Tuesday, August 9, 2016

5 TIPS for Low Ceilings

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This post should be titled
Low Ceilings-High Hopes.
Isn’t that the way we all feel when we begin a journey with a home?
We have high hopes for its presence and shelter in our lives.


Looking back I have always preferred the fixer-upper, the misunderstood, the ‘seen better days’ kind of house.

Those homes usually have low ceilings.
If low ceilings in your home are making you feel like there is something wrong with that home, I think these 

solutions that I have used for years might help.
August 2016 Study
1.  Ignore them .
It really is that simple.
Unless you are literally going to ‘raise the roof’, what are the options?
The beauty of a home is about so much more than its ceilings.
It is about the honor in living in a home you can afford to buy- low ceilings or not.
It is about the old adage of ‘dance with who brought you’.
I have learned over the years that when house problems surface and budgets are small,
creativity and acceptance save the day.

2. Bring the eye up.
You are not trying to fool anyone by doing this.
In fact, you will be embracing the fact that your ceilings don’t soar.
image
I love that the Mexican cabinet (in the photo above)almost touches the ceiling.
It is as if to say, my house can handle this huge piece of furniture and look good to the eye of the beholder
all at the same time.



3.  Use crown moulding.
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When we remodeled our home many years ago, crown moulding was an expense

I couldn’t justify.
My mother warned me at the time that it is when you are doing big work on a house
that it is best to include smaller projects too- as in adding moulding .
It just wasn’t possible at the time, so we slowly added it several rooms at a time.


It almost seems counter intuitive, right?

Wouldn’t crown moulding make the ceiling look even lower?
I don’t believe that.
I believe it makes the ceiling look important.


4. Paint the doors and moulding white.
Spring in the Entry 2016
Painting the trim white creates a boundary that the room needs- otherwise

a low ceilinged room looks like an opened box.
White may not be your choice, but there is no color more forgiving and inspiring
in an older home than white crown moulding and white baseboards.


5.  Add large mirrors .
Spring in the Nap Room 2016
Light needs to move and reflect in a room with lower
ceilings , and there is nothing that does that better than mirrors.
These mirrors need to be large-
the grander the scale the better.

In order for mirrors to fulfill their purpose, I think they need to be hung at a logical
height.
What does that mean? You need to be able to look in that mirror.


Always remember-
your home is lovely, and it is yours, and it says who you are.
Embrace that .
********
Linking to:
Best of The Weekend

14 comments:

Stacey said...

Laura, there's so much wisdom in this post for decorating and for life! Sharing. :)

Jeanie said...

Great post, Laura. There is so much good stuff here. I'm getting ready to be painted soon -- thanks for the trim suggestion!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Such great tips!

My low ceilings have never bothered me- they are what they are! I do white doors and trim too, and would love to do crown molding one day!

Theresa said...

Great tips! I ADORE that cabinet, I NEED it:) Have a blessed day dear Laura, HUGS!

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Laura, after having very high ceilings and very low ceilings, I like low ceilings better. Those are great tips, by the way. It makes the house feel so much cozier. Love your mexican cabinet and your blue toile chair. Have a wonderful week.

Lisa said...

Wonderful advice Laura! Honestly your home is so lovely I can't recall ever noticing your ceilings.LOL Which means that all your tips work!
PS You look so absolutely beautiful in your new photo. Tres chic!

Simply LKJ said...

We do have high ceilings in our current home, but to me there is just something very warm and cozy to homes with low ceilings. I believe either can be a challenge when decorating truthfully. Always love reading your sweet words of wisdom!!

Elizabeth "Libby" Day said...

Laura, thank you for visiting my Hodgepodge post today. I love making new friends on the blog. I enjoyed reading this post and share your interest in decor. You might would enjoy a series I did last year when I featured several homes of friends. This is the link to final home, mine and there are links that will take you in reverse order.http://beautywithoutwithin.blogspot.com/2016/03/love-your-home-finale-my-house.html
Looking forward to following you as well.

My thrift store addiction said...

These are great tips Laura, I have low ceilings too. I love the added touch of crown molding, it's on my "list." Another thing that also helps draw the eye up, is hanging window treatments higher than than the actual window. Your home is so lovely!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Our old house had low ceilings and we did everything you mentioned over the 35 years that we lived there. A great post!

thepaintedapron.com said...

LOVE that white washed cabinet! It looks great paired with the zebra accessories!
Jenna

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

You have such a lovely home, Laura, but even lovelier thoughts on appreciating what we already have. I'm sighing over the mirror in your 5th tip!

Curtains in My Tree said...


I think crown molding would help in my house also
I am going to repaint my molding that is white now since it was painted 24 years ago

Pat said...

Laura,
Love how you've added tall furniture pieces within your low ceilings, dear friend!
I have used several of your suggestions here, except white paint on the trim
and crown molding. . .I'll give that some careful consideration.
Fondly,
Pat

 

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