How to Decorate High Walls with a Cathedral Ceiling

Last Updated: November 15, 2022 References

Homes with tall, cathedral ceilings are highly sought-after, and for good reason. They make a room feel bigger and can bring in lots of natural light with huge windows. However, they can also be intimidating spaces to decorate. First and foremost, choose a paint color that complements your high walls. Then, choose artwork, sculptures, or textiles that fit in with your decor style and fit well on the wall. Or, draw attention to the height of the ceilings by introducing elements like a skylight, chandelier, or drapes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Painting the Wall

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Paint the wall white to make the room look bright and airy. To make the ceilings look even taller and bring more light into the room, paint the wall white. Use white paint on the whole room to make it look even more open and bring more light in. Go for white paint for a clean, simple design choice.^{[1]
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- A white wall is a blank canvas and can make any artwork or decor stand out more.
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Make the wall pop by painting it a signature color. A color that fits in with your general decor theme is a great way to make a statement with your high walls. Try painting just one tall wall to make the accent color stand out. If you want a more understated look, try a neutral color like beige, gray, or even a light blue. To make more of an impact, try red or navy.^{[2]
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- Think about the furniture and decor in the room when deciding on an accent color for the wall. For example, if you are going for a beachy decor, try a light, neutral color. If you are using warm, natural textures like wood, go for a deep red or blue.
- In general, cool colors like blue will make your wall look even taller, while warm colors like red will make the wall look smaller.
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Go for a dramatic look with dark paint on your wall. You can make a statement without much decoration just by painting your high walls a dark color. Try navy, charcoal, or even black for your high wall for an unexpected look. This can be overwhelming if you use the same dark color on all the walls, so consider painting an accent wall instead.^{[3]
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- If you don't want your whole wall to be dark, consider a 2-tone solution with the lower half painted white and the upper half of the wall painted in a dark color. Use wooden trim to separate the 2 colors.
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Paint an abstract mural or use wallpaper to take up the whole wall. A unique wallpaper with a large-scale print can bring an element of whimsy to your high walls. Or, if you feel confident in your painting skills, you can paint an abstract mural on one wall to have your own art installation at home.^{[4]
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- If you go for this option, make the paint or wallpaper the central focus of the wall, and don't add anything on top of it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Adding Art to the Wall

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Hang a piece of vertical art to take up most of the wall. A single piece of vertical artwork can be the perfect fit for a tall wall, especially one with windows. Look for a striking piece of art that takes up most of the wall to draw attention to the high ceilings.^{[5]
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- When choosing artwork for your home, first and foremost look for pieces that speak to you. You will look at this art every day, so pick something that you love and that feels personal.
- Keep all your interior decorations, such as art, photos, and mirrors, below your first level windows, creating a more enveloping and cozy environment.
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Place a large piece of horizontal art on the wall for a focal point. A piece of artwork doesn't have to take up the whole wall in order to have impact. If you have a large piece of horizontal artwork that fits well on the wall, use it as the focal point of the wall. A large piece of horizontal art will balance out the emptiness of a room without being too overwhelming.^{[6]
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- Hang paintings at eye level, if possible.
- Avoid hanging lots of smaller pieces of art, as this can make a large wall look cluttered.
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Mount a contemporary art installation to take up the whole wall. Three-dimensional pieces such as sculptures mounted on the wall can add texture and interest to a wall. A multi-piece installation can add interest and take up a large portion of the wall.^{[7]
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- You can look for an abstract wall sculpture for a contemporary look, or a sculpture of something like tree branches or antlers to bring a bit of the natural world inside.
- Alternatively, you can display a collection of something on the wall. Antique plates or masks make a striking display.
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Add richness by hanging textiles on the wall. Textiles are both unexpected and chic on a tall wall. Go for a large-scale woven piece with dominant colors that match your decor decisions, or something bright and colorful that stands out.^{[8]
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- Depending on how big your wall is, you could even hang two or more pieces side-by-side for a larger display.
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Build a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf into your wall. A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf can be a significant investment in time and money, but it can make for a striking display, especially if you have plenty of books to fill it. You can also display items like pottery, photos, and artwork on built-in shelves.^{[9]
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- Add a library ladder to reach the books on the top shelves.
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Use stone to turn a wall into a work of art. Natural stone can bring lots of texture and even warmth into a room. Install rows of stone using cement board and mortar. Alternatively, you can look for faux-stone veneers, which are lighter and easier to install.^{[10]
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- Alternatively, use brick to line a wall to create a cozy interior.
- For a more subtle look, try creating a shiplap, or wood planked, accent wall.
7
Hang a decorative mirror to bring in more light. Adding a large mirror will not only bring more light into your room, it will also make the room look even bigger. Look for a plain, rectangular or circular mirror for a subtle option, or find a sculptural or antique mirror that reflects your personality.^{[11]
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- Consider the color of the mirror's frame when you are looking at options. While many mirrors have black or metallic frames that can match most decor, you can add even more personality by looking for a frame with an unexpected color, such as red.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Focusing on the Ceiling

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Add a dramatic light fixture. A large light fixture like a chandelier can be a design element as well as a functional piece in your home. A light fixture will bring more light into your space and draw the eyes upwards.^{[12]
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- If a traditional chandelier isn't your style, try looking for a contemporary chandelier or another oversized, hanging light fixture.
- Bring your light fixtures down to around 9ft-10ft. There's no reason to have to strain your neck to look up.
2
Paint the ceiling an unexpected color. In order to pull off this look, keep the walls painted white. Then, choose a dark or bold color for the ceiling, such as dark gray.^{[13]
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- White ceilings make rooms look taller. This can make rooms with high walls seem uninviting. Painting the ceiling can make a high-walled room more warm and welcoming.
- For an even more dramatic look, go for a metallic color like gold or silver.
- If your ceiling has exposed wood or beams, leave them bare to bring natural wood tones into the room.
3
Install skylights to show off the ceiling. Skylights bring lots of natural sunshine to a room and make it feel more open. They also accentuate the height of your ceilings.^{[14]
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- Skylights aren't only for sunny and tropical homes. Adding a skylight in a rainy or cold environment can help you take advantage of natural light even when the weather is less than ideal.
4
Hang white drapes from the ceiling. For a room that has lots of windows, consider hanging gauzy white drapes that hang from the ceiling all the way to the floor across an entire wall. These will still let the light in while adding texture and interest to your wall.^{[15]
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- This can be a useful solution for walls that are mostly taken up by windows.
- You can also go for another color or pattern to make the drapes into a statement piece themselves.
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Add texture to the ceiling with wood. Too bring an unexpected element to the room, try adding texture to the ceiling. Wood panels can bring warmth and color to a room with tall ceilings.^{[16]
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- Alternatively, you can try adding stucco texture for a more subtle look.
- For a more ornate project, try creating a Victorian-style medallion out of textured paint or paint mixed with drywall.^{[17]
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