False ceilings commonly conceal HVAC units or wires.
In interior design, false ceilings are generally used to conceal building elements like HVAC units or electrical wires, and they can create opportunities for interesting interior design choices. A false ceiling, sometimes called a suspended or dropped ceiling, can be camouflaged to match the rest of the room, or it can be highlighted with recessed lighting or drapery.
General Lighting Design
Because a false ceiling lowers part or all of a room's ceiling, it can affect how the light fills the room. For home spaces that are meant to be soothing, dimmer light is more common in interior designs because it gives a feeling of relaxation and comfort. Residential rooms with false ceilings might not have lighting installed in the ceiling, or the lights might be dimmer. Commercial spaces generally require brighter or higher contrast lighting to stimulate the senses, so commercial spaces with suspended ceilings can benefit from brighter lights.
Recessed Lighting
A false ceiling can provide both opportunities and challenges for an interior designer who wants to install recessed lighting. The space between the suspended ceiling and the structure above can have room for installing lights, but the space can also be filled with horizontal HVAC ducts or electrical wires. The designer must be aware that recessed lighting may not be possible or account for ducts and other mechanical conduits when placing lights.
Light Fixtures
If won't work in a false ceiling, light fixtures can be installed to light the space. When choosing light fixtures for a room with a drop ceiling, designers must take into account the space from the ceiling to the floor. Hanging fixtures might not be practical if the ceiling is too low, but they can also balance out a high ceiling. For lower ceilings, lights that have a high clearance can be best.
Concealing a False Ceiling
Another way to handle a suspended ceiling in interior design is to conceal it. No one will ever know that the ceiling is lower if it is made to look like the natural ceiling. Designers can install crown molding around the upper corners of the room, or paint the ceiling in a neutral color or a color that matches the walls.
Dividing the Space
A false ceiling can also help a designer divide a room into smaller spaces. Sometimes only part of the ceiling will be dropped to allow for heating and cooling ducts, and this can be the ideal opportunity to create a smaller space within a larger room. To visually divide the space, you can install drapes along the edge of the partial dropped ceiling. The edge can also be decorated with decor items like plates, artwork or decorative wood planks.
Tags: recessed lighting, false ceiling, ceiling lower, dropped ceiling, electrical wires, false ceiling, false ceilings