7 Tips and tricks to make your ceiling appear higher

1. Uncover the ceiling

Stripping away the ceiling to expose the architectural skeleton will give you more headroom. This is a particularly good solution if you happen to be a fan of the raw, industrial look. Think exposed beams and pipes.

2. Keep lighting flush

Another savvy trick to increase headroom. Install recessed or flush-mounted lighting, as it only takes up space within the ceiling. Skip anything that hangs from a ceiling, such as ceiling fans or overhead lights that draw attention to an already low ceiling. If you absolutely love chandeliers or pendant fixtures, hang it slightly higher than normal.

3. Try uplighting

This is one of the quickest and easiest solutions to give the illusion of a higher ceiling. Lighting the corners of a room not only creates a cozy atmosphere but the light extends up the walls and creates visual height. Consider using drum lampshades, as they emit a defined channel of light.

4. Paint the ceiling white

The fundamentals of colour theory apply here. Ever wondered why white is the default colour for ceilings? It’s simple. White lifts and lightens, and feels calming and spacious. If pure white is a little too rigid for you, we recommend that you choose a colour that is a few shades lighter than your walls.

5. Use Mirrors

Mirrors reflect light and increase the perceived square footage. The best options are tall mirrors or grouped displays. Hang your mirrors on the wall, or lean them up against the wall for full effect.

6. Try a vertical display

Group and arrange some of your favourite items on the wall and try to arrange them vertically, taking the grouping all the way to the ceiling if you can. This is an effective technique to create more visual headroom. You could use a floor-to-ceiling bookcase, as pictured here or small framed items on the wall, both will lead the eyes upward and make the room feel taller.

7. Paint vertical stripes on the walls

Just as in fashion, vertical stripes painted on a wall will make the room feel taller. The bigger the contrast between the stripes, the more dramatic this effect will be.