Decorating: How Can I Add Detail to My Ceiling?
Ceiling details, such as cornicing, moulding and soffits, can add bags of character, whether your home is a period property or a new build
Abigail Owens
21 December 2014
Houzz contributor and Design Director at Carolyn Parker Interior Design Ltd, which is based near York and specialises in luxury designs. Abigail, has been named one of the Daily Telegraph's Top 20 UK interior designers.
Houzz contributor and Design Director at Carolyn Parker Interior Design Ltd, which... More
If you have a period property, you may be fortunate enough to have inherited some really stunning historical ceiling details, which give a room buckets of character. Alternatively, if you have a new build, then adding ceiling detail is a great way to inject some personality. Ceiling mouldings can also be a useful tool to conceal lighting, or to create soffits in which to set your window treatments. Browse these beautiful examples to see the possibilities.
Be inspired by chic Georgian ceilings
When it comes to period detail on ceilings, I don’t think anyone did it better than the Georgians. This simple cornice detailing, with beautifully plastered and painted ceilings, and not a light fitting in sight, is incredibly pleasing to the eye. Just let the architecture speak for itself while you gaze out of the beautiful sash windows.
Discover the key features of Georgian architecture
When it comes to period detail on ceilings, I don’t think anyone did it better than the Georgians. This simple cornice detailing, with beautifully plastered and painted ceilings, and not a light fitting in sight, is incredibly pleasing to the eye. Just let the architecture speak for itself while you gaze out of the beautiful sash windows.
Discover the key features of Georgian architecture
Keep it simple
Adding a ceiling detail can be expensive, but you can see how even the simplest of designs, like these beams, can be really effective. This looks great in a period property, but could also add a lot of character in a contemporary setting.
Adding a ceiling detail can be expensive, but you can see how even the simplest of designs, like these beams, can be really effective. This looks great in a period property, but could also add a lot of character in a contemporary setting.
Set your window treatment in a soffit
In this elegant bedroom, a soffit conceals the workings of the curtains and Roman blinds. If you have electric window treatments, this is the perfect way to conceal the motor, which can be quite an eyesore. If you don’t like overly ornate window treatments, then this is a great technique that can work in some of the most awkward of spaces.
Soffits are also useful for lighting. This one forms the perfect platform for spots to cast light down onto the curtains. It also creates a vaulted ceiling, allowing lighting to sit in the voids at the edges of the room and cast a warm glow upwards.
In this elegant bedroom, a soffit conceals the workings of the curtains and Roman blinds. If you have electric window treatments, this is the perfect way to conceal the motor, which can be quite an eyesore. If you don’t like overly ornate window treatments, then this is a great technique that can work in some of the most awkward of spaces.
Soffits are also useful for lighting. This one forms the perfect platform for spots to cast light down onto the curtains. It also creates a vaulted ceiling, allowing lighting to sit in the voids at the edges of the room and cast a warm glow upwards.
Expose the structure
When you have an older property with beautiful oak trusses, you really want to see them – this image is a perfect example of why. You can also create this effect in a new property.
As wood is a natural product, it will often move as it adjusts to the atmosphere: I just love seeing the cracks appearing, and the dark patches from where it has been exposed to iron. But always make sure the beams are treated properly, as you do not want to fall prey to woodworm.
When you have an older property with beautiful oak trusses, you really want to see them – this image is a perfect example of why. You can also create this effect in a new property.
As wood is a natural product, it will often move as it adjusts to the atmosphere: I just love seeing the cracks appearing, and the dark patches from where it has been exposed to iron. But always make sure the beams are treated properly, as you do not want to fall prey to woodworm.
Let old meet new
This lovely example of a more contemporary moulding shows how ceiling details can work really well even on a lower ceiling. This is a great look for cosy, sociable rooms, such as basement cinemas or home bars. If you wanted a more subtle light, you could use concealed lighting rather than down lights.
Explore stylish ways to mix old and new
This lovely example of a more contemporary moulding shows how ceiling details can work really well even on a lower ceiling. This is a great look for cosy, sociable rooms, such as basement cinemas or home bars. If you wanted a more subtle light, you could use concealed lighting rather than down lights.
Explore stylish ways to mix old and new
Aim for a perfect pitch
Pitched ceilings bring their own set of challenges, from lighting to managing the space. Here you can see how the steel joists have been boxed in and plastered, which gives strong angles to the ceiling rather than just having a flat surface at the eaves or semi-pitching the space. This way, you get the fantastic area on the mezzanine and utilise every bit of roof area.
Pitched ceilings bring their own set of challenges, from lighting to managing the space. Here you can see how the steel joists have been boxed in and plastered, which gives strong angles to the ceiling rather than just having a flat surface at the eaves or semi-pitching the space. This way, you get the fantastic area on the mezzanine and utilise every bit of roof area.
Give a ceiling some curves
Wow, what a beautiful example of contemporary and historic architecture coming together. There are few things more beautiful than a vaulted ceiling, especially where it meets the exposed stone and you get that stunning contrast of textures. The sweeping curves are a joy to look at. This very sympathetic design shows how you can work to enhance existing features.
Wow, what a beautiful example of contemporary and historic architecture coming together. There are few things more beautiful than a vaulted ceiling, especially where it meets the exposed stone and you get that stunning contrast of textures. The sweeping curves are a joy to look at. This very sympathetic design shows how you can work to enhance existing features.
Exaggerate elliptical spaces
This is a shining example of how reproduction mouldings in a new property can be designed in a period style. Despite the oddities of the elliptical space, the visual sense of the area has been neatly controlled with the cornice details that echo up through each level. I love seeing all these lines – it really adds depth by creating a layered look.
This is a shining example of how reproduction mouldings in a new property can be designed in a period style. Despite the oddities of the elliptical space, the visual sense of the area has been neatly controlled with the cornice details that echo up through each level. I love seeing all these lines – it really adds depth by creating a layered look.
Add shadow gaps
Shadow gaps are a great alternative to a cornice if you want a cleaner detail where the wall meets the ceiling. Although this is expensive, it really does go that bit further towards giving a tailored feel to your space.
When I look at this design, it’s like looking at a beautifully fitted bespoke suit. Every line is in the right place and the quality of the finishes is perfection. With a shadow gap, there is no room for poor craftsmanship – it’s very unforgiving, but visually rewarding when it’s done right.
TELL US…
From cornicing to exposed beams, what’s your favourite kind of ceiling detail? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Shadow gaps are a great alternative to a cornice if you want a cleaner detail where the wall meets the ceiling. Although this is expensive, it really does go that bit further towards giving a tailored feel to your space.
When I look at this design, it’s like looking at a beautifully fitted bespoke suit. Every line is in the right place and the quality of the finishes is perfection. With a shadow gap, there is no room for poor craftsmanship – it’s very unforgiving, but visually rewarding when it’s done right.
TELL US…
From cornicing to exposed beams, what’s your favourite kind of ceiling detail? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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Another way to add some detail to your ceiling is to actually install wallpaper onto it. We know that this is traditionally used for walls, but using the right wallpaper on the right ceiling section can add the most wonderful character to a room, as well as colour, shape and movement. It may sound crazy to imagine, but have a look below at our Room 13 wallpaper, installed on a section of the ceiling of the Cinnamon Bazaar in London. It really does add character to the already exotic feel of the space.