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Your Ceiling Choice Will Make
or Break Your Kitchen Design
Designing a kitchen remodel or addition is a matter of seemingly endless choices
and decisions. It is common to become so focused on the function of the
appliances and the placement of sinks and stoves and refrigerators that you
don’t stop to look up. In fact, the type of ceiling you choose for your new
kitchen can make your kitchen feel larger or smaller, can make it feel
claustrophobic or open, or can make it feel light and bright or dark and
dreary. Here are some ceiling designs to consider as you plan and design your
new remodeled kitchen.
Traditional Flat Ceiling
– This is the most common type of ceiling in any room. It is the least expensive
to build, and is essentially a wall laid on its side. The traditional height
for a flat ceiling is 8 feet, although many builders are using 10 foot ceilings
to make the room feel larger. Options for making the flat ceiling appear higher
include using a vertical stripe paint or wallpaper, using a border at the top of
the wall, or adding crown molding or other decorative moldings at the top of the
wall.
Cathedral Ceiling
– This high, sloped ceiling is becoming increasingly popular in kitchens. The
ceiling is attached to the roof trusses and creates a very dramatic feeling of
space. Whether this style ceiling is built with open beams or a solid drywall
panel, the rise to the very top of the house offers both space and a few
challenges. The challenges are in getting proper insulation over the ceiling
(although there are some new insulated boards for this purpose), the difficulty
getting to the ceiling for painting, cleaning and installing light fixtures, and
the additional heating cost due to heat loss to the top of the ceiling.
Vaulted Ceiling –
A ceiling that rises from the walls at an angle or in an arch is a vaulted
ceiling. These vaulted ceilings can rise from one side of the room to a center
point at the top of the house or they can rise from two or all four walls of the
room to a center point at the top of the house.
Tray
Ceiling – Tray
ceilings get their name from the finished appearance of a tray being turned
upside down. They are made up of one or more stepped sections of ceiling going
up to a flat ceiling panel in the middle. The “steps” are sometimes accented
with decorative moldings or contrasting paint colors can be used. Tray ceilings
give the appearance of greater height and space in the room while actually
rising relatively little. Tray ceilings can be built under many attic designs.
Cove
Ceiling – There
are many styles of decorative ceilings. Cove ceilings can be a nice addition to
any kitchen design. They have a rounded surface sloping into the angle at the
point where the walls and the ceiling meet. Cove ceilings have a more fluid
feeling than the sharp angles of traditional ceiling styles.
Coffered Ceiling –
Another decorative ceiling style is the coffered ceiling. This very decorative
style would probably overpower a smaller kitchen. In a large kitchen or a
kitchen that is open to a family room, dining room or breakfast room, it can be
a striking addition. Coffered ceilings are essentially groups of tray ceilings
which share common low points in the center of the room. They are often painted
in contrasting colors or outlined with decorative moldings.
Whatever
your personal taste or the size and style of your new kitchen, you can choose a
ceiling style that adds a feeling of spaciousness, openness and light or a
feeling of cozy warmth. Before you finish your kitchen design, give some
creative thought to how your ceiling can accent your finished room.
If you are looking for a Spokane kitchen remodeling contractor, please call us today at 509-270-9246 or complete our online consultation form.
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