Sometimes, the problem isn’t so much that we don’t have enough space. Rather it’s making good use of the space we already have. This is especially true for those of us with high ceilings but maybe not so much square footage. We forget to think vertically. And yet, just by considering the space overhead we can create new storage opportunities, display opportunities, even sleeping options.
IDEA NO. 1: Build a false ceiling and use it for storage. If
you’ve got a tiny little apartment with very high ceilings, make use of
some of that ceiling height to create a storage area. This type of
overhead storage is common in European homes — much less so in American
ones. The best areas to lower the ceiling and create a storage
compartment include hallways, anterooms and bathrooms — that is, those
areas where the ceiling height won’t be missed. Because this type of
storage can be harder to access than closet space, you’re best using it
to store items that are seldom-used. And there’s another route too: use
the space overhead for open storage (for instance, bicycle storage as
below) but don’t hide the bikes for a funky, youthful look.
IDEA No. 2: Build a tall bookcase, and add a ladder. If
you’ve got high ceilings and more books than you can handle, don’t buy
a bookcase of conventional height. Instead, go for a tall,
floor-to-ceiling bookcase and add a ladder to help you access those
books up near the ceiling. In the second picture below, owners have
made clever use of a high ceiling be creating a ceiling-bookshelf.
IDEA No. 3: Create a picture gallery. If you’ve got
high ceilings and you like to collect art, a natural way to make use of
vertical space is by hanging artwork salon style, right up to the
ceilings. A salon-style installation of artwork can make a striking
impression that adapts well both to large and small rooms alike.
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