This renovation of a typical Australian 70’s flat with low ceilings, has successfully tackled a potentially crippling lack of room height. While most of us would love soaring high ceilings, we don’t all get that lucky, so we were pleased to see that it is possible to create a sense of space despite ceiling height. The main objective in dealing with low ceilings is to counteract the claustrophobic feeling they can produce by creating a sense of space and openness. More below.
In this apartment the designers have, in their own words, produced ‘foreground and background vistas creating an internal landscape’, nice words for creating a sense of space and distance by knocking down some walls to open up the rooms to each other. They have also stuck to a neutral white colour for the walls and ceiling – this visually blends them into one space which creates a sense of openness. Have a look here to see the opposite of this idea: bold colour used to make a high ceiling room cosier.
The furniture is also low, keeping the focus down. The large bold coloured floor rug in the living area focuses the eye down rather than up. The lighting also cleverly illuminates the ceiling, which makes it seem higher.
[ Image from Coop]
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What a fantastic space - it's gorgeous! I would have never guessed the ceilings were low. Most people would be fine in a space like that even with low ceilings (I say most because my husband is 6'8" and might disagree).
Tabitha @ http://www.fromsingletomarried.com
This is absolutely beautiful,fresh,neat,spacious,and very welcoming place- all at the same time!!
The kitchen island/dining table is gorgeous ,I've never seen such a thing before.
Question: we live in a 70's ranch with the low-ish ceilings that have the popcorn treatment. Removing the popcorn is a major hassle and expense (not to mention a hazard due to asbestos), so we are considering covering them with beadboard. Is that a mistake with lower ceilings? I am concerned it may close the room in (we are planning on keeping the beadboard white and having it in every room for continuity).
Thanks.
duzer,
I'm thinking no, bead board low ceilings throughout the entire house will make it feel like living in a box .
If I were you duzer I would go through the hassle and remove the crappy popcorn( first test to make sure it doesn't contain asbestos),it's worth every penny.
I love this apartment!
Duzer, I also have those crappy popcorn ceilings in my rental apartment, but you'd be surprised what a difference a fresh coat of clean white ceiling paint will make - I thought my ceilings were white but they were really a dingy beige from the age, etc.
Just be sure to use a nappy roller and be prepared to roll on 2-3 coats to get decent coverage - simply tell the guy at the paint store what you want to do and he'll help you choose the right paint and roller.