Do you find decorating a dining room with high ceilings tough? Tall ceilings offer a mix of luxury and design challenges. Here are five tips to help you enhance your high ceiling dining room. These ideas come from a range of design and home decor experts.
Key Takeaways:
- Add architectural features, such as board and batten–style trim details, wooden beams, tray ceilings, or shiplap, to create a focal point on the ceiling and lower the visual height of the room.
- Consider painting the ceiling a bold color to add visual interest and make the ceiling a standout feature in the room.
- Hang curtains to the ceiling, even if the windows don’t extend all the way up, to draw the eye up and create a cohesive look.
- Choose appropriately-sized furniture and lighting that complement the height of the room, such as tall headboards, oversized light fixtures, and appropriately-sized art.
- Create a visually balanced space by incorporating horizontal patterns, items, and architectural details.

Add Architectural Features to the Ceiling
Want to make your high ceiling dining room stand out? Try adding architectural elements to the ceiling. These features turn the ceiling into the room’s star, making the space look incredible.
Consider using board and batten trim for a classic look. This design has wide boards and narrow battens, creating texture and depth. It adds elegance and makes the room feel more intimate.
Wooden beams are another great option. They can highlight areas of the room or add structure to the open space. The wood’s natural warmth makes the dining area cozy and welcoming.
A tray ceiling adds a luxurious touch. It has recessed or stepped levels, giving depth. Decorating it with moldings or lights adds extra flair.
For a rustic vibe, go with shiplap. The horizontal planks add a homey charm and make the ceiling seem lower.
With these architectural additions, your high ceiling dining room will become a beautiful and cozy space.
Paint the Ceiling and Hang Curtains to the Ceiling
Painting your high ceiling dining room’s ceiling a bold color is smart. This adds visual interest and highlights the ceiling. A bright ceiling adds depth and personality. Make sure the bold color matches the room’s style and colors.
Hanging curtains near the ceiling also makes the room feel taller. This trick makes the space cozy and intimate. Curtains should be hung 4-6 inches below the ceiling or crown molding. Curtains hung this way make the room look bigger and more impressive, even with shorter windows.
“Painting the ceiling a bold color and hanging curtains to the ceiling can transform a high ceiling dining room into a visually striking and inviting space.”
Choose curtain designs that make your ceilings look higher. Use patterns and textures that lead the eye upward. Patterned drapes are great when your room lacks other patterns. They can make the ceiling seem higher. Floor-to-ceiling curtains add drama and sophistication. Try different materials and designs to enhance your room’s feel.
Use bold ceiling paint and ceiling-high curtains to refresh your dining space. These ideas are eye-catching and make the most of your vertical space. They improve the room’s feel and look.
Choose Appropriate Furniture and Lighting
When setting up a high ceiling dining room, pick furniture and lighting that match the tall space. Getting the scale right is crucial for a balanced, attractive dining area.
Scale and Furniture
Use tall furniture to match the room’s height. A tall headboard or armoire with decorations brings elegance. These pieces make the room look grand and add interest.

Appropriate-Sized Art
It’s important to choose big art for the vertical space. Go for artwork that’s big enough to be noticed but not too much. Hang art at the right height to keep the room balanced.
Oversized Light Fixtures
In high ceiling dining rooms, lighting is key. Pick a big light fixture that hangs down, adding depth. The right choice can be a chandelier, pendant, or can lights, but it must be bright enough.
“Choosing furniture and lighting that harmonizes with the vertical space can elevate the design of your high ceiling dining room.” – Interior Design Expert
By selecting the right furniture and lighting, you make your high ceiling dining room look cohesive and stunning. Always think about the room’s function and style to make it welcoming and impressive.

Elevate Your High Ceiling Dining Room Design
Decorating a high ceiling dining room can be tough. But, with the right advice, you can make it amazing. Think about these tips to boost style and use:
1. Add Architectural Features: Use elements like board and batten, wooden beams, and shiplap. These add charm and lower the ceiling visually. They make your ceiling the star of the room.
2. Paint the Ceiling and Hang Curtains: Try a bold ceiling color to add depth. Curtains that reach the ceiling can draw the eye upward. This fills the vertical space nicely.
3. Choose Appropriate Furniture and Lighting: Pick furniture and lights that match the room’s height. Use low furniture to highlight the room’s height more, if there’s a great view. Get art and a big light fixture to use empty space well.
Using these tips, your high ceiling dining spot can look better. It’s key to mix your style into the space. Make your high ceiling dining area the highlight of your home.