Decorative Ceiling Beam Ideas
Written by Milan Jara on 23rd Jul 2019
Decorative Ceiling Beam Ideas Help Create a New Look for Your Home
Whether you are going for a design aesthetic that is modern, vintage, or somewhere in between, decorating ceiling beams can help you achieve your goals. Adding wood beams to your home creates a whole new look in a space. It can be rustic, retro, vaulted, or modern, all depending on the overall vibe you create in a space.
What’s so great about a solid wood exposed beam?
It's the sense of style it brings to the interior. Regardless of whether you are aiming for a rustic style that will compliment your hardwood floors or a decorative element to break up a more modern decore style, these beams are a good choice.
Anyone can add new furniture, paint, fixtures, and more to a space. People spend tens of thousands of dollars to update every aspect of a space. But with a ceiling beam, you add one single feature that completely updates the look of the space. Your home will automatically look new and improved and increase in value with just this one change.
Ceiling beam ideas are versatile. They range from modern to vintage and can vary based on the home's overall style. You might see designs that look one way in pictures, but it’s important to know that you can make an exposed ceiling beam fit any decor aesthetic.
It’s also possible to add faux ceiling beams or use a floating reclaimed wood beam. It can either be about exposing or adding when it comes to ceiling beams. It’s all up to your style and your budget.
What Do You Need to Know About Decorative Ceiling Beams?
We'll break it down for you so you'll understand why wooden beams work with so many styles, how you can use decorative ceiling beams effectively, and what you should do if you're ready to take the plunge and add decorative ceiling beams to your decor.
The final execution will depend on where you will install the beams, as your kitchen will have different needs than the master bedroom.
What’s the Benefit of Changing Your Ceiling?
There are so many different reasons for adding decorative ceiling beams to your space.
For starters, it's a change that really brings a new stylish atmosphere to any room. It's one of those simple changes that hugely impact a space.
Think about it this way: you can go out and invest in all new furniture and completely change the look of a space. You’ll spend thousands of dollars and likely run all over town and spend hours searching online for the right furniture and decor items to fit your style and the dimensions of your room. It’s a downright daunting project.
Or you can install a decorative ceiling beam in that same space. The result is just as impactful – maybe even more so – than new furniture and décor. All you need to do is shop for and invest in one item.
Decorative ceiling beams instantly make your entire space more beautiful and architecturally interesting. Everyone has a couch, chairs, tables, etc., all of the essential pieces of furniture to fill a space. But not everyone has exposed beams that draw the eye upward, make a space feel larger and cozier at the same time, and create interest in the room.
It might be the single greatest change you've ever made in your home, and you'll be thrilled with the upgrade for years to come.
What are the Three Main Types of Wood Decorative Ceiling Beams?
One of the reasons why ceiling beams are so versatile is because there are actually three different types of wood beams. If you don’t like the style of one, you have two other choices.
Classic Beams
Classic wood beams are traditional and appealing in a variety of different homes. These beams lay flat against the ceiling and create interest in the design. It’s impossible to go wrong with this type of decorative ceiling beam because it suits so many different design styles.
Classic beams are available in light and dark wood shades, and you can even paint them to match or contrast your ceiling. Faux beams are available if you need something that doesn’t sacrifice quality for weight and price. No matter the style of your home, classic decorative ceiling beams will add character to a space.
Planks
If class beams aren’t right for you, plans are another option. Plank beams are applied to ceilings and add style and character to the room. Faux plans make it easy for anyone to find and afford the look and look just as high-end as real wooden planks. They add style and create a beautiful ceiling look and are available in various types of woods and colors.
Trusses
The final option you have is adding decorative ceiling beams to the trusses. If you don't like plank or classic beams, trusses will likely suit your style.
These beams are a stylish way to create rustic elegance in your home. They fit perfectly into modern farmhouse décor but can also suit various other styles and designs. They make your home feel updated and higher-end in a simple way. They are also great if you find traditional ceiling beams boring or uninteresting.
Trusses are available in a wide variety of different styles, woods, colors, and formats. No matter what overall style you’re going for, you can customize trusses to fit that style. You have complete control over the look of the trusses and the ultimate outcome of the design. It’s possible to make trusses work for you because there are so many options.
If you're looking for a way to add interest and character to your space, you have plenty of options. Home design and décor varieties are endless, and even the most difficult to please homeowners can feel overwhelmed by the myriad selection available for today's homes.
The way to combat the feeling of not knowing where to begin with a home upgrade project is to turn to decorative ceiling beams. They are a single, simple upgrade that can completely change the look and feel of a space. They are affordable, customizable, and right for every style of home. If you are looking for the perfect addition to any space, it's time to consider decorative ceiling beams.
DIY or Hire a Professional?
Before you purchase your decorative ceiling beams and have them installed, you may wonder if it is best to make this a DIY project or hire a professional to come in and do the installation for you.
Before anything, you want to be sure that your ceilings can support the additional weight of the ceiling beams you purchase. If you don't have any experience with solid wood beams or faux beam types, you may want to hire a professional with the knowledge and tools needed to get the job done correctly.
However, if you have any experience in contracting or have done something similar before, it could be a weekend DIY project you can do, as long as you have the right tools and are familiar with the beams you are planning to install.
How to Decorate Ceiling Beams
Here are a few decorative beam ideas you can use around the home. Remember, decorative ceiling beams are a versatile option with almost endless possibilities.
Solid Wood Beam Ideas
As you hunt down the best decorative ceiling beams for your home, you will come across solid wood beam options. These tend to be more expensive and are also the heaviest option. However, they will provide you with a more authentic look in your living space.
A solid wood beam is perfect for a farmhouse look or a rustic home. Hand hewn beams made with reclaimed wood are ideal for this kind of style. You can use solid wood beams on a vaulted ceiling since it is a much bolder option.
Box Wood Look
Box wood mimics a solid wood beam and is a good alternative if you want something lighter in weight and less expensive than the previous option. You can use these decorative wood beams to hide unsightly elements in the ceiling, including wiring and plumbing. You can use them in a coffered ceiling design, and you get your choice of finish for these beams. So, you can find the best texture, color, and style to match your home's aesthetic.
Faux Wood Beam Ideas
Faux wood beams come in various styles and designs and can be made from different lightweight materials, making them an inexpensive and lightweight option for any living space. The texture and appearance of faux wood beams also mimic real wood to achieve the real wood look you want.
You can use these decorative beams on ceilings that wouldn't otherwise hold the weight of the other beams we mentioned. They are also a good choice for exterior home applications if you want to move away from just interior design.
Decorative Ceiling Beam Ideas for the Home Office
Ready to transform your office and make more of a visual statement? You can use wood beams to create an exposed beam ceiling look. You can cut your wood beams into a zigzag pattern or whatever design you want for your layout. You can then use pendant or recessed lighting to further accentuate the appeal of your wood beam installation. Exposed beams are great for dressing up an otherwise plain ceiling.
Ceiling Decor for Your Living Room
Ready to liven up your living room or other living space? You can use wood ceiling beams as ornamental molding, wall décor, and ceiling décor on your high ceiling. If you have a high ceiling but don't want to emphasize the height, wood ceiling beams can be used to lower the ceiling and give the living space a cozy appeal.
Enhance a Plain Ceiling of Normal Height
If you have a plain ceiling that is normal height but want to add some character, then use narrow wood beams that are in scale with the height and size of the room. Avoid using wood beams that are oversized or large because these can easily detract from the space in the room. You can also use painted beams to stand out against the ceiling and wall colors in the space.
Support Beam Ideas
If you have a ceiling support beam you want to hide or disguise, you can use drywall to do so. A drywall cover makes the support beam blend in seamlessly with the rest of the ceiling. You can then paint the support beam the same color as the ceiling or walls.
You can also apply flooring or wood directly to the support beam to disguise it. All you need is a piece big enough to cover, wood glue, and finishing nails. Faux tin ceiling tiles are another great choice when you want to cover existing support beams and add more style to the home.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many ways you can use various decorative wood beams to style your living space or hide and disguise a support beam without having to spend a ton of time or money to do so. And these ideas are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything you can do with wooden ceiling beams to enhance your home decor.