How to decorate a room with a high ceiling, according to interior designers

A lofty ceiling is a definite asset. It can make a room look and feel spacious as well as impressive. But unless you know how to decorate a room with a high ceiling, the grandeur of the space can be lost, and it might even end up looking empty and unwelcoming.

When interior design professionals approach a high-ceilinged room, they decorate to make the most of its proportions, as well as to ensure it’s an appealing space. Color, lighting choices, furniture and more all count towards a great design for one of these rooms.

And so you can pull off the same success, we asked them to share the secrets of decorating a room with a high ceiling and this is what they told us.

8 ways to decorate a room with a high ceiling

It can seem easy to execute your style in a room with a high ceiling as this is such a celebrated feature. But two things are worth keeping in mind. First, that care is needed to take advantage of this room bonus. Second, the design needs to prevent it from feeling cavernous rather than part of a home. Use this advice from interior designers, though, and you can profit from a lofty space.

1. Draw the eye up

To benefit from a room with a high ceiling, direct attention to it. ‘You can enhance the drama of high ceilings by incorporating striking design elements that draw the eye upward,’ says Lucinda Loya, founder and principal of Lucinda Loya Interiors.

You might opt for beautiful lighting ideas (more on that to come next), but you could also use shelves that extend high on the wall to perform the same function, as seen above. And decorating shelves will also bring personality to the space.

2. Introduce statement lighting

A high-ceilinged room needs statement lighting and Los Angeles-based interior designer Victoria Holly puts these top on her list of decorating decisions.

‘For spaces with high ceilings, first and foremost, lighting is your friend,’ she says. ‘Incorporate statement lighting such as large chandeliers or sculptural pendant lights. This will dramatize the height of the ceiling.’

For a two-story ceiling height, Leigh Spicher, national director of design studios for Ashton Woods Homes, recommends a grand chandelier. ‘Make sure your light not only matches the scale in diameter but has extra vertical scale, too,’ she advises.

3. Layer lighting

While a statement light is a great idea, don’t leave it at that. ‘A single light fixture won't do justice to a high-ceilinged space,’ says interior designer Ali Budd.

‘Create warmth and balance by layering different types of lighting – think pendants for drama, recessed lights for subtlety, and floor or table lamps for coziness. A well-lit space not only highlights the height but makes it feel inviting, not cavernous.’

4. Make a feature of the ceiling

The ceiling of a tall room is the fifth wall you should consider decorating, contrasting it with the walls by considering ceiling paint ideas or using another decorative treatment.

‘High ceilings can sometimes feel a bit bare, but they're the perfect canvas for architectural details like exposed beams, coffered ceilings, or intricate moldings,’ says Ali Budd. ‘Even a simple pop of color or a patterned wallpaper on the ceiling can make the space feel curated and intentional while balancing the room's verticality.'

Alternatively, go bespoke. ‘A custom ceiling mural can amplify the grandeur of the space,’ adds Lucinda Loya.

5. Leave the floor neutral

In addition to drawing attention to the ceiling, think about what the floor is like. ‘Pull the eye up with little color or texture on the floor and a bold or colorful ceiling treatment,’ recommends interior designer Julie Anne Burch.

‘Leaving the floor neutral allows the eye to naturally travel upward, and a color on the ceiling emphasizes the room’s height without making it feel cavernous.’

6. Add detail to walls

The tall walls of a room with a high ceiling are also important to consider along with the decor for the ceiling itself. ‘You can add a lower architectural focal point, such as wainscoting or picture rails to help break up the tall walls,’ says Victoria Holly.

You might also think about hanging large-scale artwork or creating gallery walls to avoid large expanses of bare wall, suggests interior designer Mike Belk, owner and founder of BELK Tile.

7. Create a focal point

There’s another way to decorate a wall in a room with a high ceiling that maximizes the elegance of the space.

‘Choose a focal point for one wall (a fireplace wall is a good example) and paint that focal space a contrasting color all the way to the top of the highest point,’ says Leigh Spicher. ‘This will create even more grandeur in spaces that deserve it.’

8. Scale furniture to the room

Just as low-slung furniture is a clever choice when you’re decorating a room with a low ceiling, furniture should equally have dimensions appropriate to one with a high ceiling.

‘Use larger-sized furniture, especially with height. Your furniture should scale to your ceilings – particularly in a bedroom where you want a taller headboard,’ says Victoria Holly.

Other furnishings and accessories should follow this rule. ‘Dramatic floor-to-ceiling curtains, and oversized plants anchor the room, ensuring it feels proportional and inviting,’ says Mike Belk.

The takeaway on decorating a room with a high ceiling? While it’s a huge bonus, thoughtful design is a must to make it a wow feature and the room overall feel like a space that’s a pleasure to spend time in.