I’ve lived in homes with standard height ceilings my entire life. In fact, this is the first house we’ve had the privilege of designing taller ceilings in certain spaces. Of course, as an interior designer- I’ve been tackling the illusion of making ceilings seem taller than they actually are for over a decade. Today, I’m sharing my tricks of the trade! Ceiling height plays a huge role in how airy and open a room feels, but here’s the good news… you don’t need to tear down walls to make a big impact. With a few clever styling tricks, you can visually stretch your walls and make any room feel taller and lighter. These are my go-to designer-approved strategies I use in my own home when I want a space to feel more open and elevated (without changing anything structurally). If you’ve been dreaming of elevated ceilings, I’m spilling 12 designer tips to make your ceiling look taller!
I pulled lots of visuals and examples for this post from our basement… for reference, the ceiling height down there is 7 ½ feet tall (standard height is 8 feet, FYI). If I can make those ceilings feel taller, anything is possible! These are all easy design tricks that actually work.
1. Embrace Vertical Lines
Lean into anything that draws the eye upward… vertical painted stripes, striped wallpaper, tongue and groove, or shiplap wall treatments will all make your ceilings appear taller than they actually are, when installed in a vertical direction. Hanging tall vertical artwork, mirrors, or tapestries also create an elongating effect- with minimal effort!
2. Install Crown Moulding
A big misconception I hear is crown moulding doesn’t work well with standard height ceilings. Wrong! You just have to keep some basic millwork proportions in mind to make the ceiling height work to your advantage. For standard 8-foot ceilings, I opt for crown moulding around 4 ½ – 6 inches tall. I’d also recommend painting your baseboards and crown moulding the same color as your wall (like my basement bedroom, pictured above), for an elongated look. Check out this post for my guidance on how to select millwork profiles and trim.
3. Hang Your Drapery High
If you’re trying to make your ceiling look taller, you’ll want to frame your windows with drapery panels. Simple roman or woven shades are great, but they’re not doing you any favors when it comes to elongating your wall. Layer them alongside curtains. When installed correctly, curtains make your ceilings look taller. Hang your drapery panels high and wide- a couple inches under the crown moulding or ceiling. Having two vertical elements framing your window really tricks your eye into thinking the ceiling is taller than it really is. If you need visuals or help choosing window treatments… start here:
- The Best Budget Curtains That Look Custom
- How to “Train” Readymade Curtains
- Affordable Window Treatments For a Custom Designer Look
4. Rethink Your Lighting
Contrary to what you might expect, flush mount fixtures are NOT the best option for low ceilings- if you’re trying to make them look taller. Lights that are fitted directly to your ceiling actually make it feel lower than it is by spotlighting and drawing attention to the ceiling itself.
Instead- opt for hanging lights… like appropriately scaled pendants or semi flush mount fixtures. These are a better option for the ceiling, as they cast light outward and leave a little negative space between the ceiling and the fixture, making it feel taller. Just make sure you’re aware of proportion, and you are floor planning- positioning furniture beneath the fixture to avoid head bumps walking beneath it.
You can also rely on sconces and lamps to illuminate your room for a layered look that keeps your ceiling looking its tallest.
5. Put Color on the Ceiling
Extending your wall color to the ceiling- or even choosing an independent paint color for the ceiling will make it feel taller. Many people were shocked when I painted our ceiling black, but it helped make it disappear, eluding to more space. Alternatively, I could have painted the walls that same color to further the effect for a monochromatic, endless, color drenched aesthetic.
6. Take Your Materials to the Ceiling
No matter your wall treatment, take it all the way to the ceiling for a connected look.
Whether it’s tile, cabinetry, or tongue and grooving paneling, don’t stop short of the ceiling. Extend it all the way to the ceiling or crown moulding to make your ceilings look their tallest. If you stop short, you’re creating horizontal lines that compartmentalize your wall, making it look segmented, shorter, and squatted.
7. Extend Trim and Moulding Upward
Use large wall panels to frame your wall, extending your eye upward. Vertical, rectangular panels work best for this. You can either install panel moulding- or use oversized artwork or upholstered panels to achieve this same look, like I did in our basement media room. If you want to do the same, bookmark how to upholster velvet acoustic panels. Skip the chair rail or any horizontal lines, so you’re not breaking up your wall. The goal is to create vertical lines.
8. Use Color Blocking
If you’d prefer not to touch a miter saw and lean into millwork, turn to paint instead. It’s a great, budget-friendly way to create lines and color fields, elongating your wall height. Check out my color blocking concept for the guest room… where I also made our ceilings look taller than they actually are. It’s an easy trick to double up the look of trim for better proportions- without renovating.
9. Install Floor to Ceiling Built-Ins
Custom built-ins are definitely an investment (even if you take the DIY route), but they always pay off visually. Floor-to-ceiling shelving, cabinetry, or bookcases add vertical height while maximizing storage. Make sure you connect them to the ceiling, wrapping them in trim for a tailored look. Paint them the same monochromatic color as your trim and wall for a seamless aesthetic that will make your ceiling height soar.
10. Choose Lower Profile Furniture
In rooms with a below average ceiling height, you might want to consider curating lower profile furniture. The same goes for styling. For example, style your TV lower (above a shorter sideboard rather than above a taller fireplace) to keep your focal point balanced with the low ceiling height.
11. Go Monochromatic
Using one continuous shade of paint- or color drenching, as it’s now called… is a great way to prevent the eye from wandering around segmented walls, separated by color. By minimizing distractions (like contrasting millwork or architectural features), the space immediately feels taller and more cohesive. I’d even recommend painting the door the same shade!
12. Strategically Install Artwork
Granted, the ceiling in our entryway reveal didn’t need to look taller, but I did want to draw your eye up the staircase in a similar manner. This meant strategically hanging our artwork. Create vertical groupings or gallery walls that intentionally lead your eye upward in a vertical column. Check out this post on how to easily layout and install a gallery wall! You can also lean a tall floor mirror against the wall for a similar effect. It’s all about creating those vertical lines.
FAQ
Absolutely! A monochromatic palette blurs boundaries and makes ceilings feel like a natural extension of the walls.
Meh… this answer is going to ruffle some feathers, but I think it’s a tough look to nail. It can reflect the light and add drama, but I don’t think it will visually increase your ceiling height. Matte is a much better option if that’s your goal! Be sure to save my designer guide for choosing the best paint sheen or finish.
As close to the ceiling or crown moulding as possible… never just above the window frame.
Related Posts
Looking for more interior design tips? I’m going to link some reader favorites for you below… I hope these are helpful!
- 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Instantly Refresh Your Kitchen
- Common Home Decor Mistakes That Make Your Home Look Dated- And How to Fix Them
- 5 Ways to Score Quality, High-End Furniture On a Budget
- How to Properly Light a Bathroom for Function and Design
- 20 Things Every Bedroom Should Have (According to A Designer)
- Designer Tips for Making Outlets & Light Switch Plates Look Better
- How to Design a Cohesive Home That Flows Room to Room
- Designer Light Fixtures That Will Never Go Out of Style
- How Paint Color Percentages Work and When To Use Them
- How Designers Choose & Use Wall-to-Wall Carpet: 10 Tips
I’ve used every one of these tricks in my own home over the years- especially in spaces where the architecture wasn’t doing me any favors. With thoughtful styling, you should never need to demo your ceiling for added visual height- you just have to guide the eye. Whether you’re leaning into vertical lines, rethinking your lighting, or simply raising your curtain rods, these subtle changes create a big visual payoff. Here’s to rooms that feel bright, airy, and quite literally elevated. I’m happy to answer questions in the comment section below!
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