If your home has low ceilings, you’re not alone—our ceilings are 8ft throughout our home thanks to it being built in the 1970s. The good news is, you don’t have to live with that cramped, boxed-in feeling.

Whether you're dealing with a small bedroom, basement living space, or an older home with standard-height ceilings like ours, there are smart design strategies you can use to open things up and give the illusion of higher ceilings.

With just a few thoughtful changes, you can create a look of height and make your space feel larger, brighter, and more modern.

Here are 8 expert-approved, budget-friendly ways to make low ceilings look taller and bring visual height to any room in your home:

1. Create a Vertical Accent Wall

When you want to draw the eye upward, vertical lines are your best friend. Adding a vertical accent wall—with options like shiplap, board and batten, slat wood panels, or vertically striped wallpaper—naturally lifts the eye and makes your walls feel taller.

These treatments add architectural interest while visually expanding the height of the room. We have incorporated both traditional board and batten and a taller version of board and batten in our home and both have achieved the illusion of height in each space.

If you are looking for guidance on how to build one of these accent walls, be sure to check out my YouTube channel where I have step-by-step tutorials on how to install accent walls for beginners.

2. Stick to Light Paint Colors

Light and neutral paint colors are essential in small or low-ceiling spaces. Shades of white, soft gray, cream, or light pastels reflect more light and help rooms feel open and airy.

Painting a room with a light color creates the illusion of more space and gives short ceilings a visual boost. Avoid dark hues that can make ceilings feel even lower. Especially in small rooms or narrow entryways, light paint can really open up a space.

In my own home, we have painted all the walls in the main living spaces with Pure White by Sherwin Williams. It’s the perfect shade of white and gives a reflective surface for light to bounce off of.

If you have never painted a room before and aren't sure what paint tools to use or where to begin, check out my detailed tutorial - How to Paint a Room for Beginners.

3. Hang Curtains High and Wide

One of the easiest tricks to make a ceiling feel taller is to hang your curtains high—as close to the ceiling as possible—and allow them to fall all the way to the floor. This floor-to-ceiling curtain look elongates your walls and emphasizes vertical space.

Bonus tip: Choose curtain panels in a solid color or subtle vertical pattern for even more lift. In our older home, I installed our curtain rod 5" down from the ceiling which was the perfect height to have my curtains hang the full length of the wall.

Even with lower ceilings, having curtains fill the wall space from the ceiling to the floor will make your eyes think the ceilings are much higher.

4. Optimize Your Lighting

Dark, shadowy corners make a space feel smaller and more enclosed. The solution? Layered lighting. Use a combination of recessed ceiling lights, sconces, pendant lights, and floor or table lamps to brighten every part of the room.

Well-lit rooms feel larger, and lighting that comes from multiple directions helps eliminate harsh shadows that emphasize low ceilings. I've seen and read so many interior designers swearing that layered lighting combined with more neutral bulb color is the key to a lighter and larger room feel.

One thing I have done in every home we have lived in is switch out any warm light bulb that gives off a yellow or orange hue to a brighter bulb that gives off a more white or daylight hue.

If you aren't sure how to identify light bulbs that will give off a cleaner brightness and color, look for bulbs that are between 5,000 - 6,000K which give off a more neutral or slightly cooler color.

These are my favorite light bulbs.

Our favorite, easy-to-install can lights.

5. Use a Continued Paint Color on Walls and Ceiling

To create a seamless flow and prevent your ceiling from feeling like a hard stop, paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. This technique blurs the boundary between the vertical and horizontal planes, giving the illusion of a taller, more expansive space.

It’s especially effective in rooms with lots of angles or awkward architecture. This technique is commonly called color-drenching by interior designers. With this technique, you would paint the walls, baseboards, and ceilings all the same color which blurs the hard lines between the floor, wall, and ceiling making even small spaces feel much larger.

Unlike the previous tip to stick to lighter paint colors, color-drenching is the one exception where you can get away with darker colors in a small space without losing the look and feel of an open space.

6. Choose Low-Profile Furniture

Oversized, bulky furniture draws attention to the limited vertical space. In addition, having clutter or too much furniture can also make a small room feel even more closed in. Instead of oversized furniture, opt for low-profile furniture that sits closer to the floor.

This allows for more breathing room above, making your ceilings appear higher. Sofas with low backs, sleek coffee tables, and low-slung beds all contribute to a taller-feeling room. The open space between the furniture and your ceilings will also give your eyes room to explore, giving the illusion of higher ceilings.

7. Incorporate Mirrors Strategically

Mirrors reflect light and space, instantly opening up a room and creating depth. In low-ceiling areas, choose tall mirrors and place them where they reflect natural light or architectural elements.

Vertical mirrors are especially effective at drawing the eye upward and enhancing the perception of height. Try adding an arched mirror or a mirror with a decorative frame to your living room or bedroom to add design and enhance the look of the ceiling height.

8. Keep the Ceiling Clear and Simple

Overhead clutter—like heavy ceiling beams, ornate light fixtures, or crown molding—can weigh the room down. Instead, go for a minimalist ceiling design. Use flush-mount or recessed lights to save vertical space and keep the eye from being pulled downward.

If you have ceiling fans, go for a sleek flush-mount style or one that hugs tightly to the ceiling. If you have an older home with 8ft ceilings, try to avoid ceiling details like a coffered ceiling as they will only make the ceiling look lower. The cleaner the ceiling line, the taller it feels.

Final Thoughts

Low ceilings don’t have to limit your design potential. With these 8 practical and stylish tips, you can transform any space to feel more open, airy, and elevated - creating the illusion of high ceilings.

From the right paint color to smart furniture choices and lighting solutions, you have all the tools to turn a tight space into a visually expansive retreat.

Looking for more DIY home improvement tips and tricks for maximizing small spaces?

Be sure to check out my other posts on budget-friendly upgrades, room makeovers, and creative solutions that bring big results—even in the smaller rooms and older homes.

8 Ways to Make Your Low Ceilings Look and Feel Taller