Decorative beams on the ceiling: types, materials, design, color, choice of style

Features of the design of low and high ceilings

• In an interior with low ceilings, ceiling beams of a simple design, for example, along or across a room, will look harmonious.
• In a compact room, it is better to replace the timber with a board or plastic. They will save space.
• To prevent the ceiling from looking low, it is better to use a light palette.
• In a room with high ceilings, complex structures and dark-colored finishes will look appropriate.

Types and materials of ceiling beams

Carriers

This type of flooring can be considered a “skeleton” of a building, without which it cannot exist. Ceiling load-bearing beams can be hidden or beaten in the interior of the apartment.

Concrete slabs

They are used most often in the construction of urban multi-storey buildings and industrial premises. Ceiling concrete beam will harmoniously look in the interior with a modern style, such as loft, grunge, minimalism.

Wooden floors

They are rarely used in the construction of urban housing, more often in cottages, summer cottages or for individual repairs. Solid or glued beams have a square shape. It is most often used as a ceiling slab.

The log is round. The material is more expensive than timber, but it looks better in the interior from an aesthetic point of view.

Metal floor

The metal is stronger and has a longer service life. In the interior of the house, they can be decorated or hidden; when open, they will look harmoniously in an urban industrial style.

On the picture spacious attic room in high-tech style, ceiling beams are made of metal.

Imitation

Beams serving as decor for the interior should support the overall style.

Wood

Wooden ceiling beams add rustic coziness to the interior. Ceiling beams from a bar look luxurious and massive, it is better to use them in a spacious room, since they are quite voluminous and large structures will take up a lot of space.

For finishing standard city apartments or small rooms, it is better to choose boards, they are more compact. Also, the board can be part of the structure, where a solid bar is used as a basis.

Plastic

Polyurethane or plastic false ceiling beams can be analogous to wood. The material is not environmentally friendly, but it wins in price and variety. Visually, such ceiling beams will not differ much from natural wood.

Drywall

By decorating the ceiling with plasterboard panels, you can hide communications, while emphasizing the desired style in the interior. In addition, it is possible to install lamps in the plasterboard ceiling beams.

On the picture ceiling beams are made of plasterboard, decorated with plaster for concrete.

Ceiling finishing material

Tension cloth

Stretch ceiling is one of the most common finishing options. The popularity is due to the ease of installation, great variety and relatively low cost. The stretch fabric heats up to 60 degrees and is fixed on each side of the room. The material can have a glossy and matte surface, which allows you to choose the best option for style in the interior.

Lining

Wooden lining will look harmonious in a room with high ceilings. In a city apartment, the lining can be painted in a light shade, so it will visually conceal a minimum of space.

Suspension

A plasterboard ceiling can have a flat or multi-level surface. The ceiling will be decorated with beams, stucco moldings or built-in lighting, depending on stylistic preferences. The structure is made of a metal frame and drywall sheets attached to it.

Painting

Requires a perfectly flat surface. This finish is easy to apply and comes in a wide variety of colors. The ceiling will be decorated with plinths, stucco moldings or beams.

On the picture stylish minimalistic eco-style bedroom.

Wallpaper

A prepared surface is also required for wallpapering. An interesting option would be finishing with photo wallpaper.

Location options

Across

The transverse arrangement of the ceiling beams will visually bring the room closer to the shape of a square, expanding the walls. In a spacious room, you can use a full-fledged timber, complementing the picture with low chandeliers or spotlights. In a compact room, there will be enough boards to support the interior in the desired style.

Along

The longitudinal arrangement of the ceiling beams will make the room look longer. By decorating the LED flight panel, you can get the effect of floating in the air.

Diagonally

The diagonal arrangement of the ceiling beams will make the room more voluminous. A similar decoration method looks interesting in a modern living room interior. The beams can be located around the entire perimeter of the ceiling, or they can only occupy a part.

Half ceiling

Ceiling decoration will partially visually divide the room into two zones, while maintaining the area. For example, in the kitchen, this way you can separate the cooking area from the dining area.

Cross-to-cross styling

Such an arrangement of the ceiling beams will make the space volumetric. To emphasize the relief and unusual arrangement, the color of the beams can be made in contrast to the main color.

Dividing a room into zones

A great way to zoning space. A ceiling structure will indicate the desired area or divide the room into two areas. For example, in a studio apartment, beams can be located in the cooking area, thereby separating the rest of the space, or in the bedroom, a complex structure will decorate a sleeping place, denoting a sleeping area.

Roof structures

An interesting interior solution would be to erect a structure on the ceiling according to the principle of a roof structure, for example, a "rack" or "truss". It is these structures that are located under the roof of the building, holding it. Such structures are suitable for interior decoration with high sloping ceilings.

On the picture bright kitchen-living room, ceiling beams are made according to the principle of roof construction.

Unusual styling

Location methods can be completely different from beautiful patterns that make up any drawing to complex geometric shapes. Complex ceiling structures will look harmonious in a room with high ceilings.

Decor methods

Aging

The aging effect is characteristic of many styles, such as Provence, shabby chic, rustic. In the interior, such items look rustic, cozy and warm.

Painting

You can highlight the ceiling beams by painting them in a color contrasting with the ceiling, for example, red beams on a light background. In this way, you can beat any theme or add some bright details to the interior.

Varnishing

Lacquered wood ceiling beams maintain the wood's unique pattern. Coating with varnish will brighten the material and protect it from harmful effects. A similar finish is suitable for a country-style interior, loft, chalet.

Patterns, carving

Painted patterns or wood carvings will look not only luxurious, but unique. Patterns and openwork carving will perfectly match the Russian style. A more discreet type of carving is suitable for a classic interior.

Color selection

White

White ceiling beams on a light background will look very delicate. The ceilings do not seem low and the design will have its own "zest". White beams look interesting against the background of the ceiling in pastel shades.

On the picture bleached boards on the ceiling look very delicate, they blend harmoniously into the bedroom interior with a pastel color palette.

Brown

The classic decor is brown wood beams against the white ceiling. Due to the contrast of colors, you can adjust the space of the room.

On the picture spacious kitchen-dining room. The ceiling is finished with white wooden slats and contrasting brown beams.

Grey

Gray ceiling beams against a light background do not have strong contrast, but they still stand out in the overall picture. The combination of rural details and a fashionable color that is relevant today looks interesting.

Beige

Beige ceiling beams look harmonious both on a flat ceiling and on a slatted ceiling. A light shade, close to the color of natural wood, will decorate the interior of a house or bath in any style.

The black

Contrasting black ceiling beams will complement a room in a modern style, echoing other details or furnishings.

Bright

Ceiling beams in a bright shade will decorate a modern interior or a children's room. The bright color can be combined with other details in the interior, such as textiles, decorative elements or small pieces of furniture.

Photo in the interior of the apartment

Kitchen

The location, color and material of the ceiling beams depend on the size and stylistic direction of the kitchen. In a compact room, minimalistic straight beams on a glossy surface will harmoniously look. Another way to save space is with light-colored ceiling beams. In a spacious kitchen, the location will completely depend on the layout of the room or the style in the interior.

On the picture kitchen interior with black suite. Partial ceiling beams separate the cooking area.

Living room

The ceiling in the hall will be decorated with beams against the background of a flat surface. Depending on the area of ​​the room, the crossbeams can have a light palette, identical or similar to the main color of the ceiling finish. Or contrast against the general background, thereby playing the role of the main object in the room.

Bedroom

Wooden beams will make the bedroom more comfortable. The design can be around the entire perimeter of the ceiling or just above the bed, denoting the sleeping area. The color of the finish depends on the style of the room.

On the picture delicate bedroom in pastel colors. On the ceiling there is a structure made of plasterboard and decorative beams.

Children

In the children's room, ceiling beams will support themed decoration, for example, marine or eco style. The rungs can become part of the image of the room.

Hallway and corridor

If the hallway or corridor room is small and lacks natural light, then the best solution would be a modest ceiling structure in the form of several bars along or across the room.

Bathroom

When decorating a bathroom, it is worth considering the ever-changing humidity.The best solution would be to use plastic or polyurethane ceiling false panels, which can also simulate the desired material.

Photo in the interior of the house

With a sufficient area of ​​a private house, there are more opportunities for the embodiment of ideas. In houses from a log house with load-bearing log or cobbled beams, there is no need to camouflage them, finishing in the form of grinding or painting will be enough.

On the picture chalet style country house. Decorating and filling are made of natural materials.

The interior of a cottage or country house with a high sloping ceiling will be decorated with a three-dimensional structure made of wooden beams, repeating the roof structure.

In country houses and saunas, natural wood trim will look the most harmonious, emphasizing the closeness of nature.

Having trimmed the attic with beams, you can create your own secluded corner, which will turn out to be a cozy bedroom or a place to relax.

The bathhouse will also radiate the warmth and comfort of a real Russian bath, it is enough to sand the supporting or decorative beams and cover with special paint or varnish.

Suitable styles

Loft

The loft style is characterized by a minimal or complete absence of decorative finishes. If there are metal, concrete or wooden ceiling beams in the room, they must be left behind. In their absence, false beams will help, which can also correct the space.

Provence

The Provence style interior is made in light pastel colors and mainly from natural materials. Wooden beams can be painted in one of these shades or have the original color and texture of the wood. This trend is characterized by artificially aged pieces of furniture and decoration.

On the picture kitchen in olive color in the style of Provence. The ceiling is finished in one color with an aging effect.

Country

Country style is hard to imagine without wooden beams. A spacious room will be decorated with complex timber structures, in a small room there will be enough simple wooden boards in the right direction.

Scandinavian

The Scandinavian-style interior has a light, most often white color scheme. Natural materials are used to decorate and fill the room, such as wood or stone. Ceiling beams made of bleached wood will harmoniously look in the interior.

Modern

The ceiling in a modern style can be decorated with beams made of wood, metal or drywall. The layout can be simple or complex geometric shapes. The design will be complemented by stylish lamps, LED strip or spotlights.

Classical

The interior in a classic style will be decorated with smooth wooden or plaster beams. Cross-on-cross masonry will look harmonious.

Chalet and rustic

The chalet and rustic style is characterized by the cozy atmosphere of an alpine house. Wooden ceiling beams do not have to be painted, the original color, texture and pattern of the tree will be very useful. In such a design, it is appropriate to use lamps with warm light, emphasizing the comfort and warmth of the interior.

On the picture chalet-style attic. The decoration is completely made of natural wood.

Lighting and illumination

Different types of lighting will have completely different results. Spotlights can be installed in the crossbeams or between them in the ceiling.

For complex volumetric structures, mobile lamps can be attached directly to the beams and change their position if necessary.

The chandelier should reflect the general stylistic idea, for example, in a country-style room it can be a low wrought-iron chandelier, and in the interior the Provence is neat with several textile shades.

An unusual effect is created by the LED strip, recessed into the side parts of the beam, creating a feeling of floating in the air.

With your own hands

Before proceeding with the repair, it is necessary to determine the dimensions of the beams and the distance between them.The distance between the beams depends on the area and height of the room.

• In a room with high ceilings, it is permissible to place beams close to each other, so the room will appear slightly lower.
• Accordingly, in a small room, it is better to fix the ceiling beams at a sufficient distance.
• The length of the beams depends on the desire to decorate the room along the entire length or to highlight only a part.

One of the easiest ways to construct ceiling beams is to make them from foam.

1. Styrofoam sheets are cut to the desired size and glued together into a bar.
2. Then they can be pasted over with a film imitating wood or plastic and fixed to the ceiling. Installation is quick and effortless.

How to attach beams to the ceiling

Each material has a different weight and properties, respectively, the fastening is also different.

• Before starting work, it is necessary to reproduce the marks on the ceiling where the future crossbars will be fixed.
• For Styrofoam beams, liquid nails are sufficient.
• To be sure of the result, the ceiling can be primed.

Wooden decorative beams are fixed with bars that are attached to the ceiling at a distance of 1 meter. A wooden false beam is fixed with self-tapping screws on top of the bars.

On the picture installation diagram of wooden and polyurethane beams.

Photo gallery

Ceiling decoration is an important detail in the interior. Ceiling structures are a good way to add personality and character to a design. In an apartment with a modern style, the ceilings can be made of plastic or metal; in a modern and provincial design, natural wood will look harmoniously. Below are photo examples of the use of beams on the ceiling in rooms for various functional purposes.