Are 8 foot ceilings too low?

In an effort to stem heating/cooling costs, houses were constructed with less interior space by shortening ceilings. Home insulation and heating/cooling systems have vastly improved since then, and eight-foot ceilings are now considered outmoded.

Are 8-foot ceilings considered low?

Today, however, not uncommonly, most ceilings are 9 or even 10 feet in height. As a result, many people view 8-foot ceilings as being relatively low, but 8-foot ceilings come with plenty of advantages as high ceilings aren't for everyone and often present their own issues.

What is considered a low ceiling height?

What Is Considered Low Ceiling Height? For residential rooms such as bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hallways, or offices, anything less than eight feet is low. A seven-foot-high ceiling makes the space feel cramped and crowded.

How can I make my 8-foot ceiling look higher?

Are 8-foot ceilings normal?

Somehow, somewhere, the 8-foot ceiling got a bad rap. It is likely the most common ceiling height in the nation, proliferated by post-war production housing sprawling through the suburbs of all 50 states.

Ceiling Height Considerations

What is the ideal ceiling height?

The standard ceiling height is around 10 ft for different types of buildings and the average ceiling height for a residential building should be at least 9 ft. 6 inches for any habitable room.

How do I make my house feel bigger with low ceilings?

Can you put beams on an 8-foot ceiling?

Choosing The Right Size

The bigger the room and the higher the ceiling, the wider and deeper the beams. In rooms with 8 or 9-foot ceilings, beams that are about 5 inches wide and 3 inches or so deep are typical.” These beams can also be used to cover pre-existing beams in homes if they are narrow enough.

How tall should baseboards be with 8ft ceilings?

A general rule of thumb for your baseboards is the 7 percent rule — they should equal 7 percent of the overall height of your room. So, if you have 8-foot ceilings, your baseboards will look best at around 7 inches high.

Are 7 foot ceilings too low?

Lots of people think 8 feet is the minimum ceiling height because that's a common height in most homes, but it's actually 7 feet according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z765). Technically ANSI says it's okay to have a ceiling height at 6'4″ under beams though.

Are low ceilings a deal breaker?

Having a standard ceiling is not a deal breaker by far. Most homes still have them. However, there is great demand for higher ceilings today, and anything a seller can do to accentuate those qualities can only help in getting a good sales price in a short about of time.

What can I do with a low ceiling room?

Can you put a ceiling fan on an 8 foot ceiling?

In order for a fan to be considered to be OK to use on an 8 foot ceiling, the bottom of the blades of the fan must be 7 feet off the floor when the fan is installed. The fan bodies themselves may extend slightly below the blades but will not affect the fan's ability to be mounted on an 8 foot ceiling.

Why do some homes have low ceilings?

Homes built before the advent of efficient heating systems and proper insulation often used fireplaces both as a source of heat and a place to cook. Lower ceilings and smaller rooms were much easier to heat with fireplaces, therefore many period farmhouses were built with a seven-foot or so ceiling height.

Why do American homes have low ceilings?

In those days, most houses were utilitarian structures and homebuilders knew that lower ceilings meant less space to heat in winter and, therefore, less wood chopping to fit into a day already bursting with physical activity.

Can low ceilings be raised?

In an existing home, however, raising the ceiling in the living room, or anywhere else, is a complicated process. Yes, it's doable, but if it involves changing the roof structure, a structural engineer is necessary.

Is crown molding good for low ceilings?

Generally speaking, a low ceiling requires a thin, simple crown molding, while a high ceiling requires a broad and fully entablature crown to make a visual impact in the room.

Can baseboards be too high?

When choosing the baseboards for your home, you must stick to the measurement recommendations for the height of your ceiling. Overly tall baseboards can shorten a room while short baseboards can get lost in a room with tall ceilings. If a replacement is not an option, allow your creativity to flow by adding layers.

What is the most popular baseboard height?

Here is a great rule of thumb: A standard 8-foot wall typically has a baseboard 3 to 5 inches tall, while a 10-foot ceiling calls for 5 to 7 inches. As a designer, I love adding height for drama. And the taller baseboards create a modern yet elegant finished look.

Do ceiling beams add value to your home?

exposed beams do not add value. Only a capital improvement can add value. But if the exposed beams create an abundance of desirability then it could create enough interest to get a higher sales price.

How high do ceilings need to be for beams?

If you intend to install horizontal beams on a flat ceiling, make sure they won't compromise headroom. Many local codes limit headroom to a minimum of 7'6” above the floor, so the bottom of your new faux beams should remain above that height.

Do ceiling beams make room look larger?

Exposed ceiling beams can take an ordinary room and make it remarkable. They draw the eye up, making the space feel larger, and make a big design splash without taking up any square footage.

Can you fix low ceilings?

Absolutely. All you have to do is reduce the depth of the beam or timber and you can have a similar result. On an 8′ ceiling, we can drop a 6″ beam, and put crown molding around it. There, we're careful to use a smaller crown so we're only expressing 3″ of beam.

Do dark floors make ceilings look higher?

Choose Dark Flooring

Unless the room is also small, going with dark flooring can actually draw the eye away from the low ceiling. Why not go with an espresso stained hardwood or a Brazilian Walnut?

What color is best for low ceilings?

In order to give low ceilings some height, we advise painting them in light shades. Radiant white, soft cream or delicate pastel hues are best suited for low ceilings, as they open up the room visually, reflect the light better, and make the ceiling appear further away.