5 Accent Walls to Make Your Ceilings Look Higher
If you're looking to create the illusion of higher ceilings in your home without a full renovation, accent walls are an easy solution. I have 8ft ceilings in my home but regularly get asked on social media how tall my ceilings are because my accent walls make them look taller. The right design can add height and depth to a room, making your space feel airier and more open. In this post, I’ll share five creative accent wall ideas that not only add character but also visually lift your ceilings, giving your home a more spacious, elevated feel.
Board and Batten
Traditional Board and Batten typically goes up the wall two-thirds. So if you had 8ft ceilings like me, then your board and batten would go about 64” high. The vertical boards in the accent wall draw your eye up which makes the ceilings appear to be higher than they are. Click here for my full video tutorial on installing board and batten.
Tall Board and Batten
Unlike traditional board and batten, this accent wall goes all the way up the wall to the ceiling. Since the vertical boards extend to the full height of the wall, this pulls your gaze upward even higher, creating the illusion of more height in the room. I added this accent wall to my entryway and wrapped it around into my living room and it instantly felt taller and more open in the space. Click here for my full video tutorial on installed tall board and batten.
Picture Frame Molding
Picture frame molding, or box molding, adds texture and interest to your walls with tall boxes or rectangles. It is often used to elevate the look and feel of a room but can also add visual height to the space. I added picture frame molding to my very small and closed-in hallway and the ceilings immediately felt taller. Click here for my blog tutorial on installing picture frame molding.
Vertical Slat Wall
One of the easiest accent walls you can install is a vertical slat wall which can be done several different ways and even installed without any power tools. One idea for a vertical slat wall is to install a simple lattice board to the wall every 18” or so and painting the wall all one color. Another option is to add the vertical boards much closer together, maybe just an inch or two apart, and then leaving them raw wood for more texture and interest. Either way, adding vertical lines to any room will visually elongate the wall space, which gives the illusion of added height. Click here for my blog tutorial on installing a vertical slat accent wall.
Bead Board or Vertical Shiplap
Both bead board and shiplap are accent walls with a vertical pattern. The difference between the two is that bead board has more narrow planks separated by ridges and shiplap has wider planks. You can choose to install either one on the entire height of a wall or install it up just two-thirds of the wall. Both add a vertical element to a room and the focus shifts away from the horizontal plane of the ceiling, making it seem less prominent. Click here for my full video tutorial on installing a bead board accent wall.
By incorporating any of these five accent wall ideas, you can instantly enhance the height and overall vibe of your space without the need for extensive renovations. Whether you choose board and batten, bead board paneling, or some classic box molding, the key is to draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of taller ceilings. So, if you’re looking to elevate your home’s aesthetic (literally), an accent wall could be just the trick you need!
