12 Main Types of Ceilings You Should Consider for Your Home

Ceilings are often overlooked when we look at the interior design of a space. However, ceilings determine how wide and airy or how cramped and small a space can look and feel. Ceilings come in all designs, heights, and shapes but the right choice of a ceiling can help you create the ideal look for your dream home.

Read on for a quick introduction to the different types of ceilings that may be ideal for your home. They play a key role in insulating your home, but that doesn’t mean they can’t look beautiful, too!

Standard Flat Ceiling 

The conventional flat ceiling is the most common type you see in many homes. This type of ceiling is often just a flat panel that is covered with plaster or drywall, similar to how any wall in the house is constructed.

Standard flat ceiling type javierwainstein
javierwainstein

Standard ceilings are often eight feet high but they could be higher for those who are going for airy, brighter spaces. These typical flat ceilings are easy to install and cost-effective because they don’t have the flourishes that make them an interesting focal point.

This type of ceiling can be decorated by using crown molding along the edges or painted a vibrant color. Most people just leave then white!

Vaulted Ceiling 

Vaulted ceilings are designed to ‘lift’ small rooms and give the illusion of more height and space. They usually follow the roofline and can have sloping angles that may or not be uniform. One characteristic of vaulted ceilings is exposed rafters which help add personality to any room.

Ceiling types vaulting Caitlin Flemming
@CaitlinFlemming

Cathedral Ceilings

Cathedral ceilings are directly attached to roof trusses and give rooms a very spacious and open feel. They are characterized by equally sloping sides that meet at a point in the middle. Cathedral ceilings help give any room the illusion of more space because of the added volume but can be tricky to clean and will require specific structural features to ensure integrity. 

Cathedral Ceilings and other types of ceilings @baahousebaastudioarchitecture
@baahousebaastudioarchitecture

Shed Ceilings 

Shed ceilings are a modification of vaulted ceilings. These ceilings rise upward from one side to create a slope that meets the wall. For shed ceilings that are high enough, windows are placed on top of the wall to let light in and create a very bright and airy space. Shed ceilings are a modern take on vaulted ceilings and are often easier to construct as well. 

Shed ceiling types enric_rovira_3d
enric_rovira_3d

Cove Ceilings

Cove ceilings are characterized by curved edges where the ceiling meets the walls creating a domelike design as a focal point. This creates a dome-like design reminiscent of the interiors of Middle Eastern classic architecture.

Cove ceiling types torirubinsoninteriors
@torirubinsoninteriors

While not a popular ceiling design, coved designs can help visually expand a room. They can also help visually soften a room. Cove ceilings can be an ideal option for renovations that require a change in the crown molding without the need to rip out and replace the existing hardware. Ideally, cove ceilings should be painted to match the existing trim color in the room. 

Exposed Beam Ceilings

Exposed Ceiling beams wood intimatelivinginteriors
@intimatelivinginteriors

Beam ceilings feature exposed joists or beams for character and visual interest. These beams can be made from any type of wood or timber, metal, or a combination of materials. Beam ceilings are commonly found with vaulted ceiling designs but they can also be incorporated into conventional flat ceilings for a more interesting take on an otherwise boring ceiling.

Barrel Vault Ceiling

A barrel vault ceiling features an upside-down curve resembling the half of a barrel to create a tunnel-like atmosphere. Barrel vault designs are ideal for high ceilings and when done correctly can lend an air of airy brightness to any room.

Ceiling types Barrel vault ceiling michaelsmithinc
michaelsmithinc

Barrel-vaulted ceilings are created by melding a series of arches together for a visually-arresting ceiling surface and work best when incorporated into an entryway, foyer, or long hallway

Two-Flight Ceiling 

Two flight ceilings are characterized by their height. These ceilings may be tall enough for two flights of windows and can be as high as 20 feet. Spaces with these ceilings get more light and ventilation and sport various designs from conventional flat surfaces, coffered or beamed to vaulted designs. 

Two-flight ceilings thelocalproject
thelocalproject

Tray Ceiling 

A tray ceiling is exactly what it sounds like, a tray suspended upside down to create a recessed look. This starts with a conventional flat ceiling added with a recessed inset that is at least 6 inches deep. This is another way to add dimension and the illusion of more space to a ceiling and can be embellished with the use of decorative molding and mood lighting. 

Tray ceiling bathroom westbayhomes
@westbayhomes

Coffered Ceiling 

The coffered ceiling is a more upscale version of the tray ceiling and is basically just a grid of small, recessed squares. Coffered ceilings are often ornate and work best for lofty and wide ceilings. They tend to be expensive due to the need for intricate molding designs. 

Coffered ceilings finehomebuilding
@finehomebuilding

Dome Ceiling 

Dome ceilings resemble inverted bowls that can help create the illusion of height and space. Like barrel vault ceilings they can be found in spaces that can use a focal interest such as entryways. They may be built with skylights to let more light in and can come in different materials, such as stained glass for a more interesting effect.

Dome ceilings doniphanpmoore
doniphanpmoore

Groin Vault Ceiling

Groin vault ceilings resemble the underground cavern of old churches and are often reminiscent of Gothic interior styles. This type of ceiling is a hybrid of the vaulted and barrel-vaulted ceiling and is characterized by the accurate use of angles and curves that join at the center to create a ceiling that is not only visually but also structurally sound. 

Groin Vault Ceiling mudroom kateabtdesign
@kateabtdesign

As you can see, the many types of ceiling designs range from classic to ultra-modern, with some having a blend of the two! All these varieties in ceiling types and designs mean that you can pick and choose what type best suits your style.

Ceilings have an understated yet profound impact on the atmosphere of your home, so choose well!

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4 comments

    1. Hi Suzanne! The bottom of the chandelier should hang approximately 36 inches ABOVE the tabletop. This leaves enough room for people to pass around plates and serving dishes comfortably without hitting the chandelier.

      For high ceilings, you may need to hang the chandelier a bit lower so it feels proportional to the table and doesn’t get lost. In smaller, lower-ceilinged rooms, hanging it slightly higher can help create the perception of a taller space.

      Hope this helps!

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