like; the style of home you have, your budget, and how you want your home to look like.
So this will lead us to the different types of ceiling designs available. They are:
Conventional Ceiling Design
This is the most commonly seen ceilings in most homes; it usually measured 8-10 feet high to fit regular construction size; it has a simple flat surface just like the walls. Some of the advantages of the conventional ceiling is that; it’s effortless to paint in any desired colors and more comfortable to maintain due to its flat and simple surface. It can also incorporate various lighting modes and molding to enhance its look.
Some of the disadvantages are:
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Some of the disadvantages are; that it looks so boring showing nothing special about the outlook, it’s only through painting that it may appeal to people.
Installation:
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It is very easy to install because of its nature. You can maintain the ceiling by cleaning the surface with a brush and clean cloth.
Coffered Ceiling
This is an elegant ceiling option which is similar to the tray ceiling. It is the series of a beam in a geographical pattern which can be rectangular, square or triangular shaped, with crown molding added to it to give out a dramatic effect and outlook.
Some are bare beams while others are crown molding surrounding the beam to enhance the look. It is made from various materials including different woods, medium density fiberboard (MDF) plasters, and high-density urethane foam.
This type of ceiling design is most common in luxury and high-end homes like mansions, hotels, and historic buildings across the world because it adds an amount of elegance and sophistication to a room.
Recessed lighting style with a chandelier works perfectly with this type of ceiling design. Any room in the house can look superb with a coffered ceiling, including living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedroom.
Some of the advantages of this ceiling design are:
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It adds beauty to a specific space in the room, and it catches the eyes upwards to the design
It creates the illusion of space and gives an aesthetic appeal to the house.
Some of the advantages/ disadvantages are:
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It increases the home value and can cover the ceiling flaws. The disadvantages are that it’s expensive than other types of ceiling design and they don’t work well in smaller rooms.
Installation:
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Coffered ceilings are more comfortable to install and very adjustable in terms of each square grid size and can be custom fitted easily to work around it.
The maintenance is more comfortable just by cleaning the surface.
Tray Ceiling Design
The tray ceiling, also known as inverted or recessed ceiling is named that way because it looks like the top of a tray. It is usually seen in the kitchen and dining room resembling a tray. It can be made from almost any material.
It has a rectangular centre that is inverted or popped out to give it a nice effect; the unique effects it brings to a room can make a small room to look bigger and taller. But this type of ceiling works best for large rooms with a high ceiling as it prevents a room from looking cavernous by giving it a unique visual effect.
Combined with paints and different molding and lighting, tray ceiling can be the most significant part of a room.
Some of the advantages/ disavantages are:
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Some of the advantages include; making the room look taller and bigger, it can also blend with any color scheme you want to add to it.
One of the disadvantages of tray ceiling is that it works well only in large rooms.
Installation:
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It is very easy to install, and the maintenance is easy too just by cleaning it.
Cathedral Ceiling Design
Cathedral ceiling is also known as a vaulted ceiling; it features a high and sloping symmetrical line forming the upside down of the shape of V at the highest point possible.
It is a great ceiling model if you own a house that has a low or flat ceiling that looks dull, cramped or ancient, this is because a cathedral ceiling can add air space, value and overall Roman beauty to a home.
It has different designs and styles with a slanted ceiling that follows the trusses of the roof pitch; it makes a room look bigger with the churchy outlook it gives.
Some of the advantages/ disavantages are:
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Some of the advantages are; it gives a spacious and grandeur feel to the room it’s installed in, it can also increase the lighting and tonal warmth in a room.
The disadvantages are; it is costly to install as it requires more framing, it wastes a lot of energy and increases the cost of energy payment, it is very difficult to clean especially when there are cobwebs on it which will require getting a ladder or scaffolding to be able to clean it.
Installation:
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So before installing a cathedral ceiling, it is advisable to ask oneself if one is available for the challenges it entails.
Beam Ceiling Design
A beamed ceiling is the one in which the beams of the ceiling are visible and exposed instead of being covered.
It is typically a traditional style of the ceiling in which the load-bearing beams are visible in the house; it is made from hardwood or other materials or the combination of other materials, the choice now depends on the preference of the user.
Faux wood beams can be installed to enjoy the rustic look without using actual wood. It is mostly installed in the dining and living room of spacious houses.
While beam ceilings can offer traditional, rustic and warm look to a room but not all architectural designs are built to accommodate exposed ceiling beams.
There are different types of ceiling beam which are namely:
Boxed Beams:
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These types of beams are arranged in a waffle-like style similar to the coffered ceiling in a square or rectangular shape.
Hammer Beams:
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These types of beams are short vertical and horizontal beams that are hinged to the wall to hold the roof.
Polyurethane Beams:
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This is a great type of beam which is made of Polyurethane, which is light in weight; it can be painted or stained like real wood.
Wood Faux Beams:
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These types of beams are three-sided hollowed beams that look like heavy wood, but it’s light in weight. But they need to be painted first before installing them.
Some of the advantages are:
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The enhanced look and appeal it gives to the home, and the greatness it gives to extremely high ceilings. The disadvantages is that; there is less insulation in a room with a beamed ceiling, and also the cost of construction and workmanship is very expensive.
Installation:
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It is hard to install, and the maintenance is done by using a ladder or scaffolding to do some repairs and cleaning.
Cove Ceiling Design
This is a ceiling design that is characterized by a section that is extended from the four walls of a room to the centre to accent the actual ceiling like a frame. Originally, a cove is curved from the wall upward, but that has changed lately due to modern variations which included angular designs.
It is usually painted white to match the trim of the room to bring out the beauty and style of the room.
Some of the advantages/ disavantages are:
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It can add a traditional and contemporary look to the home, can make a ceiling appears very high and can also add economic value to your home. Some of the major problems of the cove ceiling are that it’s hard and costly to create compared to conventional ceiling design.
Installation:
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It is also hard to paint or install a crown molding on this type of ceiling due to the curved profiles on it.
Some Other Common Ceiling Designs:
Ceiling Medallion
Ceiling medallion is an ornamental decorative piece mostly round in shape that is used to beautify a ceiling. The styles are usually based on flowers or leaf designs and sometimes simple plain discs.
It is made from coated Polyurethane foam.
Ceiling Wood
Decorating the ceiling of a room with wood can add a touch of warmth and traditional touch to your home.
Using wood is a great choice considering the low price and the varieties it comes with. It can be painted and styled with different colors depending on the decision of the user.
Ceiling Tiles
This is also known as ceiling panel; it is a light-weight building material used to cover a ceiling. It provides thermal insulation, but it’s primarily designed to improve the acoustic level of the room as well as giving it a beautiful aesthetic look. It is available in different colors, styles, pattern, coatings, color, finish, thickness, shapes and sizes. Used mostly in residential, commercial and industrial settings.
Ceiling Molding
Ceiling molding is a magical fix that is added to the joint of a ceiling and a wall, and this gives the room a total beautiful change in outlook. The most common type of ceiling molding is the crown molding available in different sizes and styles.
Ceiling Glass
This is a transparent ceiling material that is used to cover the ceiling of a room, and it comes in various styles, sizes, patterns etc.
Ceiling Drop
This is also known as a suspended ceiling; it is a flat ceiling built below the main ceiling. This type of ceiling is suitable for hiding wires and other mechanical fixtures from the original ceiling and still maintaining the decorative look.
This style lover the original height of the ceiling to the floor by at least six inches.
Ceiling Beams
Ceiling beams are the roof covering material of a home; it can either be original or faux. It is made from either wood, plastic, foam or resin. The choice of a particular ceiling beam to be used depends on the architectural structure of the building.
