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In many homes around the world, seeing wood ceiling beams is just a part of life.
Ceiling beams help keep a house erect and also are the main part of most houses’ support grids.
If you go to places like Britain, Germany, or Austria, the chances are that you also might notice how people get very creative in the ways they incorporate their ceiling beams into their home’s decor.
A little inspiration can go a long way, especially when you’re working with wood ceilings.
The way you can dress up beams might surprise you. Take a look at these cool ways people made it work for them.
1. Library Chic
In the Victorian era, libraries were often marked by elegant wooden structures, especially in the ceilings.
It used to be that ceiling beams would have molding placed on them and even work as a grid to the ceiling’s top. Here, we see that concept in action.
Though it’s old-fashioned, it’s remarkably gorgeous and works in that bookish, country club way. If you have a historic home, this is a great pick.
2. Modern Meets Traditional
Below this ceiling is a fairly modern, open kitchen with gorgeous white fixtures. It’s what anyone would expect.
The designer had another idea coming when they looked at the ceiling.
To add a little boldness and color to the kitchen layout, they stained the ceiling beams with a rich, almost orangey color.
They made lighter additions throughout the ceiling area using birch or white oak stain to add contrast.
This works well with stainless steel appliances and displayed utensils.
3. Arching Beams
If you have a spa or an indoor pool, then this is one ceiling design you should definitely consider.
The ceiling is composed of rich, warm wooden beams, which create a visually appealing arch that runs the length of the room.
These beams, with their natural wood tones, add a rustic and inviting ambiance to the space.
The walls are lined with large windows, allowing ample natural light to flood the area and highlight the beauty of the wood.
The pool itself is surrounded by a tiled deck, complementing the overall aesthetic and providing a serene retreat-like atmosphere.
4. Stark Contrast
The ceiling pictured above is adorned with dark wooden beams, creating an intricate pattern that adds depth and warmth to the room.
These beams, rich in color, provide a striking contrast to the lighter wood used for the floor and the furniture.
The open layout includes a cozy sitting area with floral and plaid upholstered furniture, leading into a dining area and kitchen.
Large windows allow natural light to flood the space, highlighting the natural beauty of the wooden interior and the elegant, wrought iron chandelier that adds a touch of sophistication.
5. Loft Space with Vaulted Ceiling
This image features a modern loft space with a high, vaulted ceiling, accentuated by exposed beams painted in a soft white.
The beams create a clean, linear pattern that enhances the room’s airy and open feel.
The large, circular window is a striking focal point, allowing natural light to flood the space and highlighting the texture of the exposed brick wall behind it.
The overall color scheme of white and light grey contributes to the bright and serene ambiance.
The furnishings, including a brown leather sofa, a hanging hammock chair, and contemporary lighting fixtures, blend seamlessly with the architectural elements, creating a stylish and inviting atmosphere.
6. Iron Glory
This room took a more industrial look to wooden support beams by accenting them with iron.
The brick wall and concrete accents make a huge impact on how pretty this room looks, but that’s not all we got to enjoy.
The designer actually went so far as to highlight the beams by adding lighting to the room’s center that points up to the beams!
7. Classic Cabin Style
While many cabins try to downplay the support beams, the designer decided to play things up.
This cabin maker didn’t just make the architecture involve a lot of support beams but used it as a shelf for a variety of woodsy decorations.
This might be a little more extreme than most, but we definitely can all appreciate this cabin’s lumberjack style.
8. A Modern Pergola
A modern pergola with a striking design, highlighted by its rich, dark wooden beams.
The beams form a clean, linear pattern, creating a visually appealing lattice structure.
A unique element of this pergola is the intricate panel embedded in the ceiling, adorned with various circular and linear cutouts that allow light to filter through, casting playful shadows.
The contrast between the dark wood and the bright sky enhances the pergola’s contemporary aesthetic.
The surrounding area includes a glimpse of a fence and greenery, indicating an outdoor setting that combines style and functionality, providing both shade and an artistic touch to the space.
9. White Beams in a Grand Interior
This image showcases a grand and elegant interior space characterized by its high, vaulted ceiling with exposed beams painted in a soft white, creating an airy and open atmosphere.
The room features polished, rich wooden floors that exude warmth and sophistication.
Large arched doorways and windows add a classical touch, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
The room is adorned with lush, tall floral arrangements, further elevating the refined and inviting ambiance.
10. Dark Blue Beams
This image features a modern kitchen with a striking ceiling design that commands attention.
The ceiling is adorned with prominent, dark blue beams that stand out against the lighter, curved arches of the ceiling itself.
These beams create a bold, linear pattern that adds depth and character to the space.
The contrast between the dark beams and the white ceiling enhances the architectural interest, drawing the eye upward and providing a dramatic backdrop to the kitchen below.
11. Rough Rustic Texture
This image showcases a beautifully designed living space with a distinctive ceiling featuring exposed wooden beams.
These beams are crafted from rough-hewn timber, showcasing natural textures and grain that add a rustic, earthy charm to the room.
The beams run horizontally across the ceiling, creating a sense of depth and structure.
The contrast between the dark, weathered wood of the beams and the smooth white surface of the ceiling panels in between enhances the visual appeal, drawing the eye upward.
12. Exposed Beams and Bricks
This image captures a cozy and inviting kitchen bar area with a warm, rustic ambiance.
The ceiling is adorned with exposed wooden beams that run horizontally, adding depth and a touch of traditional charm to the space.
These beams, with their rich, natural wood tones, complement the wooden cabinetry and bar stools below, creating a cohesive and harmonious design.
The exposed brick backsplash adds a further rustic element, tying in seamlessly with the wooden features and contributing to the kitchen’s cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
13. Framing It Right
Ceiling beams are typically accents to the ceiling. However, there are other ways to make beams work for your home.
In this case, a ceiling beam is used to divide the living room, kitchen, and bar area.
The ceiling beam is used to create a gorgeous barrier and divider between the two open layout rooms.
14. Geometric Glam
This image captures a stunning living and dining area with a panoramic view of a serene lake and mountains through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.
The ceiling is a focal point with its beautifully crafted wooden beams.
These beams, made from warm-toned wood, create a striking visual contrast against the lighter ceiling and walls.
The beams form a series of intricate patterns, enhancing the architectural depth and drawing the eye upward.
Their natural finish adds a touch of rustic elegance, perfectly complementing the modern decor of the room.
15. Beams in Decorative Pattern
This image showcases a beautifully designed hallway featuring a striking ceiling with exposed wooden beams.
These beams are arranged in a decorative pattern, forming a series of triangles that draw the eye upward, emphasizing the height and structure of the space.
The warm, natural wood tones of the beams contrast beautifully with the white ceiling panels in between, creating a harmonious balance.
The beams also complement the rustic and elegant decor of the hallway, which includes patterned wallpaper, a classic rug, and a wooden console table.
The chandelier hanging from the ceiling beams adds a touch of sophistication, casting a warm glow that enhances the inviting ambiance of the hallway.
16. Dual Colors
Sophisticated interior space featuring a ceiling with bold, dark-colored beams.
The beams are painted in a rich, dark hue that contrasts sharply with the white ceiling panels in between, enhancing the overall visual appeal.
The beams are substantial and sleek, giving the ceiling a modern yet classic look.
The interplay between the dark beams and the light ceiling creates a sense of dimension and elegance, making the ceiling a focal point of the room.
17. Functional Wood Beams
This image showcases a stylish and cozy living space with a ceiling that features exposed wooden beams.
These beams are robust and dark-toned, adding a rustic charm to the room.
They run horizontally and support an array of hanging Edison bulbs, which provide warm, ambient lighting.
The rough texture and rich color of the beams contrast beautifully with the modern fixtures and the soft furnishings below.
The beams not only serve a functional purpose but also contribute significantly to the room’s industrial-chic aesthetic.
Final Thoughts
Let ceiling beams steal the spotlight or accentuate your room’s look with accent colors in the beam work.
Either way, you’ll find that a little creativity goes a long way toward supporting your home’s style.
