How to break the ceiling height?
When the ceiling height is very high, the simplest trick for decorating the living room is to visually “break” the verticality. To do this, simply draw horizontal lines.
At first, you can play with elements already present in the room. In this charming house, the frame is used. Here, we opted for a rustic wood finish. In a more contemporary decor – or in the event that the wood has defects, you can use paint. The idea is to create a fairly pronounced contrast with the wall.
In a contemporary interior, we play with the partitions, even the structures. Here, it is a block accommodating the stove and storage space that distances itself from the ceiling. This redefines a smaller and more cozy volume in the living room.
A simple molding is very effective in visually lowering the ceiling. To succeed, choose a well-proportioned model. A thin model may indeed be sufficient when the ceiling height is less than 2.50 m. Beyond that, dare a thicker model, possibly enhanced with a pattern.
What color to decorate a living room with a ceiling that is too high?
When it comes to cheating a little to remodel the space, color plays a huge role.
A living room with a very high ceiling can be very bright, but it is also often very cold. We will therefore avoid white and very light colors, and we will prefer muted colors such as gray.
Of course, you can fall for the colorful living room. In this case, it is essential to take into account the size of the room. If it has a very high ceiling, but a rather modest size, it is better to opt for a cold color, which you can choose in a slightly smoky shade for a very cocooning atmosphere. Then bet on cozy materials such as velvet or wool for decoration.
In a large living room, everything is possible in terms of color: a vibrant shade, such as indigo blue, or a warm trendy color, such as orange-red. In this high-ceilinged living room, we also used an interesting trick: moldings installed on the top of the wall and all around the ceiling, and painted in a slightly different shade from that of the rest of the ceiling. By reducing the actual surface of the ceiling, this clever trompe-l’oeil gives the impression that it is much lower than it actually is!
Wall decoration: your best ally
A high ceiling implies a larger wall surface than a room with standard dimensions. This can quickly create a sense of emptiness. It is therefore more than ever necessary to take care of the wall decoration.
When it comes to furniture, the choice depends on the size of the room. If the living room has a high ceiling, but a fairly generous size, do not hesitate to choose high and relatively massive furniture. If the room is smaller, choose furniture with a more airy structure or low units. In any case, do not hesitate to hang a wall decoration above, making sure to choose a well-proportioned model.
As we have seen: a molding perfectly redefines volumes. It also delimits a wall surface that it is interesting to dress with a wall of frames, posters or mirrors.
The wall decoration may warm the atmosphere and give style to a room, it does not necessarily appeal to followers of minimalism. The alternative is to use the moldings for a classic chic atmosphere or to paint a geometric pattern for a more contemporary decor.
This long, high-ceilinged living room might seem tricky to furnish at first glance. To create a pleasant living space, we opted for low furniture. And here is a linear shelf that breaks the ceiling height. It allows you to display a collection of trinkets that perfectly dresses the space above the window.
Lighting: the essential finishing touch
Lighting is one of the key elements to enjoy a warm interior. They are of particular importance in a living room with a very high ceiling. The objective: to create a luminous bubble above the sofa and armchairs, in order to benefit from a comforting and cozy space after dark.
In the case of a high ceiling, the classic option is to tumble a chandelier or one or more suspensions. This solution can be counter-productive, because it will accentuate a significant height under the ceiling. The solution is to take inspiration from this Riviera-style show. The base is high enough to create a pleasant cocooning effect. The suspension is discreet – and if it produces a cozy light in the evening, it is almost invisible the rest of the time.
The XXL floor lamp is an interesting alternative: it will be fully put to its advantage in a living room with very high ceilings, and it undeniably brings a touch of originality to the decor!