Beyond just using paint, you can opt for stain to enhance the natural look of wood beams. Another idea is to follow Westbrooks’ lead and consider using wallpaper. According to her, “One of my favorite techniques is using wallpaper on the flat ceiling portion of the coffer to add texture and warmth.”<\/p>\n
Gullett has also experimented with wallpaper to elevate her ceiling designs. She explains, “I used a luxurious leather wallpaper for the recessed panels in a library, and it was fantastic! I’ve also used grass cloth wallpaper on the recessed panels in a billiard room, with the seams in an X pattern to cleverly conceal them. Adding a high-gloss paint can provide even more drama.”<\/p>\n
Is it possible to DIY a coffered ceiling?<\/h2>\n
Crafting your own coffered ceiling is feasible, but it’s not recommended for beginners. Sanders suggests starting with careful planning, considering the room’s dimensions, ceiling height, and desired design. Opt for lightweight materials like MDF for easier installation and make sure to measure precisely as even slight discrepancies can be noticeable in a coffered grid. Choosing a suitable material that is light enough and won’t overpower the ceiling is crucial. For instance, solid wood beams may be too heavy for certain ceilings and would require additional structural support. If you’re unsure about how the installation may impact the ceiling’s structure, it’s best to seek advice from a professional.<\/p>\n
Gullett also advises completing as much work as possible before installation. “Paint or stain the beams and panels prior to installation for a cleaner finish,” she suggests. “It will also save your arms from getting tired working above your head.”<\/p>\n
Additional tips for coffered ceilings<\/h2>\n
Consider how your flooring will complement the ceiling design. For example, if your flooring is intricate, opt for a simpler ceiling design to avoid visual clashes.<\/p>\n Consider how your overhead lighting might work with a coffered ceiling. It\u2019s common to arrange recessed lighting within coffers or to craft the ceiling to highlight a central detail, like a chandelier within a coffer\u2014or, as shown here, the light fixture can hang directly from a beam.<\/p>\n <\/span>Design: Cat Walker<\/a>. Photo: Amy Lamb\/Native House Photography<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Take into account your surrounding walls when installing a coffered ceiling. Ali Ames suggests considering various factors such as the desired level of intricacy in the design, whether you prefer stacked moldings or patterned panels, and if adding wood would bring warmth or if painting everything a dark color would create a different ambiance. Ames also mentions the option of matching the ceiling with the walls or keeping the walls plain to make the architectural detail stand out.<\/p>\n Refresh an old coffered ceiling with new ideas<\/p>\n If you have a coffered ceiling that you’re not fond of, Stephanie Mahaney recommends starting fresh by removing any added wood or molding to reveal the basic structure of the ceiling. Depending on your style, you can add wood to the sunken area or to the grid to give the appearance of natural beams.<\/p>\n Select lighting that complements the design<\/p>\n Sanders recommends integrating recessed lighting within each coffer to enhance the design. LED lights with discreet fixtures work well with coffered ceilings. For larger fixtures like chandeliers, make sure to center them within the grid.<\/p>\n Give the illusion of a coffered ceiling for lower ceilings<\/p>\n For rooms with average ceiling height where you can’t lower the ceiling for coffering, Tracy Metro suggests adding molding (fretwork) to the ceiling to mimic the look of a coffered ceiling. For this approach, opt for minimal molding detail and paint it a light color. If you have a tall ceiling, you have more flexibility to experiment with dark tones, exposed wood, or intricate coffering without feeling overwhelmed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"brown](\"https:\/\/media.architecturaldigest.com\/photos\/671662539f6528dce2df3f4c\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/Cat%2520Walker%2520Design%2520NativeHouse%2520102.jpg\")
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