High ceilings are just as marketable in real estate as open layouts and natural light. Banking on the sense of more space, generous ceiling heights are associated with luxe interior design and grand aesthetic appeal, and usually increase a property's resale value. (Browse through Property Access PH's listings here and find the right real estate investment for you.)
But why are high ceilings so sought after in the real estate market? What benefits do they pose? Could there be drawbacks to tall ceilings or should you just go as high as you can? And what can you do to make your standard height ceilings appear taller?
Why are high ceilings better?
High ceilings make a space feel bright, airy, and large. The illusion of more square footage (albeit upward) allows for breathability and overall openness. If you're the type to host gatherings at home, you may find that tall ceilings not only look impressive but can also feel expansive and not cramped in. The idea of space can do wonders for your psychological and mental health (especially during times like these), and a high ceiling can create that for you.
Higher overheads also offer more wall space, giving way to larger windows and doorways. These openings welcome more natural light to come into the room, and create more aesthetic appeal especially if the outside views are spectacular. Moreover, these help open up the home to "borrow" and extend to the outdoor space, furthering the sense of expansion.
With more headroom comes the unending possibilities of interior design choices that can make a home feel unique and visually interesting. Floor-to-ceiling curtains are elegant yet carefree and work in any room in your abode. Ceiling pendants and chandeliers add a grand and dramatic flare to your dedicated entertainment spaces. An open and high overhead can serve as avenue for hanging art installations that not all homes can accommodate. Feature walls have bigger impact if they're 10-,12-, 20-feet high.
Openness of a space, access to natural light and views, and design versatility are just some of the reasons why high ceilings are incredibly popular among contemporary homeowners and designers. It's these added features that make homes with tall ceilings more valuable in the market. And it's the same features that may or may not be worth the costs and effort linked to having high ceilings at home.
What are the disadvantages of having high ceilings?
While high ceilings are a house feature that many look for when buying or renting property, they may not be for everyone. Tall ceilings come with more responsibilities and require more resources as compared with their shorter counterparts. That is because larger spaces demand more maintenance, more energy, and more effort from the homeowners.
Firstly, high ceilings require costly maintenance. Ceilings generally need to be repainted or repaired every couple of years, and the taller they are, the harder it is to do that by yourself. Ceiling lights and fixtures are also harder to replace when they're 20 feet high off the ground. Hiring a contractor or even the neighborhood handyman will incur additional fees you may not be willing to spend for.
The temperatures in a high-ceiling home are much harder to steady versus spaces with standard ceiling heights. A taller abode means more room to cool and maintaining that cold air could be a huge hit in your electricity bills.
Tall ceilings also lend to added noise. Ever wonder why theaters and other public entertainment venues have towering ceilings? Sound travels easily in an open space, and echo is almost always unavoidable in high-ceiling rooms. This might be something you're fine compromising for especially if you live alone, but if there are children or other people in the mix, you might need to reconsider.
All in all, ceilings are a highly personal house feature that has to make sense to you. High ceilings do look beautiful — and can make for good investments — but they're not for everyone. Thankfully, there are visual decisions you can make to maximize your regular ceilings.
How can one make low ceilings look higher?
If you already have a wonderful home that has everything you need save for a high ceiling, it may not be worth moving houses just for a ceiling that a foot taller. At the end of the day, personal spaces are more than how they look. They have to be cozy, livable, and evoke a sense of comfort, and no tall ceiling can give you that if you're not willing to do the work it takes to clean and take care of those high overheads.
And just because your home doesn't have 20-foot ceilings and large floor-to-ceiling windows doesn't mean it can't feel open and bright. Many properties — most condominiums and apartments — work fine with standard sized windows and lower headroom. This is because there are many ways to "hack the look" and make your standard ceilings appear taller than they actually are.
Recessed or canned lighting is a low ceiling essential, as they open up the overhead room that would otherwise be cluttered with chandeliers and drop lights. The same effect can be emphasized with low slung furniture that are understated. With less distractions and material taking up vertical space, the more wall you can see, making the ceiling appear farther away from you at ground level.
In terms of decorations, houses with low ceilings can benefit from tall and slim mirrors that help bounce light around, as well as wall frames that help create vertical lines and draw the eye upward.
Hanging at a higher level also allows the visual interest to be carried upward, which is why artworks have to "lifted" and window treatments have to be hung as close to the ceiling as possible, and drape all the way to the floor.
Lastly, using a continuous shade across the room (preferably something light and bright) — floor to ceiling, including door frames and crown molding — ensures that boundaries are blurred, corners are softened, and the space is tall, wide, and open.
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