Cathedral Ceiling Designs for Different Rooms In The Home

A cathedral ceiling can draw the eye upward, creating a grand impression and adding drama and ambiance to a room. A cathedral ceiling design can help make a space feel larger by providing a feeling of openness. Rooms with vaulted ceilings often have large windows, giving them the benefit of additional natural light.

Cathedral Style Ceiling Designs

By architectural definition, a cathedral ceiling has symmetrical, steep, and equal sloping sides joining at a higher point in the middle of the room. Usually, it conforms to the pitch of the roof structure. The term cathedral ceiling originated from the design most popular with cathedrals. So the style was particularly used to describe a certain type of element of a ceiling design now widely used in both traditional and modern residential architecture.

Cathedral vs Vaulted Ceiling

A cathedral ceiling is also known as a vaulted ceiling, but while the cathedral ceiling has equal sloping sides that are parallel to the pitch of the roof; the vaulted ceiling does not have two equal sloping sides that are similar to the roof’s pitch. As defined in architecture, a vaulted ceiling slopes upward from both sides to form a peak and is constructed with a self-supporting arch in the form of an arched or barrel-shaped ceiling.

Unlike the airy cathedral ceiling, the vaulted ceiling does not have to be the same pitch as the roof and could have a single slope and uneven sides. Unlike the cathedral ceiling, a vaulted ceiling can have a curved or an arched shape. Both cathedral and vault ceiling extend higher than a flat ceiling and create an illusion of larger more elevated space overhead, adding air space and increases the natural light in the room especially when installed with skylights or roof windows.

Both ceiling designs can greatly improve a home’s character and overall beauty. A cathedral or vault ceiling can create a more interesting design by incorporating unusual detail, which helps add tonal warmth, elegance, and grandeur to any room.

Cathedral Ceiling Ideas

Designing cathedral ceilings showcases several features, such as installing support beams or striking hardware fixtures, which create a unique and distinct combination with the beams. One of the most popular cathedral ceiling designs is where the ceiling follows the roof line in a symmetrical design using a drywall finish, which lines the sloping ceiling planes and would form a ridge in the middle.

Tongue and groove planks – Using tongue and groove boards or plank and beam design in high ceiling creates a dramatic impact to the extra space and adds visual contrasts. This design element lends a touch of elegance to the overall decor of the room.

Wood trusses & beams – Another design concept is combining squared trusses, horizontal beams and wood paneling help create a contemporary cathedral ceiling look a bit retro and cozy.

Skylights—Installing skylights is another design feature a cathedral ceiling may have. These skylights allow natural light to brighten the room and the upper part of the ceiling, plus they offer extra ventilation for the room.

Living Room Ceiling

When decorating a living room which has cathedral ceiling always consider matching the size of the furniture with the room size. Locate proper lighting points in the ceiling which will highlight focal points in your living room, choose appropriate accessories and décor products that will emphasize the high ceiling and create an elegant design feature in the room. Always remember to keep the design style and color scheme of your living room cohesive to give your living room a fresher and more relaxing ambiance.

Kitchen Ceiling

A cathedral ceiling is an architectural feature which creates a huge stunning effect when incorporated in your kitchen design since it gives the room a more dramatic effect. Innovative rafters, such as heavy timber beam helps provides a unique detail and good vibe in the kitchen area. This luxury transitional kitchen with two islands has open wood beams and rich wood finishes.

A contemporary kitchen with wood ceiling design looks stylish with updated finishes and an layout is made even more grand by its high ceiling with arched support beams, which adds a unique personality to the space.

Creative ceiling designs, can take advantage of the room’s height and provide various options such as recessed lighting, chandeliers, track lighting and other fixtures. Country kitchen with rustic open beam ceiling and white cabinets with butcher block countertops. The choice of solid wood beams paired with wood countertops and white cabinet materials in this design adds warmth and charm.

Bedroom Ceiling

When it comes to architecture, bedrooms are designed to be a true sanctuary for rest and relaxation. A cathedral ceiling can add stunning elegance to your private abode. This design feature makes the room feel larger and creates a brighter ambience. Wood beams, groove panels, and planked ceilings are just a few accents and features that produce a variety of contrasts to the bedroom design scheme.

Shiplap ceiling designs painted white can help dramatically brighten the space. In a master bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, single faux wood beams on a higher ceiling provide a roomy feel.

Lighting

Having a sloped cathedral ceiling has its own challenges and requires special considerations, especially in finding a suitable lighting solution. A cathedral or Vault ceiling requires several layers of light to brighten the extra space overhead while ensuring the light shines in the right direction.

Here are some things you need to consider when planning and installing lighting fixtures in your design.

• Be mindful of the amount of light you require in a room.

• Consider the areas which needs to be illuminated – indicate which part or spot in the room that needs maximum lighting or any architectural features you want highlighted.

• Measure the highest and lowest point in terms of ceiling height as well as the height difference of the walls in the room.

• Consider the floor plan and the room’s design concept.

• Consider all existing beams and exposed trusses that line the sloping ceiling planes.

• Calculate the number of watts required for a cathedral or vault ceiling.

o Measure and multiply the width by the room’s length, and multiply the number by 25. This calculation will give you the approximate watts needed to illuminate the room.

o The total number of watts can be distributed among the number of lights to allocate enough lights and create layers in the room.

Types of Lighting Fixtures To Use

We also suggest ceiling light fixtures suitable for a cathedral or vaulted ceiling.

• Pendants and Chandeliers – These will bring the light to a more standard level for a tall or high ceiling type.

• Linear lights—These light fixtures are perfect for installing along the ceiling edge, highlighting the beams and adding drama to the room’s ambience.

• Recessed lights—Installing shallow-cut cans recessed lights angled on a vaulted ceiling at a 45-degree slope allows light to shine straight down and work wonders in the room.

• Track lights—These types of lighting fixtures work best for kitchens with a sloped vaulted ceiling and any area of your home. Track lights allow you to easily adjust the lamp heads in the direction where you need most of the light. This addition can enhance your overall decor and show off different angles and details.

• Cable Lighting – These are lighting fixtures similar to track lights but without taking a lot of visual space. Cable lighting are the best option to use when you have exposed huge log beams and you want to highlight this architectural structure of your ceiling.

For another related picture gallery, visit our tray ceiling ideas page, where you’ll find additional tips and inspiration to transform your space.