Decorate A Long Narrow Room With A Sloping Ceiling

The right paint color can create an optical disappearing act.

A long, narrow room with a sloping ceiling can be a difficult space to decorate. A ceiling that starts high and dips low across the room makes the space appear smaller and closed-in. However, there are a few decorating tricks you can use to make the narrow room appear more spacious and the ceiling higher. The right wall color, careful selection and placement of furniture and dramatic lighting can transform the space into a cozy and inviting room.

Instructions

1. Paint the walls of the room a pastel or neutral color to make them appear larger and more open. Cool blues, soft greens, pale yellows, creams and off-whites are appropriate colors to use on the walls. Create a monochromatic theme by painting all the walls the same color, as opposed to painting one darker than the rest. Paint the ceiling a shade slightly lighter than the walls to create the illusion of height.

2. Choose low-profile pieces of furniture against the walls to open up the center of the room. Position the largest piece of furniture, such as a bed, entertainment center or sectional, under the sloped ceiling to create a focal point. Arrange a tall, narrow shelf or floor lamp near it to create the illusion of height.

3. Position a dresser or seating arrangements against the opposite wall. Place a chair near the window. Add a small table near the seating arrangement to provide space for collectibles. Avoid cluttering the narrow room with too much furniture. Ensure that no piece blocks a door or window.

4. Hang lightweight, sheer curtains from the windows in the same color as the walls. If the windows are small, mount the curtain rods at ceiling level and use long curtains that reach to the floor to create the illusion of height.

5. Decorate the tallest wall with striking artwork, such as a framed portrait or painting. The colors in the item should blend with the walls to create a cohesive style. Mount a horizontal mirror on the smallest wall to add depth to the room. Decorate a side wall with a series of vertical frames or mirror panels that draw the eye up. Make sure the lower ends of the panels are aligned.

6. Mount small wall sconces on either side of the artwork and on the other walls to throw light upward, making the ceiling appear taller than it is. Place a lamp on a table to illuminate the area.

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