Advertisement
Ceilings are an important part of any home but some of them really lack the right dimension and texture. Usually, they have a plain painted surface that can easily be customized by adding some architectural design. A coffered ceiling, for example, is one of the best choices to go ahead with.
Their initial role was to make the ceilings lightered but they have evolved a lot into a more design element that brings interest to a room. The coffered ceiling dates back to 7BC in San Giuliano Italy but we also find it in Chinese architecture. So, we can consider the fact that it has been quite used in our history and is still a great choice.
What Is A Coffered Ceiling?
Image source: HW Interiors
Coffer stands for any sunken panel that is being used in-ceiling design. The origins are from the Greek word kophinos that translated stands for “basket” and the old French coffre that means “chest” or “box”. These panels are great if you want to put them in a grid pattern. You can give them different shapes from squares to octagons or circles.
Image source: Coats Homes
Coffered ceilings were a necessity because they provided acoustic effects that soften and absorbed the sounds together with some additional insulation. In our present days, a coffered ceiling is more used as a normal ornament but you will still find homes that take advantage of its acoustic effects.
Image source: Haus Interior Design
You can also create a coffered ceiling in different architectural styles. Clean, modern and minimal are some of the choices that you can go ahead with. Coffered ceiling ideas are a perfect way to create the illusion of more space in a room. They are also pretty good to introduce texture and architectural elements to a large, plain ceiling.
Most of its designs can be customized according to the homeowner’s desire. It can usually be made from different wood and it is simply going to look great in any room that you want to put it in. It’s also great in terms of value because it increases the price of your property.
Benefits of using a Coffered Ceiling
Coffered Ceilings Create an Illusion of Space
Image source: Collins Builders
Rooms that have a lower ceiling feel smaller and can lack light. If you go for exposed ceilings you get the other effect, the rooms start to look larger. The coffered ceiling is the one to go with if you want to create the feeling of space in a room, even more, when narrow beams are installed closer to the ceiling.
So, as you can see it’s a perfect solution if you want to increase the grandeur of any room that you have.
Coffered Ceilings Absorb Sound
Image source: Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.
These types of ceilings also have the benefit of absorbing excess echoes and coffered ceilings have sound-attenuating properties that help them reduce any kind of unwanted sounds. It’s great because it makes the room a more relaxed one to stay in.
This type of ceilings is a lot of the time seen in libraries but as its popularity is growing more and more homes have it in their kitchen.
Coffered Ceilings Offer Aesthetic Appeal
Image source: Accent Haus
Coffered ceilings can bring a lot of elegance and aesthetic appeal to any room or space. If you want to add drama and make a bold statement in your own space then this type should be the one that you go with.
Coffered ceilings can bring a lot of elegance to a room and if you pay attention to other design elements for sure you will be really happy with the final version.
Coffered Ceilings Disguise Architectural Mistakes
You can hide mistakes in architectural engineering where one beam can be necessary but others were made just for the visual aspect. Coffers are also a great option if you want to hide some existing ceiling that had design flaws.
Styles of coffered ceilings
Image source: PROjECT interiors + Aimee Wertepny
A coffered ceiling can be made out of simple drywall. They look clean and modern and if you want to go for a more special look you can always add color and details. In order to have this type of option, you need different materials to create. Depending on the size of your room you will also know how much material you need so you can have an approximate cost of the process.
Both the size and depth of the coffer will bring the overall style. A shallow coffer is usually a 2″ deep panel and a really deep one needs a 4″ panel. Finding out the price of the installation for a coffered ceiling depends on the complexity of the work. Any ornament or details that you want to add for sure are going to increase the final price.
One of the biggest benefits of coffered ceilings is their versatility, you can adapt them to any kind of architectural style or theme. The most popular ones are:
- Clean & Modern: A coffered ceiling style that features a minimalistic pattern of beams
- Traditional ceiling style that features a square or rectangular grid
- Different shapes that have geometric patterns
- Rustic Coffered ceiling that features usually a square or rectangular grid of wood beams
8 Coffered Ceiling Design Ideas
Patterned coffered ceiling
Image source: Rosewood Custom Builders
This can be an idea for your home design that can bring exactly the choice you were looking for. A lot of the traditional homes are popular because they have a cool architectural style with many details, patterns, and depiction in the woodwork.
Faux Beams
Image source: AMW Design Studio
A coffered ceiling can be made out of unfinished wood that looks great in a rustic-style kitchen. It is perfect to use in an old barn that has been cleaned and that can bring more details to the rustic kitchen. Faux wood beams can also be used easily but are a lot easier to be installed.
A Ceiling with Coffers in a Contrasting Color to The Beams
Image source: Angela Otten – Inspire Kitchen Design Studio
If you want to keep the color of your coffers probably the best way to go with it is to use a vibrant hue.
Coffered Ceiling Box and Molding
Image source: Accent Haus
Having a coffered ceiling box means you get a dimensional finish that looks just great together with a new personality for your entire home. If you want to change your home vibes with us you can do that, bring more personality to all of your rooms and see the change happening.
A Geometry Inspired All Wood Star Shaped Coffered Ceiling
Image source: Atlanta Homes
If you want your ceiling to be the main point of attraction to your guest then you need to for this kind of version.
Coffered Ceiling With Small Panels and Thick Beams
Image source: Gabriel Builders Inc.
This is a very high coffered ceiling that has small panels and thick beams that really look good. It is simple and doesn’t have too much ornamentation and it will work well with a wide-open living room for example.
Beamed Ceilings With Molding
Image source: Wayne Windham Architect, P.A.
This type of coffer ceiling used to be found only in libraries or home offices. In current days this style of ceiling is starting to be used in different rooms and it is gaining more and more popularity. You can easily install your own coffered ceiling if you plan it right and choose the materials that will fit your space.
Coffered Ceiling With Rich Wood Tones
Image source: CustomMade.com
This is a great coffered ceiling that has rich wood tones through and through. It is an amazing ceiling for a rustic style and if you go for natural tones you will be really happy with it.
A Glamorous Mirrored Coffered Ceiling
Let’s go and talk about a next-level coffered ceiling. This one has mirrored coffers that will make your dining room look like it was inspired by Hollywood.
What is the Cost of Coffered Ceiling?
Image source: Clark Gaynor Interiors
Coffered ceilings don’t look cheap at all and this is because they aren’t. However, they do pay back quite great in aesthetic appeal and bring a touch of elegance to any room. The total cost depends on a lot of things like the material used, the size of the room but usually the price is around $25 per square foot.
If you go for a basic ceiling of 100 square feet the total cost might be around $2,500. The installation costs are quite high because you need a specialist to do it. The prices you just saw are for basic work performed. Don’t forget to include in your calculations the specialist costs, premium materials if you go for them and project supervision for your coffered ceiling.
If you liked this article about coffered ceiling ideas, you should check out these as well:
- Vaulted Ceiling Living Room Design Ideas
- High Ceiling Rooms And Decorative Ideas For Them
- Living Room Curtain Ideas: Inspiring Drapes That You Can Use