Four Ceiling Styles For Your New Home

When making decisions about a new home, most people focus on countertops, paint colors, flooring, etc. The ceiling often gets overlooked as a central part of the home’s design. There are many different options to consider that will add detail to the ceiling and make it a focal point of any room.

Cathedral and Vaulted Ceilings

Often these terms are used interchangeably, but they are in fact, different. A cathedral ceiling is noted for its symmetry of equal, steep sloping sides that meet in the middle of the room. It typically mirrors the pitch of the roof. However, a vaulted ceiling doesn’t usually mirror the roof’s pitch and is characterized by a single sloping side or unequal sloping sides.

Both of these styles can make a smaller room feel more open and a larger room feel more grand.

Coffered Ceiling

A coffered ceiling is a series of sunken panels typically in the shape of a rectangle or square with beams separating each panel. Wood beams add a touch of sophisticated elegance. For a less expensive option, you can create faux beams by wrapping wood with sheetrock and finish with decorative molding. The lighting fixture can be hung from the center panel, and recessed lighting is typically incorporated in the other sunken panels.

Tray Ceiling

A tray ceiling is typically incorporated in master bedrooms, dining rooms, or above the eat-in kitchen area. It consists of an area that stands a little higher (a few inches to a foot) than the rest of the ceiling. It is open but bordered by soffits on the sides, which creates the upside down tray you see when looking up. A tray ceiling doesn’t require as much wood as a coffered ceiling. The inside tray is typically in the shape of an oval, square, or rectangle.

Many homeowners add hidden lighting under the edge of the recessed area to add ambience to the room. The recessed area is also a great place to showcase an accent paint color.

Shiplap Ceiling

It’s no secret that shiplap has taken us all by storm since Joanna Gaines brought it back to life on the hit HGTV show, Fixer Upper. Many designs incorporate shiplap on the walls. Adding shiplap on the ceiling is an unexpected element that adds so much character to a room. We especially love a design that uses shiplap on the kitchen ceiling.