Decorations To Make A Living Room With A Popcorn Ceiling Look Better

A bold area rug can draw the eye away from a popcorn ceiling.

Popcorn ceilings, which consist of a spray-on texture, can create a dated look in your living room. When you cannot alter the ceiling, the right decor options can help the ceiling become less of an eyesore. As you decorate, choose elements that will minimize the impact of the ceiling and create a beautiful, livable space.

Low, Soft Lighting

Ceiling lights, particularly the fluorescent variety, can highlight the unattractiveness of a popcorn ceiling by creating starker shadows. To make the texture of the ceiling recede visually, avoid putting direct lights high on the walls. Instead, choose soft, low lights that will cast a diffused glow around the room. You might use lamps on side tables, standing lamps, and spotlights that point down. Track lights positioned lower on the wall can also serve as lighting, particularly when you want to highlight a piece of art.

Floor Decor

When you have an ugly popcorn ceiling, make an effort to draw the eye down by focusing on the floor to make a design statement. Choose an area rug that will stand out or become the focal point of the room -- a bright color or a big pattern, for example. Center the rug in the middle of the room so that a significant percent of it is visible. You can also paint the floor a solid bright color or two colors with large stencils or install tiles in a bold pattern.

Monochromatic Design

A popcorn ceiling can often make a ceiling feel lower, particularly when your walls are not very tall to begin with. To minimize the impact, use a monochromatic design scheme to make the room feel more open and airy. Choose a single pale shade as the focus of the room, and decorate using different shades of the color. You might use whites and creams for a modern, clean look, or choose pale yellow shades for a sunny feeling. The variety of shades will create depth, and you can use pops of color to add visual interest.

Bold Design Elements

To keep the focus on the rest of your room, use bold design elements. Depending on the style of your home, choose elements that will attract attention. In a contemporary home, you might use modern bookshelves or unexpected furniture design. In a more traditional home, look for conversation pieces -- an antique trunk turned into a coffee table, for example, or an old sofa that has been reupholstered with a custom fabric design.

Tags: that will, popcorn ceiling, bright color, choose elements, choose elements that, elements that, elements that will