Ashley Mecham, designer at Decorist, has some advice when it comes to making your ceiling a focal point and a true statement in your home. “Ceilings are a great place to add something unexpected while maintaining a balance with the room’s current colors” she notes. With the help of a few design experts, we found several ways a statement ceiling can transform a space, and asked the pros for their tips to get the look at home. Mecham agrees that there are some limitations, noting that an open concept space might require a bit of consideration before adding a statement ceiling. “Statement ceilings can work in a variety of rooms, from bathrooms to offices to entryways,” she notes. “However, you should determine if your space is an open concept or not before adding one. Rooms that have a defined ceiling are easier to incorporate a statement ceiling–however, it can be a great option to add some dimension and give a nice flow between rooms in an open space.” “Balance is a key element in a design," she notes. “While the height of the room plays a significant role, you must also consider the impact a ceiling’s design will make in a space. This is very much a statement design feature, so you don’t want it competing with other stand-out elements.” With this in mind, she says that a room with a low ceiling doesn’t need to be avoided, just considered. “If the intention is to draw attention to the ceiling, then, by all means, run with it,” Jimenez says. Mecham agrees. “A statement ceiling can definitely be done in a room with a lower ceiling,” she says. “If you are adding in pattern or wallpaper, it can be a great way to draw the eye up even with a lower ceiling height.” Dupré explains that using the same wood on the ceiling as he did on the island made for thoughtful cohesion in the space. “It was nice to use the same wood species and finish as the island, which created a mirror effect and framed it nicely,” Dupré explains. “Lastly, I decided to spice it up with the perfect diagonal pattern to further accentuate the symmetry and mirroring.” “Hanging removable wallpaper on the ceiling isn’t much different from applying to walls, but it might be a bit more time-consuming,” Matthews says. “The end result is worth it, though.” Matthews’ tips for a perfectly wallpapered statement ceiling? “Grab a friend, make sure you are working with pre-cut wallpaper panels and a smooth ceiling, and use painter’s tape to tack up one end of the panel while you are working on the other side,” she notes. “When choosing a wallpaper for the ceiling, think about the mood or energy that you want to create for the room,” Matthews says. “Dark colors make a space feel cozy, which would be ideal for a bedroom or a reading nook. Light and airy wallpaper patterns make a space feel larger, perfect for the living room, kitchen, or another room for gathering.” Mecham follows similar guidelines. “It comes down to how you want the space to feel,” she says. “There are so many ways to create a unique space that brings out your personality.” “For a light and bright room, you can really explore many design options,” Jimenez says. “Anything from unique molding, scalloped ceilings, decorative statement chandeliers, and textured wallpaper or murals are a great way to add a unique statement.” On a recent project with exactly that problem, Jiminez opted for a pastel-striped wallpaper. “We had tall ceilings and the room was intended to be a playroom, which gave a perfect opportunity for a playful wallpaper,” she explains. “The room has no windows, so we picked a vertical stripe pattern to trick the eye and create an illusion of a larger room.”
