What to Do if You Have Low Ceilings in Your Apartment: 8 Simple Ideas

In typical apartments, high ceilings are the exception. Physically changing this fact is obviously impossible, but you can make a few clever tricks to visually raise the ceiling.

1. Long drapes from the ceiling

Place the rod as high as possible near the ceiling or hide it completely behind a gypsum board structure. Choose drapes and sheer curtains of maximum length: they should reach the floor or slightly cover it.

Design: Daria El'nikova

2. Striped wallpaper

Vertical stripes can be narrow and bright or wide with muted tones. In both cases, striped wallpaper will help you raise the ceiling visually and accentuate the height of the walls.

Design: Nadezhda Zотовa

3. Mirrors placed high

No one doubts that mirrors have magical properties. To make the ceiling appear slightly higher than it actually is, you can't do without them. You can hang several decorative mirrors above the ceiling, place narrow mirror strips (naturally vertical) on an empty wall, or make a whole wall out of mirrors.

Design: Anna Demushkina

4. Playing with furniture scale

In an apartment with low ceilings, it's sometimes better to go from one extreme to another. Designers recommend not choosing medium-height furniture items. Here, contrast is key: for example, a low bed and a tall cabinet up to the ceiling – such a mix will help add height to the room.

Design: Pavel Alekseev

5. Cabinets up to the ceiling

Cabinets, upper modules of kitchen units, and shelves should be as close to the ceiling as possible. There should be no gaps or space for dust accumulation.

Design: Milla Titova

6. Glossy surfaces

Another salvation for those with low ceilings is glossy suspended ceilings and glossy paints. Such a surface reflects light beautifully – the room will appear larger and more voluminous. Additionally, it provides good light diffusion throughout the room.

Design: Dmitry Antyushin and Irina Sinelnikova

7. Choosing light-colored furniture

Choose light and neutral-toned furniture. It won't cut into the space – the ceiling will seem higher. To prevent a sofa or armchair from blending in with the same light walls, use bright accents. These can be decorative cushions and throws.

Design: Lyubov Klyueva

8. Proper lighting

A large chandelier has all the chances to become a unique accent in interior design. But at the same time, it can overload the space and reduce ceiling height. To avoid this, for room lighting, it's better to choose ceiling chandeliers, recessed lights, and floor lamps with shades directed upwards.

Design: Evgenia Matveenko, FlatsDesign architectural bureau

On the cover: design project by CO:Interior studio.