10 Clever Tricks on How to Make Ceilings Look Higher

I remember walking into my first apartment and feeling like a giant in a dollhouse. The ceilings were so low that I could touch them flat footed. It made the whole room feel small and dark regardless of how much natural light poured through the windows. Maybe you are dealing with the same issue right now. You look up and feel like the room is pressing down on you. It is a frustrating feeling for anyone who loves open and airy spaces.

You do not need to call a contractor or tear off your roof to fix this problem though. I have found that visual illusions are just as powerful as structural changes. Interior design is often about tricking the eye rather than changing the architecture. By using paint and decor strategically you can stretch your walls visually. I am going to share my favorite methods to lift that ceiling without spending a fortune.

1. Paint the Ceiling the Same Color as the Walls

I used to think that ceilings always had to be white. That is just what everyone does. However, painting your ceiling the same color as your walls is actually one of the best ways to blur the boundaries of the room.

• Remove the visual “stop”: When there is a sharp contrast line between the wall and the ceiling, your eye stops right there.
• Create an infinite effect: By drenching the room in a single color, the eye travels up the wall and continues across the ceiling without interruption.
• Pro tip: I recommend using a matte finish. A glossy finish might reflect too much light and draw unwanted attention to imperfections.

2. Hang your Curtains as High as Possible

Most people hang their curtain rods directly above the window frame. This creates a large gap of dead space that visually cuts the wall in half.

• Go high: Install your curtain rod just below the crown molding or the ceiling line.
• Elongate the fabric: Let the fabric hang all the way to the floor to create a long vertical line.
• The result: This draws the eye upward, making your windows look grander and your walls look taller. Just avoid letting the curtains “pool” too much, as that creates clutter.

3. Choose Low-profile Furniture

Furniture scale plays a huge role in how we perceive the size of a room. If you fill a room with tall, bulky furniture, the gap between the furniture and the ceiling shrinks.

• Maximize “white space”: Selecting sofas and chairs with lower backs exposes more wall space above them.
• Trick the brain: This increased distance between the furniture and the ceiling makes the room feel much more expansive.
• The look: Modern, low-profile furniture looks incredibly sleek and stylish.

4. Use Vertical Lines on Your Walls

Vertical lines are like high heels for your room. Just as vertical stripes on clothing elongate the body, vertical stripes on a wall elongate the room.

• Direct the gaze: Encourage the eye to travel up and down rather than side to side.
• Options for every budget: Consider vertical shiplap, vertical patterned wallpaper, or even subtle pinstripes.
• Avoid horizontal lines: Avoid horizontal shiplap at all costs, as it will make the room feel wider but definitely shorter.

5. Rethink Your Lighting Fixtures

Heavy pendant lights or ornate chandeliers occupy the headspace and make the ceiling feel oppressive. You need to keep the overhead space clear.

• Stay flush: I recommend using recessed lighting or flush mount fixtures to keep the ceiling plane smooth.
• Utilize uplighting: Floor lamps that direct light upward bounce illumination off the ceiling, making it recede visually.
• Light and airy: If you love pendants, choose designs with clear glass or thin frames.

6. Use Tall Mirrors to Reflect Space

Mirrors are a magical tool. While they make rooms look larger by reflecting light, they can also help with verticality.

• Stretched lines: A tall, vertical mirror acts like an additional window and creates a long line that stretches the wall.
• Add depth: Leaning a large mirror against the wall confuses the eye and adds depth that pushes the architecture outward.
• Placement: Place them behind furniture or in dark corners to brighten the space.

7. Avoid Heavy Crown Molding

A thick, dark crown molding acts like a heavy lid on a box. It creates a horizontal band that visually lowers the ceiling height significantly.

• Blend it in: Paint the crown molding the same color as the walls to minimize the horizontal break.
• Go minimal: If you have standard eight-foot ceilings, consider removing the molding entirely for a clean, modern look.
• Thin profiles: If you must have trim, choose the thinnest profile possible.

8. Extend Cabinetry to the Ceiling

Kitchens often have an awkward gap above the upper cabinets. This dark, dusty space serves no purpose and creates a shadow line that lowers the visual height.

• Continuous surfaces: Take your cabinetry all the way to the top to guide the eye to the highest point.
• Extra storage: Even if you can’t reach the top shelf, it’s great for seasonal items.
• Budget fix: If you can’t replace cabinets, fill the gap with trim or a bulkhead painted to match.

9. Display Artwork Vertically

A wide gallery wall draws the eye horizontally. To combat low ceilings, you need to change your hanging strategy to lead the viewer to look up.

• Stack your art: Try hanging two or three pieces of art in a vertical column.
• Go portrait: Use large, portrait-oriented art instead of landscape pieces.
• Lift the gaze: I often hang art slightly higher than “standard” height to encourage people to look upward.

10. Keep the Space Decluttered

Clutter makes any room feel enclosed. When a room is filled with “stuff,” the floor feels busy and the walls feel closed in.

• Minimalist approach: Keep the floor as clear as possible to allow the room to “breathe.”
• Smart storage: Hide daily mess to keep surfaces clean.
• Psychological height: When a room feels lighter and airier, it translates into a feeling of more physical height.

FAQ

Elevate Your Home without Renovation

You now have a toolkit full of strategies on how to make ceilings look higher. I hope you see that you do not need to live with that cramped feeling any longer. By manipulating paint lighting and furniture placement you can transform your home into a space that feels grand and open.

It is amazing what a few optical illusions can do for your comfort. Start with one or two of these tips and see how much the vibe changes in your home.