How to Style a Room with Low Ceilings? 6 Tips from Our Team

Written by: Zoona Sikander, Interior Design Writer & Social Media Content Creator
Edited by: Emma Cyrus, Senior Copy, Content & Editorial Writer
Reviewed by: Rey Amini, Senior Interior Designer & Architect
Fact-checked by: Benjamin Ibanez, Development & FF&E Manager

Benjamin Ibanez is a senior interior designer at FCI. He works on our international development projects and runs the B2B side of our design business. He is a self-confessed workaholic and is known for his easy charm and dedication to his job and his team.

As an interior designer at FCI London, I've come across many clients who are worried about finding furniture or decor for their homes with low ceilings.

It's true that low ceilings can be challenging to work with, especially if a client wants a grand and opulent look. However, it's not impossible to create an elegant setting once you know the right tricks to use. Here are some tips from me and my team that will hopefully help you tackle your room with a low ceiling.

1. Paint the walls a light colour to make the room feel larger

This is an age-old trick in the book of interior design - go with light colours on your walls to make the space feel open.

When choosing your light colour, pick either the same or a similar shade for the ceiling as this will blur the defining line between the two, making the room feel airy and larger than it may be.

This doesn’t mean you need to restrict yourself to only white or off-white walls. There are plenty of other colours you can experiment with including beige, light grey, pale green and pale blue. 

In this open-plan living-dining room that we furnished below, we opted for a neutral colour palette with light walls, ceilings and curtains to make the ceiling appear higher and allow the surfaces to reflect the natural light. 

2. Install mirrors on one or more walls to create the illusion of space

Mirrors - full-length mirrors in particular - will make a room feel more open as the reflection appears to increase the surface area.

I always recommend placing the mirror opposite a natural light source if possible. A window reflecting light onto the mirror will add visual height to the room. 

3. Use low-profile furniture with clean lines

A common mistake I see people make with low-ceiling rooms is using tall furniture such as floor-to-ceiling cabinets, bulky TV stands and long bookshelves. Not only will these make a room feel congested, they also draw the eye to the low ceiling. 

The best strategy is to go for simple low-profile furniture with clean lines that don't take up vertical space along the wall. 

Here’s an example from a recent project we completed in Knightsbridge. Since this bar room had a low ceiling, we chose cabinets of varying heights within the low profile.

The light colours, low cabinets and minimalist accessories all work together to give this bar room an open and welcoming feel. The bar stools, console and island table also all feature long, sleek, metallic legs, which create a feeling of order and tidiness.

4. Hang curtains high on the wall to draw attention away from the low ceiling

Curtains are a great way to make a room look spacious if you choose the right length. To elongate your walls, choose full-length curtains and hang them right up at the top of the ceiling to create an illusion of height. 

I also recommend avoiding curtains in dark colours, heavy fabrics or horizontal patterns as they can create a feeling of claustrophobia in the room.

5. Use recessed lighting or floor lamps to minimise visual clutter

When the ceiling is already low, using chandeliers, space-usurping table lamps and long pendant lights will exaggerate the low ceiling and create clutter. Cubical sconces are a good option for contemporary interiors as they illuminate both upwards and downwards, making the walls look taller.   

If you'd prefer overhead lighting instead of wall lighting, opt for recessed lighting in the ceiling. Since these are installed directly in the ceiling, they illuminate the room without taking up any visual space. 

Below is a good example of this in a living room that we recently completed. We didn’t use any ceiling or wall lights, opting instead for recessed ceiling lighting and slimline floor lamps. 

The floor lamps also complement the minimalist feel of the room with simple lines. As they take up almost no floor space, they minimise visual clutter. 

6. Choose a bespoke rug to keep the visual interest off the ceiling

Bespoke rugs add character and personality to a room but in the case of low ceilings, they perform another important function. They draw the eye towards the floor and away from the ceiling. 

For our refresh of a private London home in Hertfordshire, we had to navigate a low vaulted ceiling which creates even more issues when designing around it. We solved the problem by creating custom-made, bespoke designed rugs paired with bold sofas to keep one's attention on the ground.

With a captivating rug and the right furniture choices, your low ceiling becomes almost unnoticeable. 

Remember that all low-ceiling rooms are not the same, so it's best to choose the design tips that are most appropriate for your particular room. You also have to consider the purpose of the room, its size, shape, the placement of the windows and most importantly, your personal style.

To help you make the best of your ceilinged room, get in touch with us for a free design consultation.