The Latest Trends For Cathedral Ceilings: Ideas And Inspiration

Cathedral ceilings create an instant feeling of grandeur and space in any home. Not only do they add a touch of elegance and luxury, but they also provide much-needed natural light and ventilation for your living area. 

With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that cathedral ceilings are becoming increasingly popular in both traditional and modern home designs. 

The Latest Trends For Cathedral Ceilings Ideas And Inspiration

What Are Cathedral Ceilings?

A cathedral ceiling is a type of sloping roof that is high at its peak and slopes down on either side to meet the walls. 

This type of ceiling is most often found in churches, hence the name. However, these days, cathedral ceilings are becoming more and more popular in residential homes as well.

Are Ceilings In Cathedrals Outdated?

Cathedral ceilings are a popular choice in many new homes today and look stunning when done right. They provide an open, airy feel to any room while still being sleek and modern. 

While there may be mixed opinions on cathedral ceilings, they’re far from outdated and can look as chic as ever if you choose the right material; trim, tongue, and groove accents or beams are great options for adding a touch of style to your ceiling design.

While some people might find vaulted or cathedral ceilings too avant-garde for their taste, we think they’re a top choice when it comes to improving space and aesthetics in any home. 

Not only do they offer more headroom, but also can bring visual interest with clever use of color or texture. 

What Is The Average Height For Cathedral Ceilings?

The typical height of a cathedral ceiling is substantially greater than that of a conventional ceiling. Most conventional ceilings measure either 8 or 9 feet in height, while cathedral-style ceilings reach upwards to 13 feet or even higher, depending on the preferences of the homeowner. 

Cathedral ceilings not only create dramatically soaring sight lines, but they also add an element of grandeur to any space they’re installed in.

Even smaller properties with moderately high ceilings are preferable for their illusion of openness and brightness – something which you simply cannot get from standard 8 or 9-foot conventional ones. 

What Are The Best Cathedral Ceiling Ideas?

Not only are they a beautiful way to enhance any room of a home, but the upward-sloping design also allows for ample amounts of light to fill the space. 

Take some time to explore various ideas and designs when it comes to outfitting your cathedral ceiling. 

From stained timbers and tongue-and-groove panels to white walls and exposed beams, you can find plenty of inspiration from both traditional architectural styles or leaning more toward a contemporary aesthetic. 

Sometimes the simplest of changes can make all the difference in how your finished product looks – from natural lights cascading down from skylights or well-placed chandeliers adding contrast against an otherwise rustic look. 

What Value Do Cathedral Ceilings Add?

Adding a cathedral ceiling to your home can be an impressive and aesthetically pleasing improvement. 

  • High ceilings provide more space, light, and airiness, which are attractive qualities to the majority of buyers. 
  • In addition to increasing the size of a room visually, cathedral ceilings also appeal to individuals looking for a luxurious feel in their home.

However, you should take into consideration the surrounding market before installing a cathedral ceiling. If you are the only house on your block that has it, there may not be as much of an increase in value when putting your home up for sale. 

Cathedral Ceilings VS Vaulted

A cathedral ceiling is a type of roof that is constructed in the same shape as the roof, with two angled walls meeting at a peak. 

  • This type of ceiling is often seen in churches or large homes and can create a grand and lavish feel within any space. 
  • It is also known for being structurally sound and efficient when it comes to insulation because heat can be trapped at the peak.

A vaulted ceiling does not come to a peak like a cathedral ceiling, but instead has several curved shapes arranged into unique unified patterns. 

  • Each shape may have different measurements or angles, which create interesting designs that may add visual interest to any room. 
  • Vaulted ceilings are usually made up of several distinct components – domed vaults, archways, barrel vaults, and groin vaults among others – which can be used together to form impressive shapes. 

What Are The Drawbacks Of Cathedral Ceilings?

Cathedral ceilings no doubt add a certain grandeur to your home, but before jumping into making this kind of layout change, you should be aware of some potential drawbacks. 

  • For one, cleaning and maintaining the high windows of your cathedral ceiling can be quite an undertaking for the average homeowner. 
  • You’ll need a tall ladder in order to access them and explore those hard-to-reach spaces where cobwebs, dirt, and dust seem to accumulate over time. 
  • On top of that, homeowners with cathedral ceilings may find an increase in their energy bills due to the difficulty of heating or cooling these spaces effectively. 

The high ceilings mean that more energy is needed to be compared to rooms with flat or low ceilings, which are easier to keep at comfortable temperatures. 

How Much Exactly Does A Cathedral Ceiling Cost?

If you’re adding the feature during newly built construction, then you can expect the costs to range from around 5 to 20 percent of your total construction budget. 

This is due in part to the type of materials and trims used when installing this kind of ceiling. 

However, if this is something that you want to add to an existing home, then there’s no getting away from it – it will cost more, with estimates ranging between $18,000 and $25,000.

Final Thoughts

Cathedral ceilings add an impressive and elegant touch to homes, however, the costs can be quite significant. 

It’s important to consider the local real estate market before committing to this kind of update, as well as how much maintenance it will require. Vaulted ceilings are also a great option for those looking for something more grandiose, but still have budgets in mind. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Decorate A Cathedral Ceiling On A Budget?

Apart from budgetary considerations, there are numerous other options for decoration and floor design for a cathedral ceiling without breaking the bank. 

A variety of angles, arcs, beams, and/or curved surfaces create visually interesting patterns that might be pleasing depending on your taste.

There are also many types of trims and finishes available, which contribute greatly towards an attractive interior look. 

Ida Oliveira
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