One of my most popular posts is about decorating stategies for homes with low ceilings. And I recently came across two fantastic examples of homes that are making the most of their “short”-comings, so I thought I would create an update with these two beauties to inspire others with vertically challenged homes. The following houses are proof positive that you don’t need soaring ceilings to create a stunning home. Plus there is a lot to be said for the coziness lower ceilings create. I hope you enjoy this mini-curation of more low ceilings!
New England Cape
This New England cape in Wayland, MA has a beautiful high-ceiling addition, but it is the details of the original 1952 house that make this home special.
The walls and the ceiling are all the same color in the serene bedroom making it difficult for the eye to determine where one stops and the other begins. The uplighting achieved by the large bedside table lamps also adds to the illusion of height.
The living room employs the same unified palette to trick the eye aided by recessed lighting. The vertical paneling on the fireplace wall counteracts the low ceilings. All of the furniture and other millwork (including the mantel and horizontal wainscoting) is scaled appropriately and kept low to give the walls the feeling of height.
The kitchen uses full height cabinetry and recessed lighting to create a modern and beautiful space that doesn’t at all feel small.
Massachusetts Ranch
The next home is actually my neighbor’s. She has an incredible style and design eye and did a fantastic job with her first home. Sadly she is moving on – but luckily not too far away and I am sure she will add her signature sparkle to the next home. And I look forward to seeing it! For now, we can all appreciate her taste and ways she added height to her 1955 ranch home.
In the open concept living/dining and kitchen, the walls and ceilings and even cabinetry all have the same color or near-same color to create a sense of openess and light. The recessed lighting also helps brighten without infringing down into the room. Smaller scale upholstered furniture, low profile poufs, and a transparent coffee table all contribute to reducing the effect of the low ceilings.
Hanging the curtains at the ceiling is another way to add height to walls. If you look through the picture window, you catch a glimpse of my house!
Full height cabinetry and a smaller scale crown that almost blends into the ceiling creates height. The transparent kitchen bar stools echo the coffee table and almost blend into the island.
Finally, the bath here shows the wisdom of a vertical wall treatment. The “stripes” created by the beadboard definitely draw the eye upward!
Final Thoughts
I hope these two new examples give you more inspiration for your home with low ceilings. Remember to accentuate the positive! I’ve been taking a mindfulness class and I have been using what I’m learning to change my mindset about most things – including my home. It’s easy for all of us to say that this or that isn’t perfect, or that room is a mess or out-dated, or my ceilings are low – so my space will never be what I want it to be. I go down that path too. But, I’ve been trying to focus on the good parts of my home – the spaces that sing right now – and enjoy them to the fullest. Implement some of these tips and you can make the most of your maison!
Looking for more low ceiling inspiration? Check out this additional information:
8 Ways to Fix a Home with Low Ceilings
Low Profile Coffee Tables for Homes with Low Ceilings
