7 fabulous ideas for ceiling finishes

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Soffitto e pareti "Sala Rinascimento", Artmande Artmande Classic style houses
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Ancient Roman architect Vitruvius proclaimed that “the eye is always in search of beauty.” While decorating the interior of our houses or apartments, we must take necessary steps to gratify its desire and, in the process, create a pleasurable and peaceful abode for ourselves. A meticulously designed room must also boast a beautiful ceiling décor. 

Our modern homes may have carefully designed walls, flooring and other elements of décor, but we do not always give the same attention to the embellishment of our ceilings. Low ceiling heights and space crunch in modern homes do not encourage us to elaborately decorate the ceilings. We fear that we will end up with a space that looks cluttered. However, skilfully planned ornate ceilings instantly augment the beauty of any room and do not contribute in cluttering the space at all. 

Modern designers are finding more than one way of jazzing up the ceilings. Most of these ideas are inspired by the creations of ancient architects and engineers, but are repurposed for modern use. Presented here are some of the finest examples of ceiling decoration, which you can replicate in the interior of your home.

Coffered ceiling

Since the days of ancient Greece, coffered ceilings have been prized possessions of many residential buildings. Coffered ceilings add another dimension to modern interiors. Besides enjoying the aesthetic presence, coffered ceilings can be used to neatly hide electrical wires and fixtures. You can seek expert help or, with some professional advice, build a coffered ceiling yourself. 

See how beautifully Yucubedesign decorated the ceiling of this living room. If space is on the smaller side, use understated colours or a combination of wood and soft pastel shades.

Vaulted ceiling

Vaulted ceilings were a major architectural feature of many an ancient edifice. With some efforts, the simplest of them all, a barrel vaulted ceiling, can be recreated in a modern building. 

Vaulting a ceiling will require some structural alterations. You will have to create a frame with rafters, rearrange electrical and ductwork, reinforce it and decorate according to your tastes. This may not be a budget friendly option, but it is an intelligent way of adding volume to any room. You can also install skylights to brighten up the room even further.

Mirrored and lacquered ceiling

You can easily introduce a touch of glamour into the interior of your home by using mirrored or highly glossy surfaces on the ceilings. Apart from giving a stunning makeover to any room, this helps to create a more expansive interior. 

Choose faux ceiling panels with a mirrored finish for a dramatic look. Alternatively, use high gloss paints to add a reflective sheen. Follow the overall colour scheme of your house and choose a colour or white paint—check our tips on applying coat of paints to walls and ceilings for further advice! In this case, use a spray gun instead of a roller for a smoother finish. To add texture, gently sand the paint down before and after each coat.

Art inspired

Fascinating works of art on the ceilings of Toledo Museum, Sistine Chapel, Ali Kapu Music Room of Esfahan, Ajanta Caves of India and other structures of such historic significance still captivate us with their beauty. This is one of the finest ways of decking out your rooms. 

By creating intricate marginalia with stucco or using the mischievous charm of trompe-l’œil illustrations, you are sure to end up with an elegant interior capable of drawing admiring glances.

Decorative wood

The warmth of natural wood can easily transform any space. Use wood panels on the ceiling and create a charming interior by refurbishing the exposed beams or studding it with decorative objects. 

Eastern homes prefer using intricately carved beams, instead of utilising external objects to decorate them. Most of these are produced by local artisans. If you have reasonable brushwork skills, you too can exercise your talent by painting your wooden beams in the colours of your imagination.

Illuminated ceiling

Illuminated, luminous or daylight ceiling is a product of recent developments in lighting technology. Backlit LED panels are used in conjunction with photographs or motifs to create a dramatic finish. Though it is an expensive option, the charm of illuminated ceilings is growing by the day. Improvements in lighting technology also ensure lower electricity consumption. 

You can enhance your hallway, living room, dining parlour or swimming pool complex using this method. Being a space designed for repose and relaxation, bedrooms should be spared from this -the theatrical presence can adversely affect sleep pattern and peacefulness of mind!

Decorating with fabric

In an otherwise simple room, fabric covered ceilings can create a fabulous atmosphere. It is easy, cost effective and not as time consuming as some of the other options for ceiling decorations. If you have a knack for sewing, you will be able to create fantastical ceiling finishes using silk, muslin, tulle, satin or embroidered cotton fabric in a weekend or two. 

Use colours and motifs that complement the other aspects of décor in a specific room. Fabric used in such a way will require periodic cleaning, so make sure it is easy to remove and fix. Keep more than one set to embellish the rooms based on seasons or special occasions. 

To stylishly decorate a room, do not forget to check out the latest trends in minimalist accessories.

These are just a few ways of creating a beautiful ceiling. Which one of these inspires you most? Let us know below!

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