Ceiling beams in the interior - a decorative element or architectural feature

A ceiling with beams brings a sense of homeliness and warmth to the interior of living spaces. Regardless of whether the beams are structural features of the room or perform an exclusively decorative function, the design of such a space is transformed. A ceiling with beams made in contrasting colors with respect to the entire surface of the ceiling will attract attention and create a special optical effect of the interior. But even the elements of the ceilings, painted in the same tone with the ceiling, will not be left without attention. Due to its structure and distinctive texture, ceiling beams made of wood or other materials become an outstanding element of any interior.

The presence of beams on the ceiling can be caused by various reasons:

• in private houses of an urban or suburban type, beams are an integral part of the building structure, elements of the ceiling of the frame to support the attic or attic;
• a desire to give the interior a certain style (for example, country, rural, eco, shabby chic or Provence are often accompanied by a similar ceiling decoration);
• the ability to hide the flaws of the ceiling - placing beams at the joints of drywall sheets significantly reduces the cost of final surface finishing;
• various engineering communications can be masked in hollow ceiling beams - from pipes to electrical wiring lines, backlight elements can be built into the cavities of such beams:
• to the beams of wood, metal or stone, you can attach various elements of the interior - from pendant lights to televisions.

So, we decided that the beams on the ceiling can be decorative or perform quite obvious support functions. But what materials can they be made of? As usual, all materials for the execution of beams for the ceiling can be divided into natural and artificial:

• tree - one of the most common, but not cheap materials for the manufacture of beams. For suburban households and private houses located within the city, coniferous wood is most often used, but there are also options for deciduous types of wood beams (for a country or eco style, this type of ceiling decoration is most relevant);
• metal - steel or aluminum beams are often used in loft, industrial and high-tech interiors (lighting elements are often attached to such structures, but exclusively decorative use is no less rare);
• polyurethane - This artificial material is able to simulate almost any surface - from wood to stone. An essential distinguishing feature of polyurethane beams is the low weight of the products. Of course, the cost of artificial decoration elements is lower than their natural counterparts. Such beams can be used in interiors of any stylistic affiliation, it all depends on the size of the premises and the quality of the imitation imitation “wood-like” or other materials.

The following factors will influence the choice of material, appearance and configuration of beams with respect to the ceiling:

• the size of the room and the shape of the ceiling (horizontal surface or vaulted ceiling, multi-level or small room height - all these factors must be taken into account when choosing ceiling elements);
• room decoration style - classic styling or cutting-edge high-tech will require a different approach in choosing ceiling beams;
• budget for repairs - the cost of beams can vary significantly, depending on the material of manufacture, size and complexity of the modification of structures.

It is with the living room that we most often associate the design of the ceiling with beams. A spacious room for family gatherings or receptions is the room that more than others needs to create not only a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, but also originality, because it is the hallmark of a home or apartment. If the use of ceiling beams in the interiors of living rooms of private houses of a city or country type does not surprise our compatriots anymore, then it is still somewhat puzzling to decide to use this element of the interior in apartments. Meanwhile, the use of natural material or its spectacular imitation in the living room of urban apartments brings that natural warmth that is so lacking in a noisy and gassed metropolis.

One of the options for decorating the ceiling in the living room of a private house is the use of wood as a material for facing panels and decorating the surface with beams. In addition to the fact that the wooden ceiling brings natural warmth to the character of the interior, it can serve as a screen for placing engineering systems - ventilation and electrical wiring. Lamps can be integrated under wooden ceiling panels or lining, and chandeliers can be hung from beams.

Another way to decorate the ceiling in the living room of a private house is the bleached surfaces of boards and beams. For small rooms and rooms with sufficiently low ceilings, it is better not to use a dark color for the decoration of the ceiling, so as not to create a visual pressure effect hanging over your head.

You can also use a contrasting combination of light ceiling finishes and the use of dark wood (or its effective imitation) for the execution of decorative beams. The color of the beams can be repeated in the design of windows or doors, some elements of furniture or flooring, with this approach, the interior will look harmonious, complete.

The presence of rusticity in the modern interior of the living room will create a difficult original appearance of the room, but it will also raise the degree of originality of the whole house to an incredibly high level. Against the background of the modern design of a spacious living room, roughly hewn logs or wood blocks look contrasting, despite the use of a neutral color palette. Usually, the rustic design of the ceiling beams is “supported” by the appropriate design of the fireplace zone - the space around the hearth is lined with large stones, as if they had not been processed.

Ceiling beams made of the same wood as the main living room furniture will look great and complement the harmonious design of the room. Often, beams for the ceiling and entire ensembles of storage systems create an original and yet organic alliance.

An example of introducing an element of constructivism in the design of a living room located in a private house.

The use of ceiling beams to decorate the ceiling in the bedroom is an infrequent design technique for our country. But in European design projects, such a constructive and decorative solution can be found quite often. If the ceiling height in the room for sleeping and relaxing allows you to use the decoration in the form of beams, you should not miss this opportunity. Depending on the material and color of the execution of your beams, they are able to bring structural, dynamism or a spirit of natural warmth and comfort to the character of the bedroom interior.

For a bedroom located in the attic, a wooden ceiling with ceilings and beams is a logical design option, because all these interior elements are design features and act not as decor, but as supporting products that support the building frame.In such spaces, it makes no sense to hide a large bevel of the ceiling behind plasterboard screens, because this hides most of the height of the room and it loses not only square meters, but also a feeling of spaciousness, freedom.

Ceiling beams in the bedroom can be solved in the same color as the ceiling surface, or act as a contrasting element. Beams look organically, repeating the color of the natural pattern of flooring or furniture - beds, for example.

Snow-white ceiling beams are suitable for the interior of almost any stylistic direction. Even a room with low ceilings will look light and airy, a white tone in the decoration of the ceiling does not burden the image of the bedroom, even if large ceiling beams are used.

In a house built of timber, it is logical to see the ceiling beams in the form of logs in the bedroom. Proximity to nature, some rustic atmosphere and natural color palette, of course, favorably affect the atmosphere of the room for sleeping and relaxing. In such an environment, you can relax and get ready for a sound and deep sleep.

Examples of the design of rural-style bedrooms with the active use of wood as a finishing material.

For the design of the kitchen-dining room of small sizes, a snow-white finish is ideal for visually expanding the space. But in an absolutely bright kitchen space, it is difficult to avoid associations with the premises of sterile hospital wards, and the color temperature in such functional segments evokes coolness. Ceiling beams made of dark wood will help to add contrast, and hence dynamics, to a bright room. The chipped and intentionally untreated surfaces of the wooden elements of the ceiling decor will bring not only a special touch, but also the motives of rural life.

The kitchen, fully decorated with natural wood, involves the use of natural material for the decoration of the ceiling. When the wooden facades of kitchen cabinets, located from floor to ceiling, meet the same material for the decoration of ceilings, a feeling of infinity of space is created. In such a kitchen it is warm and comfortable.

The rustic dining room is cozy and comfortable. The abundant use of natural wood allows you to create an incredibly warm atmosphere both for family dinners and for receptions with refreshments. Wooden beams on the ceiling in this case play an important role in shaping the nature of the room, which will be comfortable for everyone.

An example of the use of ceiling beams when decorating the dining room ceiling, located in a semicircular bay window.

Large logs as a ceiling decor will help bring a little rusticity to the traditional style of the kitchen. Roughly hewn ceiling beams will look contrasting not only in color but also in texture. But many interiors lack just such a “shake”, originality.

Stone finishes and wood elements often go hand in hand in the design of kitchen spaces and dining rooms. Rarely the use of stone furnish of the hearth, kitchen apron, columns or other interior elements without the use of wood for partial or even complete decoration of the functional space. Well, the installation of ceiling beams in this case is the least expensive design technique.

Ceiling beams painted “for metal” will be in perfect harmony with the steel sheen of the surfaces of household appliances or worktops made of steel.

To meet the ceiling beams in the design of the bathroom in a Russian apartment is not just difficult, but almost impossible. Especially when it comes to apartment buildings built in the last century, where there are few square meters and low ceilings.But in modern private homes of our compatriots considerable areas are allotted for utilitarian premises, and the ceiling height is enviable. In such spaces, you can not limit yourself to the choice of style and motives for its manifestation.

Many homeowners believe that wood does not have a place in the bathroom because of its low water repellent properties. But there are two ways to solve this problem - first of all, you can use various antiseptic sprays that process the entire surface of the beams and special varnishes that protect the elements of the ceiling decor from moisture, you can also use a polyurethane analogue of wood, which normally tolerates high room humidity. But these methods of introducing rural motifs into the interior of the bathroom are possible only if there is forced ventilation of the room.

Hollow ceiling beams in bathrooms can be used to integrate a lighting system. Thus, it is possible not only to transform the appearance of a utility room, but also to create a more secure environment by isolating electrical appliances from moisture.

If the space of a private house is decorated using ceiling beams, it will be logical to use this design element not only in the main rooms, such as the living room or bedroom, but also for the design of auxiliary rooms - hallways, laundries, wine cellars and even corridors.

Examples of the use of ceiling beams in the design of the space of an office or library.

It is difficult to imagine the design of a bathhouse or home sauna without the use of natural wood, and therefore the use of such a constructive and decorative element of the interior as floor beams. As a rule, steam rooms are rooms of very modest sizes that simply do not need high ceilings and the use of beams directly in rooms with a maximum temperature is impractical. But the design of the so-called "dressing rooms" and lounges in front of the steam rooms is excellent for the use of ceiling beams.

Country style like no other is associated with the use of beams to decorate the ceiling. The active use of wood (in rare cases of its imitation) allows you to create the design of rooms that are in harmony with the surrounding nature. Light negligence in the design of the premises allows you to create an atmosphere in which you can really relax and enjoy every minute of your stay in a comfortable and convenient environment.

If a dining room or kitchen is designed in a marine style (possibly three functional zones, not excluding the living room, connected in one space by an open plan), then the use of ceiling beams to create a warm and cozy atmosphere is very common. The design of the premises of marine style is often dominated by cold colors - all shades of blue, the active use of white. Wood elements with an untouched natural pattern will help to bring some warmth to the original interior of the premises. Warm wood shades of natural wood beams will look great on a snow-white ceiling.

An example of the design of a bedroom in a marine style using the complex design of beam ceilings. In a light and even airy image of a room for sleeping and relaxing, a difficult composition of ceiling beams with dark fasteners becomes the focal center of the space that attracts all the attention.

When using industrial stylistics in the interior of the veins of the premises, the following design techniques are most often used - open communications, ceiling and other ceilings, large spaces and an open plan.As structures of floors and beams, metal products are most often used. The style of the loft makes no exceptions even for personal spaces such as a bedroom.

When decorating rooms in a tropical style, one can often find the use of a contrasting combination of a light ceiling and walls with colorful and even bright elements of wood to create a fringing of surfaces, dividing them into sections. Often, fabric or mat pieces are inserted into such sections (bamboo can also be used). The resulting interior is never boring or trivial.

Modern classics no longer look so pompous as when the style was born, the rooms retain a sense of spaciousness even when using luxurious furniture made of solid wood with carvings and decor. Neoclassical suggests a more relaxed approach to the decoration of rooms - rarely used expensive wallpaper with gold-plated embossing or abundant stucco molding to decorate the ceiling. For example, in a bedroom with a large luxurious bed, actively decorated with carvings, the ceiling may well be decorated using simple and laconic in form and texture beams of natural shades.

The classic-style bedroom with a fireplace and a snow-white ceiling with neat beams looks luxurious, but at the same time cozy.

The stylistics that came to us from southeastern France is known for its commitment to the use of natural materials. The style, the formation of which took place in the difficult climate of mountain settlements, suggests the strength and stability of structures that can serve more than one generation of the family. Wealthy homeowners often apply, if not all the motives of the Chalet style, then some elements of this style close to nature to decorate suburban dwellings, not necessarily located in ski resorts. The decoration of the ceiling always betrays the room belonging to the Chalet style - it is always an abundant use of natural wood, the use of large beams, often passing from the ceiling to the walls, the organization of complex geometric structures and the "interweaving" of timber or logs.

Polyurethane ceiling beams fit perfectly into the decoration of the room, decorated in a modern style. Small hollow beams are suitable for decorating the ceiling, both in private houses and in apartments. A living room or bedroom with simple decoration, concise and functional furnishings and a minimum of decor will be transformed using wood-like beams.

When designing rooms in a minimalist style, one can find the use of ceiling beams to give the interior a touch of home warmth and coziness, because spaces decorated with a minimal amount of furniture and a complete lack of decor can look like public spaces. There are no associations with the office space in the bedroom space, but even the use of a pair of beams for decorating the ceiling will add warmth to the design of the room for sleeping and relaxing.