Decorative beams in the interior of the attic. Wooden ceiling beams: all possibilities for self-production
They use wood beams for the ceiling as a decorative detail in the interior, mainly in a rustic country style. The design of the floor affects the design of the entire room. Ceiling beams made of wood are load-bearing and hemmed. As the name implies, load-bearing elements have a load if they are assigned the function of a ceiling in a multi-storey building. At the same time, there is no distributed load on the roof beams, since they are located between the attic and the living space.
Wooden beams on the ceiling have been used in the interior of premises for a long time and now they continue to be used no less successfully. Modern methods of painting and pickling wood products allow you to create different colors and shades according to the wishes of the homeowner. The decorative wooden ceiling beams shown in the photo are installed in rooms of different purposes, since they are afraid of moisture.
Materials for wooden beams on the ceiling
Wooden ceiling beams are made from different types of wood. But mostly coniferous materials from cedar, pine, larch, spruce are used. Hardwood is used extremely rarely due to its high cost and lower strength, the only exception is oak. Materials made from it are excellent for ceiling beams, but their high cost turns out to be unacceptable for many, and it is quite difficult to make these elements from oak.
Sutured wooden beams on the ceiling, which are of considerable length and considerable thickness, usually begin to crack during drying, and they can be warped, therefore they are made from thin boards and assembled as a box.
Since ancient times, decorative beams installed on the ceiling have been decorated with carvings, painted, whitewashed, etc. After a certain time, coniferous wood acquired a beautiful color, and the resin present in it served as a preservative against decay and thereby ensured a long service life of the material.
Thick beams on the ceiling make the room higher and thus form a kind of caissons on its surface. Often these ceiling elements are used in the kitchen as a holder for dishes.
Decorative ceiling beams
To make the beams look beautiful, they are often decorated with special overlays, since natural wood elements are difficult to process. They are often made from valuable and expensive wood species. Using various woodworking techniques, the beams are given an antique look. When creating an original interior in country style, designers place them parallel to the walls, at different angles, making them crisscross.
Styles used in the design of ceilings
In addition to "country" and Victorian, the following styles are currently used for finishing ceilings:
- scandinavian;
- mediterranean;
- provence;
- eco-style.
Ceiling beams made of modern materials
Recently, designers have often given preference to artificial beams, which are made of polyurethane. In many of their characteristics, they are superior to natural wood.
Their positive qualities include:
- beautiful original texture;
- light weight;
- quick installation;
- wide range of colors;
- they are not susceptible to rotting and fungal attack.
Decorative beams made of artificial materials can have a different profile, which differs in execution:
View 1 ... U-shaped products made of MDF or chipboard. Parts are connected at right angles. Veneers made of valuable wood species are glued to them;
View 2 ... U-shaped beams are made from MDF or chipboard. Connect all parts at an angle of 45 degrees. For strength, the structure is reinforced with slats from different wood species;
View 3 ... U-shaped products made of MDF or chipboard have rounded corners. This option is great for interiors with mostly flowing lines. Corner joints in them are reinforced with a profiled rail. Beams of all three types are painted with enamels and patinated if desired.
View 4 ... Beams are made from lamellas of deciduous and coniferous trees, such as pine, ash, oak and others. These decorative products are installed when using country or Provence styles in the interior. The way they are processed is the same as in the case of natural wood.
View 5 ... The products are made of lamellas, their design is the same as for the species number 4, but the lower edges are slightly rounded. Since these beams are made from natural material, the way they are processed is like wood.
View 6 ... These products are made from solid wood. Such wooden beams on the ceiling are load-bearing and suspended. Processing is carried out as with ordinary wood.
The use of decorative beams in the interior
Decorative polyurethane beams are made in an industrial environment and therefore their appearance is standard. At the same time, all wooden products are different. But finishing the ceiling with wooden beams is made difficult by the fact that these elements are heavy and inconvenient to hem to the base floor.
Spotlights can be installed in artificial products, but in those made of natural tree species, lighting devices are installed, but this process is extremely laborious (more: ""). This requires special tools, and to prevent a fire, the material is treated with fire retardants, and these are all additional costs and, moreover, rather large ones. Beams made of artificial materials look like a hollow profile.
Installation of natural wood beams
When building a house, you must install ceiling beams. At the same time, the wood must be of high quality - dry and without rot. In no case should wet material be used, since after drying it will most likely crack and the ceiling made of wooden beams will lose its load-bearing characteristics. During installation, the ceiling structure is installed with its ends in the masonry of the walls (read also: ""). In order to in the future, if necessary, change a beam that has become unusable, it will take a lot of time and money and make a lot of effort.
Decorating ceiling beams with your own hands
Brushing wood is one of the ways to finish beams; you can do this work yourself without significant money spending.
To do this, you must have:
- finished wooden beams;
- electric drill;
- angle grinder;
- grinding attachments.
Coniferous wood lends itself best to brushing. For such work, three types of brushes are required:
- metal products - for roughing;
- synthetic products - for intermediate finishing;
- sisal products - for polishing.
If you want to amaze guests with an imitation of damage to a tree by a bark beetle, you must have the following tools and devices at hand:
- engraver;
- awl;
- engraving attachment.
With an awl, they depict the entrance of a bark beetle into a tree mass, and, using an engraver with a nozzle, draw its movement.
Drywall in a wooden house.
There are a number of nuances when the gypsum board is laid on a rough ceiling along wooden beams. Chances are high that in buildings built a long time ago, the planks are nailed. When there is no confidence in their strength, it is best to screw each board to the beams with self-tapping screws. After such attachment, they will hold securely.
A plasterboard wooden ceiling can be not only single, but also multi-level. With the help of this modern material, the configuration of the ceiling surface can take on absolutely any shape, even round. It is also possible to mount various lighting fixtures on the ceiling.
Decorative beams are a detail that is original in color and texture, which can be installed in an interior of any style. They can be made from various materials. They are interesting in that they do not represent a heavy structure, since they have only a decorative function. How to choose and install them in the interior?
Choosing a material
There are various materials that can be used to make ceiling beams. The specific choice is determined by personal preferences and style features in the house. So, you can choose decor in the style of Gothic, country, Provence or ethno. Modern trends require new finishing materials.
For high-tech style or constructivism, aluminum profiles are suitable. Polyurethane and fiberglass are suitable for any style. They make it possible to imitate natural materials and install them on your own. The tree is suitable for a classic interior. If the room already has ceilings, they can simply be decorated or painted.
Polyurethane
It is one of the lightest materials. Polyurethane ceiling beams are resistant to moisture and temperature changes... And thanks to the use of modern raw materials and new technologies, a complete resemblance to wooden structures is obtained. Modern manufacturers accurately imitate the texture of walnut, maple, cherry and oak. They are easy to install with your own hands. You can choose structures made for aged wood with potholes and chips. They can also imitate a metal surface.
Tree
It is a noble and traditional material. Wooden beams are often made from oak, alder, pine, larch or cherry. Expensive exotic species are also used, such as the meranti tree with a light pink tint. They can be not only solid, but also hollow. In the latter case, we are talking about false beams. For finishing, tinting, etching, rubbing and spraying are used. Installation to the ceiling surface is carried out using dowels or self-tapping screws... And elements of small thickness can be fixed with an adhesive.
Related article: Making a beautiful ceiling with your own hands (+50 photos)
Fiberglass
This material is used for those where a fairly large profile is needed. This is the perfect solution to mask engineering communications. Installation of individual elements is possible in such a way that the joints are invisible. For this, the ends are fastened with a special bandage set. The structure can be fixed with self-tapping screws or belts.
Aluminum
It is a light and light material. Modern design trends are inconceivable without metal elements. Aluminum is a fairly strong and lightweight material. It can be represented by false beams that play a decorative role. But they can play the role of overlap.
Styles
If you plan to use decorative beams on your ceiling, it is important to choose the right style. They should be ideally combined with everything in the house. They can be played in almost any style if you choose the right one. It can be not only false beams, but also full-fledged floors.
There are the following styles that can be preferred for decorating beams and floors:
- classic style;
- modern;
- victorian style;
- provence;
- country;
- loft;
- high tech.
Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Classic style
Classic style has a characteristic design. Wooden beams accentuate the sophisticated furnishings and flooring. This is becoming a real classic. Dark wood looks ideal on a light ceiling surface. It is important to install with care so as not to damage the material. Painting or carving will add respectability if the interior is simple enough. But you can also use polyurethane structures that imitate wood.
Modern
Modern involves the installation of false beams, painted in bright colors. Inside, you can install lighting, highlighting individual zones in the interior with light accents. Their sizes may vary depending on the size of the room. Installation will vary depending on the shape and dimensions of the elements.
Victorian style
Victorian style looks not only aristocratic, but also luxurious. For this reason, the installation of antique mahogany beams is carried out. But you can use the floors installed in the house.
Related article: Wallpaper with trees - home forest
Provence
Provence ideal for lovers of French style. Perfectly flat and white-painted false elements look good here. Such ceiling elements will be the best addition to the French style. And you can install them with your own hands, since they are very light and do not require special knowledge and complex fastening.
Loft
Loft and hi-tech especially popular today. Polyurethane beams look great in this interior. They have to imitate metal. Ideal if they complement the light ceiling and brick walls.
Country
Country style some roughness of wood finish is inherent, in which the natural structure is emphasized. The best solution would be natural wood ceiling beams. Installation can be done by hand, but you need help.
How to decorate old beams?
Installation of false beams does not require special skills and a lot of time. Almost anyone can handle installation work. But if the interior has ceilings or old beams, they can be given a well-groomed and aesthetically pleasing look. They can be painted after having putty and primed. Possibility of pasting with mirror or glass tiles, as well as decoration with ropes in a marine interior. Roof rails can be attached to the beams in the kitchen. They can be used to accommodate kitchen utensils, dishes, and spices.
If you need to mask ceiling beams or existing floors, the following surfaces can be used:
- Tensile fabric using a two-level design.
- Plasterboard ceiling, when the frame and sheets are attached not to the beam, but to the ceiling.
- The coffered structure is represented by an elegant but expensive construction in the house.
- Lining is the simplest way that you can install yourself.
Important! Ceiling beams can be completely masked if the room is high enough. Otherwise, you will remove 15-20 cm of height, which will significantly affect the height of the room and affect the perception of space.
Features of installing beams
Decorative polyurethane beams are easy to install with your own hands. The advantage of installing false structures in the interior is associated with efficiency and ease. The weight of the structure is quite small. For fastening, elements of a standard length are used, which is 3 meters. Installation requires only three wedge blocks.
Related article: Wall decor with "live" butterflies
When performing installation, you must adhere to the following sequence of actions:
- First, markings are made on the ceiling.
- Drill a hole in the wedge block with a diameter that is 2 mm less than the screws.
- Screw the blanks onto the ceiling surface, keeping a step up to a meter.
- If you are going to join elements, you need to fix the wedge in place of joining.
- The surface of the wedges is carefully treated with an adhesive.
- Then a false beam is attached. For reliability, the false beams can be additionally secured with self-tapping screws.
Attention! If you plan to hide communications behind ceiling beams, make cutouts in the bars. It is through them that wires are laid. But to ensure safety, you need to put them in corrugated pipes.
Output
Thus, decorative ceiling beams can be installed in any interior. In this case, the work can be done by hand. And if there are floors in the room, they can be decorated. But it is important to choose the right size for individual elements.
Insulated ceiling with false beams (2 videos)
Various design options for beams (40 photos)
A ceiling beam can be more than just a decoration. Its use has a number of advantages that will serve as a bonus to the original interior:
- If you decide to install a plasterboard ceiling, a beam will help hide the joints between the sheets. This will have a positive effect on the overall appearance of the coating.
- Hollow beams allow you to hide wiring, pipes and other communications in them.
- If you wish, you can use them to install additional lighting - for example, mount it directly into the yoke or turn it into a kind of frame for LED strips.
- The use of ceilings as an interior element allows you to emphasize the style of the room;
- Suspended structures such as lamps, decorations and even televisions can be attached to beams made of durable materials (stone, wood, metal).
Of course, one should not forget about the main function - the carrier, especially in private houses. However, in modern design, beams are increasingly used as a stylistic device. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with our photo selection in order to understand how the implementation of such an idea might look.
Examples of using beams in the interior
There are many design ideas for transforming a beam from a structural element into a beautiful decoration.
Straight wooden beams, contrasting in color with the ceiling, look very beautiful in a classic interior. They add monumentality to it, at the same time making the room wider.
The ceiling looks three-dimensional and embossed, and additional spotlights help enhance the effect.
Rough beams made of natural wood can be emphasized by imitation of stone on the wall - so the room will look fresh and unusual.
However, try to avoid dark overlap tones - they can appear rude.
The carrier beam is favorably emphasized by thinner perpendicular bars in contrasting colors. Light it up with spotlights for more effect.
This technique is good for both large and small rooms - it visually adds space and looks good. It is best to use it between the kitchen and the open balcony - this way you can effectively zone the premises.
By the way, it is not necessary to stick exclusively to straight lines. If the beam is used as a decorative element, and not as a supporting structure, it may well be curly.
This solution will hide the wires and just look nice. The main thing is to carefully think over the pattern so that it is in harmony with the style of the rest of the room.
As an example, we have chosen multidirectional beams radiating from a horseshoe framing the lamp - a simple but effective technique that allows you to visually expand the room.
For high-tech interiors, metal beams are suitable. They look unusual, and you can choose almost any shape. Such an airy relief beam as in the photo is more suitable for spacious rooms - it hides a lot of the height of the room.
Nice bonus: Metal is one of the strongest materials. Therefore, you can use the structure to hang chandeliers and decor items.
However, in a classic interior, metal beams can look beautiful and appropriate - the main thing is to choose laconic straight lines and a restrained shade.
In this case, it is better to choose a wooden ceiling - the contrast of the two materials looks very impressive and stylish.
It is better not to try to experiment with color - not every paint will fit well on metal, and it is quite difficult to find a successful solution.
Open ceiling beams are more suitable for living rooms and halls of a two-story house - that is, rooms where their use allows height.
Volumetric curly elements look stylish and add warmth and comfort to the room. Use them as a frame for small bulbs - the effect will be simply magical.
If you wish, you can lower a column of the same material from the ceiling - a simple yet elegant technique.
Openwork beams for concave stretch ceilings will be appropriate both in a private house and in an apartment with high walls. They look very unusual and original, while visually adding space and airiness to the room.
It is better to use contrasting tones of the same scale - warm or cold, so as not to create visual contradictions between them.
Spotlights scattered across the space between the girders will enhance this effect. This method is good for large, classic-style rooms. However, by experimenting with colors, you can find a solution for more modern types of design.
You don't have to limit yourself to standard woody shades or boring black and white. You can easily paint the beams in any color you like - or even several! However, in this case, you must follow a couple of rules:
- Make sure that the selected palette is combined with each other.
- Remember that no more than three to four basic tones should be used in a harmonious interior. Otherwise, the design will turn out to be too colorful and tiring for the eyes.
Otherwise, it all depends on your imagination!
In a private house, it is possible to construct from wooden beams ... the entire ceiling. The volumetric relief space illuminated from the inside is a rather unusual design technique. However, remember that the height of the walls must be appropriate.
As you can see, the use of beams in the modern construction world is not only a necessity, but also an elegant design technique that allows you to complement the atmosphere of almost any room.
October 22, 2016Specialization: master for interior and exterior decoration (plaster, putty, tile, drywall, lining, laminate and so on). In addition, plumbing, heating, electrical, conventional cladding and balcony extensions. That is, repairs in an apartment or house were done on a turnkey basis with all the necessary types of work.
Decorative ceiling beams made of wood are inherently fake, as they do not carry any load. These interior details are held by the consoles. They look very impressive and beautifully decorate the room, adding retro notes to the interior.
Today I will tell you how you can make and install them yourself, and also present to your attention the video in this article for a complete understanding of the process.
Making false beams
Benefits
Design features and benefits are as follows:
- first of all, wooden beams on the ceiling in the interior create a unique color and comfort, and it is definitely pleasant to be in such a room;
- they can be made for every taste, painted in any color and of any size;
- a very important advantage is that they are hollow, therefore, they represent an ideal place for laying various communications - wires, cables, pipes, and so on;
- such products are also made of polyurethane wood imitation - they are lighter and more durable. However, you are unlikely to be able to make such a profile on your own, since molds for ebb tide are needed here..
Material selection
No matter how carefully you assemble such a structure, it is important to choose the right material:
- to assemble fake wood ceiling beams yourself, any type of wood will do. Only, of course, it is necessary that all the elements are of the same breed, otherwise the texture will be different, and this does not always look good;
- the boards must be dry - if they turn out to be wet, then after a while after drying, the joining seam will become noticeable. As you know, the room is always warm, and the air rises upward, so this process will only contribute to deformation;
- it is desirable that the board be edged, of the same width and thickness, so that it is easier to make a fit.
Note. When choosing a material, you should also pay attention to the deformation of the board. If it is strongly led, then it will not work to tighten the two elements tightly, especially since there is no way to use the clamp here. Therefore, the instruction does not recommend the use of deformed wood.
Assembly
To make decorative wooden beams with your own hands, you cannot do with an ordinary hacksaw - you need a plunge-cut circular saw (hand circular). Its clamping bar can rotate, that is, it can be set at any angle.
Although in this case it would be best to set 45⁰. You will also need at least the simplest workbench where you can cut and assemble, and a couple of clamps to clamp the board during the cut to get it as accurate as possible.
So, fix the board to a workbench, set the saw blade at a 45⁰ angle, and trim the longitudinal edges at that angle. Even if the disc is new, that is, sharp, it will still leave roughness that will interfere with a tight fit, so I recommend going through the sections with coarse sandpaper.
When all three boards are ready (the lower one with two cuts, and the side ones with one), you should prepare glue (you can use PVA or any other for wood) and bars for tightening two elements.
In order for the self-tapping screw to attract the board well, drill holes in the bar for free screws. Try to keep the intersections no closer than 50 mm to each other, otherwise the bar may split.
The distance between the screws should be no more than 15-20 cm - this frequency will ensure a tight fit, therefore, the joint will not be noticeable. Now glue the sections of the boards to be joined with glue, attach them to each other, insert a block into the corner and tighten the elements with self-tapping screws. Do this not in a row, but best of all from the middle to the edges to avoid deformation.
But in order to make a wooden ceiling with beams with your own hands, you will have to make consoles for them, on which they will lean. You can choose any shape of the consoles, or just the one for which you have the skill of a carpenter.
The most popular options are shown in the top photo - you can use them, the main thing is that the width of the console coincides with the beam - it is much more beautiful this way.
Appearance
Finishing the finished profile depends on what kind of ceiling you have in the house on wooden beams, and the rest of the interior should also be taken into account. But the best way to give a cozy look is by brushing the wood.
This is an artificial aging of wood, when the top layer is removed with a metal brush and the structure of the wood appears with particular brightness. But not all wood species lend themselves well to such processing - it is best to brush Siberian larch or pine, but on alder, the surface turns out to be poorly sanded.
This type of processing can be done a little differently, for example, with an ax - tilt the ax at an angle of 20-25⁰ and make random chips in the corners and along the plane. The tool must be well sharpened, that is, sharp.
The aging effect can also be achieved by burning wood - for this you need a blowtorch or a gas nozzle. The firing should be uneven and the texture will appear with varying degrees of brightness.
There are also special paints for artificial aging, which clearly highlight the growth rings and create a cozy effect. It is quite possible to use them.
In most cases, making decorative wood beams implies that they will represent a solid wood, so the structure of the wood must be preserved. As a rule, finished profiles are stained and varnished. The stain makes them much darker, and the varnish protects against various insects, fungal mildew and moisture.
Decorative beams don't always have to be rustic. For example, if your walls are white, white plastic windows and doors are installed, then the profile should be in harmony with such an interior.
In such cases, the boards are sanded with a grinder and painted white, as in the photo above. The feel of wood remains, but the design is much more modern.
Installation work
We will now create such a structure, where we will not use consoles - the fastening will be done on bars. There is no point in installing consoles here - the presence of vertical beams cancels them. As you can see, the beams here have a different section, which gives a special charm to the interior - it turns out that one kind of comes out of the other.
I want to note right away, so as not to return to this topic later, that cuts are made at the intersections with vertical or horizontal beams. Only they need to be done with maximum accuracy in order to avoid gaps.
You can start from the corner on which the L-shaped profile is mounted and for this, the bars are first attached - their section is not important, but it is much more convenient to use a 30 × 40 mm rail. One block is screwed onto the wall with self-tapping screws, and the other - onto the ceiling.
On the ceiling, where the U-shaped profile is attached, the fixing system remains the same - you screw two to the ceiling. Just try so that you set them as accurately as possible along the inner width of the beam, and it fits tightly.
After installing the bars, a beam is put on them and fastened with finishing nails or self-tapping screws with an anti-corrosion coating. This is very convenient, since it is always possible to replace the ceiling beam in a wooden house if necessary.
The final touch is the decoration of the joints - for this you can use special belts that imitate forging. The belt itself sits on the glue (you can "Moment"), and along the edges, so that there is no lag while the glue dries, it is fixed with a stapler.
Conclusion
If you, dear readers, have any questions or suggestions for creating beams on the ceiling, write about it in the comments, I will be happy to talk about this topic. In addition, your opinion is important and interesting to me!
Beamed ceilings bring a sense of home comfort and warmth to living spaces. Regardless of whether the beams are structural features of a room or perform an exclusively decorative function, the design of such a space is transformed. A ceiling with beams made in contrasting colors 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 floors, painted in the same tone with the ceiling, will not be ignored. Due to their 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 urban or suburban type, beams are an integral part of the building structure, elements of the frame floors to support the attic or attic;
- the desire to give the interior a belonging to a certain style (for example, country, rural, eco, shabby chic or Provence are often accompanied by a similar ceiling finish);
- the ability to hide flaws in the ceiling finish - placing beams at the joints of drywall sheets significantly reduces the cost of final surface finishing;
- in hollow ceiling beams, you can mask various engineering communications - from pipes to electrical wiring lines, in the cavity of such beams, you can embed lighting elements:
- various interior elements can be attached to beams made of wood, metal or stone - from pendant lamps to TVs.
So, we have 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 conditionally divided into natural and artificial:
- wood - one of the most common, but not cheap materials for making 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 beams made of wood (for country or eco style, this type of ceiling decoration is most relevant);
- metal - beams made of steel or aluminum are often used in loft, industrial and high-tech interiors (lighting elements are often attached to such structures, but only decorative use is rare);
- polyurethane - this artificial material is able to imitate almost any surface - from wood to stone. An essential feature of polyurethane beams is their low weight. Of course, the cost of artificial finishing 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 "wood" or other materials.
The choice of material, appearance and configuration of beams in relation to the ceiling will be influenced by the following factors:
- the size of the room and the shape of the ceiling (horizontal surface or vaulted ceiling, multi-level or low room height - all these factors must be taken into account when choosing ceiling elements);
- room decoration style - classic style or ultra-modern high-tech will require a different approach in choosing ceiling beams;
- repair budget - the cost of beams can differ significantly, depending on the material of manufacture, the size and complexity of the modification of structures.
Examples of the use of ceiling beams in rooms with different functional accessories
Living rooms
It is with the living room that we most often associate the design of the ceiling with the help of beams. A spacious room for family gatherings or receiving guests 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 urban or suburban type no longer surprises our compatriots, then deciding to use this element of the interior in apartments still causes some bewilderment. Meanwhile, the use of natural material or its spectacular imitation within the living room of city apartments brings that natural warmth that is so lacking in a noisy and gas-polluted metropolis.
One of the options for decorating the ceiling in the living room of a private house is to use 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 the placement of engineering systems - ventilation and electrical wiring. Lamps can be built under wooden ceiling panels or lining, and chandeliers can be hung from the 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 effect of pressure hanging over your head.
You can also use a contrasting combination of light ceiling finishes and the use of dark wood (or its spectacular 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 and complete.
The presence of rusticity in the modern interior of the living room will not only create an 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 backdrop of the modern decor of the spacious living room, rough-hewn logs or blocks of wood 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 area - the space around the hearth is faced with large stones, as if they had not been processed.
Ceiling beams made from the same wood species as the main living room furnishings 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 at the same time organic alliance.
An example of introducing an element of constructivism in the design of a living room located in a private house.
Bedrooms
The use of ceiling beams to decorate the ceiling in the bedroom is a design technique that is not common in our country. But in European design projects, such a constructive and decorative solution can be found quite often. If the height of the ceiling in the room for sleeping and resting allows you to use decorating in the form of beams, you should not miss this opportunity. Depending on the material and color of your beams, they are able to bring structure, dynamism or the 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 completely logical design option, because all these interior elements are design features and act not as decor, but as load-bearing 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 is how most of the height of the room is hidden and it loses not only square meters, but also the feeling of spaciousness and freedom.
Ceiling beams in the bedroom can be solved in the same color as the ceiling surface, or act as a contrasting element. The beams look organically, repeating in color the natural pattern of the floor covering or pieces of 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, the white tone in the ceiling finish does not make the bedroom look heavy, even if large ceiling beams are used.
In a house built of timber, it is quite logical to see ceiling beams in the form of logs in the bedroom. The closeness to nature, some rustic atmosphere and natural color palette will certainly 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 rural style bedrooms with the active use of wood as a finishing material.
Kitchens and dining rooms
For the decoration of a small kitchen-dining room, a snow-white finish is ideal for visual expansion of the space. But in an absolutely light kitchen space, it is difficult to avoid associations with the premises of sterile hospital wards, and the color temperature in such functional segments brings coolness. Dark wood ceiling beams will help to add contrast to the light room, and hence the dynamics. The chipped and deliberately untreated surfaces of the wooden elements of the ceiling decor add not only a special flavor, but also the motives of rural life.
The kitchen, completely decorated with natural wood, involves the use of natural materials and for finishing the ceiling. When floor-to-ceiling wood fronts of kitchen cabinets meet with similar ceiling materials, a sense of endless space is created. Such a kitchen is warm and cozy.
The rustic dining room is cozy and comfortable. The abundant use of natural wood creates an incredibly warm atmosphere for both family dining and receptions with refreshments. In this case, wooden beams on the ceiling play an important role in shaping the character of the room, in which everyone will feel comfortable.
An example of using ceiling beams to decorate the ceiling of a dining room located in a semicircular bay window.
Large logs as a ceiling decor will help to bring a little rusticity to the traditional style of kitchen decoration. Roughly hewn ceiling beams will look contrasting not only in color, but also in texture. But many interiors lack just such a "shake-up", originality.
Stone finishes and wood furnishings often go hand in hand in kitchens and dining rooms. Rarely is the use of stone decoration for the hearth, kitchen backsplash, 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.
Metal-painted ceiling beams will perfectly match the steel sheen of the surfaces of household appliances or worktops made of steel.
Bathrooms
It is not just difficult, but almost impossible to meet ceiling beams in the design of a bathroom in a Russian apartment. Especially when it comes to apartment buildings built in the last century, where there are few square meters and the ceilings are low. But in the modern private houses of our compatriots, considerable areas are allocated for utilitarian premises, and the ceiling height is enviable. In such spaces, you can not limit yourself in the choice of style and motives for its manifestation.
Many homeowners feel that wood has no place in the bathroom due to its poor water repellency. But there are two ways to solve this problem - first of all, you can use various antiseptic sprays that treat 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 motives into the interior of the bathroom are possible only if there is forced ventilation in the room.
Hollow ceiling beams in bathrooms can be used to embed lighting systems. Thus, you can not only transform the appearance of a utilitarian room, but also create a safer environment by isolating electrical appliances from moisture.
Hallways and other auxiliary rooms
If the space of a private house is decorated with ceiling beams, then it would be logical to use this design element not only in the main rooms, such as the living room or bedroom, but also to decorate auxiliary rooms - hallways, laundries, wine cellars and even corridors.
Examples of the use of ceiling beams when decorating the space of an office or library.
It is difficult to imagine the design of a bath or home sauna without the use of natural wood, and therefore the use of such a constructive and decorative interior element as floor beams. As a rule, steam rooms are very modest rooms 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 rest rooms in front of the steam rooms are excellent for using ceiling beams.
Beams on the ceiling in interiors with different stylistic design
Country style
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 a design of premises that are in harmony with the surrounding nature. A slight negligence in the design of the premises allows you to create an atmosphere in which you can truly relax and enjoy every minute of your stay in a comfortable and convenient environment.
Marine stylistics
If the dining room or kitchen is decorated in a nautical style (perhaps three functional areas, not excluding the living room, connected in one space through an open plan), then the use of ceiling beams to create a warm and cozy atmosphere is very common. In the design of nautical-style rooms, cold colors often prevail - all shades of blue, the active use of white. Elements made of wood with an intact natural pattern will help bring a little warmth to the original interior of the premises. The warm woody shades of natural wood beams will look great on a crisp white ceiling.
An example of a bedroom in a nautical style using a complex structure of beamed ceilings. In the light and even airy image of the room for sleeping and resting, the complex composition of ceiling beams with dark fasteners becomes the focal center of the space that attracts all the attention.
Loft style or industrial style options
When using industrial stylistics in the interior of premises, the following design techniques are most often used - open communications, ceilings and other ceilings, large spaces and open planning. Metal products are most often used as structures for floors and beams. The loft style makes no exception, even for personal spaces such as the bedroom.
Tropical style
When decorating rooms in a tropical style, you can often find the use of a contrasting combination of a light ceiling and walls with colorful and even bright wood elements to create edging surfaces, dividing them into sections. Often fabric or mats are inserted into such sections (bamboo is also possible). The resulting interior is never boring or trivial.
Classics and neoclassics
Modern classics no longer look as pompous as at the inception of the style, the rooms retain a sense of spaciousness even when using luxurious solid wood furniture with carvings and decor. Neoclassicism presupposes a more relaxed approach to interior decoration - expensive wallpaper with gilded embossing or abundant stucco moldings for ceiling decoration are rarely used. For example, in a bedroom with a large luxurious bed, actively decorated with carvings, the ceiling may well be decorated using beams of natural shades that are simple and laconic in shape and texture.
A classic-style bedroom with a fireplace and a snow-white ceiling with neat beams looks luxurious, but at the same time cozy.
Chalet Style
The stylistics that came to us from southeastern France are known for their commitment to the use of natural materials. The style, which was formed in the difficult climate of mountain settlements, presupposes the strength and stability of structures that can serve more than one generation of the family. For the decoration of country dwellings, not necessarily located in ski resorts, wealthy homeowners often use, if not all the motives of the Chalet style, then some elements of this style close to nature. The decoration of the ceiling always gives out the belonging of the room to the style of the Chalet - 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 "weaving" of beams or logs.
Modern style
Ceiling beams made of polyurethane perfectly fit into the decoration of a room decorated in a modern style. Small hollow beams are suitable for decorating the ceiling, both in private houses and apartments. A living room or bedroom with a simple finish, laconic and functional furnishings and a minimum of decor will be transformed using wood beams.
Minimalism style
When decorating rooms in a minimalist style, you can find the use of ceiling beams to give the interior a touch of home warmth and coziness, because spaces decorated with a minimum amount of furniture and a complete lack of decor can look like public spaces. There are no associations with an office space in the bedroom space, but using even a pair of beams to decorate the ceiling will bring warmth to the design of the room for sleeping and relaxing.
