Decorating A Dining Room With An Octagon Ceiling

Use small lights like these grouped together in the center of the octagon.

Octagon ceilings are unusual architectural features. Decorating these features shouldn’t present a chore, however. By working with the rest of the d cor in the dining room, your octagon-shaped ceiling can be a conversation starter.

Instructions

Formal D cor

1. Use a formal wooden dining table and chairs. Avoid too much ornate carving, as that will detract from the ceiling.

2. Paint the walls in a terra cotta or ocher color. Choose an eggshell or satin finish for the best results.

3. Hang a brown crystal chandelier in the center of the octagon. Opt for tinted crystals to emphasize the color scheme. Choose tinted light bulbs to avoid overly bright lights and deep shadows.

4. Install ornate crown molding around the perimeter of the octagon. Attach the crown molding to the existing ceiling with finishing nails or heavy duty construction adhesive. The crown molding will instantly draw visitors' eyes upward.

Informal D cor

5. Choose a glass table or funky mosaic tile top table. Opt for metal chairs with lively chair cushions.

6. Paint walls with a pale color, such as antique white, lilac or pale yellow in an eggshell or satin finish to help open the room up. Use a paint roller with a quarter-inch nap to paint.

7. Hide lighting by using lights that stay close to the ceiling. Many of these types of lights will have small bulbs. Keep the majority of the light grouped together in the center of the octagon.

8. Outline the interior of your octagon ceiling with a color that contrasts with the rest of your dining room color scheme. For example, a deep burgundy or bright yellow will accent the octagon perfectly.

Tags: center octagon, crown molding, ceiling with, color scheme, eggshell satin, eggshell satin finish, grouped together