Making a space appear larger than in reality is a key consideration for many when it comes to interior design. Often we shy away from anything that brings the ceiling lower or creates a feeling of enclosure, and towards simple tweaks that make a space feel airy and spacious.
Below, Sarah McCann, print and product expert at Voyage Maison, shares her advice for creating the illusion of higher ceilings in any room of the home.
Lighting
Sarah advises: “Lighting should always be one of the very first considerations when designing any space. Having the ability to really transform a space and create illusion, getting the lighting right is key in lifting the eye.
“If you’re starting with a space with lower ceilings, perhaps in a cottage or in a bedroom within a period property, you’ll want to start by avoiding any light fixtures on the ceiling. Central pendant lighting in a shorter space can instantly catch the eye upon entering a space if hanging too low, and so you’ll want to think of alternative ways to create more intimate, cosy lighting. Swap to wall lighting, as well as oversized floor lamps and tall table lamps.
“As for the placement of table lamps, you should always play with proportions to ensure that they sit taller than other pieces of surrounding furniture, such as headboards. If the headboard sits higher, this can make the wall feel much shorter. When the table lamps are placed above this line, the pools of light hit higher on the wall, helping to create a sense of elongated space. I find this to be one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to instantly draw the eye up and make the space feel grand.
“Not only do multiple sources of light create the instant illusion of higher ceilings, but also add layers to a space, leaving a luxurious and ambient result.”
Wallpaper
Sarah explains: “Another great way to draw the ceilings taller is through patterns. Whilst many often play it safe and restrict themselves to light neutrals in smaller spaces, wallpaper can actually have a much better impact. Our eyes naturally gravitate upwards when they see vertical lines and so bringing this in through wallpaper is an ideal option.
“Vertically striped wallpaper doesn’t just mean a simple striped design. It can be any wallpaper that has a repeating design that flows up and down the paper, so don’t feel restricted with pattern and instead opt for a design that celebrates the wider scheme of the home.
“Additionally, consider painting any wall trim and skirting boards. Choose a paint that closely matches the most prominent colour in the wallpaper. Not only is this a great way to inject a contemporary touch, but also helps the room to appear more expansive as it begins to blur the boundaries of the walls.”
Symmetry
Sarah says: “Finally, another simple way to trick the eyes is through focusing on symmetry. Symmetrical design can make a space feel bigger – and taller – as it creates a sense of harmony and balance, and avoids vision being distracted by smaller objects in the room. That said, too much symmetry will result in a space that lacks character and charm so don’t overdo it.
“In a bedroom, for instance, I would advise having the bed in the centre of the wall, with small side tables on each side. Add tall, elegant table lamps with oversized lampshades on either side and finish with a large piece of art that hangs perfectly central above the headboard. This should ideally sit right in the middle of the space, with an even amount of wall visible both below and beneath the framed art.”
