The times when beams on the ceiling were exclusively in rural houses are long gone. In addition, it is worth noting that today they perform not only the role of support for the roof, but also a decorative function. It is because of the latter that many people prefer to install decorative beams not only in country houses, but also in city apartments. They will look original and unusual, but only if they are played correctly. We will tell you in this article exactly how to decorate beams on the ceiling in an apartment or an old house.
Decorative beams
To complement the interior, it is absolutely not necessary to redo the roof and undertake expensive repairs; it will be enough to buy decorative beams and install them on the ceiling. In a specialized store you can find three types of beams:
- wooden;
- metal;
- made of polyurethane.
The classic option is wooden beams for the ceiling. They are made from ash, pine and oak. They can be solid or hollow inside, which will allow you to hide various communications.
Made from polyurethane
Previously, beams were masked, but now designers include them in the interior of various rooms, where they fit organically. It can be:
- kitchen;
- living room;
- bedroom;
- cabinet;
- corridor.
You can zone the room
Another original solution would be zoning the room. This is especially true for a studio apartment or a country house with large rooms. It is enough to correctly position the beams on the ceiling. If we consider the styles in which wooden decorative elements occupy a leading position, then we can highlight:
- Scandinavian;
- rustic;
- country;
- eco;
- Provence;
- Mediterranean.
Chandeliers with chains can be mounted on beams
You can also attach lamps or chandeliers with chains to the beams.
Design Features
Brushing
When planning the interior, you need to pay attention to all the details, even the most insignificant ones. When it comes to beams, there are several options: to beat the entire surface or to decorate it partially, making strict structures. You can lay beams in a wide variety of ways, relying on your own taste and discretion, so you shouldn’t be limited by the rules.
Aging
There are several current ways to finish wood beams on the ceiling:
- Brushing. This technology will highlight the wood texture. Masters even imitate marks from the bark beetle. As a result, the beams are transformed beyond recognition, and outwardly it will seem that the residents are in an old house that is more than 200 years old.
- Fire treatment. This is a technology for artificial aging of wood. For this method you will need a blowtorch and special brushes.
- Vintage style. You can make a ceiling with load-bearing beams look like an old one using special paints and varnishes.
- Ethnic style. It is necessary to include forged elements and twine in the interior.
- Traditional style. A distinctive feature is simplicity, this is what allows you to create an atmosphere of comfort and warmth.
Triangular Beam Designs
Some designs involve transitions from ceilings to walls. At the same time, beams can give a refined European style to the room.
What it is?
Load-bearing beams are essentially load-bearing walls, or more precisely, their upper part. Structurally, the crossbars are made of solid concrete, reinforced from the inside with steel reinforcement. Their main role is to serve as a reliable support for interfloor ceilings, therefore the demolition of load-bearing beams is strictly prohibited for safety reasons. After such unauthorized dismantling (although this is very difficult and will require incredible physical effort), the walls and ceilings, at a minimum, will be covered with a network of cracks, but the option cannot be ruled out when the structures simply collapse, and this can lead to catastrophic consequences.
You have to face the problem of crossbars during renovations, not only in buildings of the Stalin era, but also during renovations in new buildings. Apartment owners have to strain all their imagination and design skills to come up with ways out of the situation and somehow disguise this necessary, but insidious detail that spoils the appearance of the apartment. Why insidious? But because they often remind of their existence unexpectedly, for example, in the process of combining a loggia with a living room or increasing the kitchen area at its expense.
So let's establish that there is a problem. But it must be solved in such a way that the safety of the apartment being renovated and the entire building is not affected. It is quite possible to do this, and in this regard, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with some design tricks. But before that, a small remark, reminiscent of a paraphrased expression from the famous Soviet comedy: “... everything has already been stolen before us.”
The situation is as follows: you are about to start renovations in a recently purchased apartment, and it turns out that the previous owners, bypassing the law and basic common sense, managed to demolish the crossbars: this is signaled by pieces of crumbled concrete with remnants of reinforcement sticking out from the inside. What to do in this case? Strengthen immediately!
To do this, firstly, you should invite a specialist who will assess the condition and suggest the optimal method of strengthening, for example, installing additional supports in the form of metal I-beams to strengthen the doorway. Unfortunately, purely cosmetic measures in the form of welding a small amount of reinforcement and masking the marks with cement putty are not enough.
In an old house
Quite often, in country houses that are used seasonally (in summer), the finishing quickly deteriorates and loses its attractive appearance. This happens especially often in a wooden house, since the wood is exposed to moisture and dampness. To return the beams to a presentable appearance, you can:
- dismantle old beams and install false beams made of polyurethane (this material imitates the texture of wood well);
- decorate the structure with ropes, creating an interior in a marine style;
- hide imperfections on the surface with paint or varnish;
- if the defects are too obvious, putty and prime the surface, after which paint should be applied;
- not just paint the beams, but also paint them manually or using stencils.
Can be painted or varnished
There are also several recommendations regarding the interior style of the room. For example, the high-tech style goes well with metallic shades; wires that are not hidden and simple light bulbs for lighting will add originality. If we talk about country or Provence style, then a whitewashed ceiling against a background of bright beams would be most appropriate.
When painting beams, it is not necessary to give preference to natural (brown) and pastel shades. By choosing bright colors, you can get a bright accent on the ceiling.
How to beat a ledge in a room. 5 cool ideas to decorate an empty wall in the living room
The walls in the living room can be either a background or an accent of the interior - it depends on your goals and wishes.
In this article, I have collected a selection of great ideas on how to decorate an empty wall in the living room. If you have no plans for the weekend, then you can devote them to decorating your interior.
Drawing on the wall
An empty wall in the living room can be turned into an interior accent; all you need is a few cans of paint and a free evening. Come up with a design and apply it to the wall.
The example in the photo was made independently and this idea can be easily repeated even if you have not studied at an art school: drawing the silhouette of a coniferous forest and painting each layer in one color is not a difficult task.
The result will be very interesting. This wall decor will make the living room individual.
And if you don’t like the forest, then you can depict mountains. The design can be anything - the main thing is to choose the right colors so that they match and highlight the interior design of the room.
In order to create a sense of perspective in a drawing on the wall, you should remember: the background is always the lightest in tone, and the background is darker and the colors in the foreground are more saturated and bright.
Three-dimensional paintings
One well-founded, bold decor idea can save an unsuccessful interior or highlight the merits of a style.
A frame on the wall and silhouettes of flying birds - such decor can take a place in the Museum of Modern Art, since the composition resembles an art installation in which the artist’s intention is present.
Look, free birds fly into a limited area of the frame: will the birds remain in the cage or will it not become an obstacle for them?
You can make such a composition yourself and quite simply. You will need cardboard and a frame. The frame is fixed on the wall, and bird silhouettes are cut out of cardboard and the silhouettes are attached to the wall using double-sided adhesive tape.
Now you decide for yourself where the birds fly and whether they will overcome the barrier of the frame.
But silhouettes can be not only flat; for example, in art salons you can purchase voluminous silhouettes of butterflies. The butterflies, painted with white water-based paint, look as if they are made of plaster, just like the frame that is mounted on the wall.
The decor turned out to be quite delicate, and the correct selection of a smoky shade of pink for the wall made the interior elegant.
Photos
Feel free to post your photos. The living room is the best place for this and it is appropriate to organize a “wall of fame” here. Let guests know more about you - post travel photos and postcards.
Photos store impressions, so wedding photos will always remind you of the happiest moment of your life.
For such a storage system, you need to attach a wooden strip with a fishing line to the wall of the living room, to which you can attach photographs using clamps.
In this way, pleasant and memorable moments in life will literally surround you, and this has a beneficial effect on your mood and adds self-confidence.
Paintings and posters
People have been decorating interiors with paintings since time immemorial. This decoration option allows you to fill the interior and add mood to it.
And if your mood often changes, then it is best to provide a shelf for pictures on the living room wall and replace them depending on your needs.
This solution is more mobile and you can replace the exposure yourself. In addition, a picture shelf will preserve the surface of the walls, since you will not need to drill them to hang pictures and posters.
Functional decor
Living room wall decor can also be functional. If you love books or collect magazines, how do you like the idea of open storage? This wall decor will appeal to guests and household members, since a favorite book or fashion magazine will always be visible.
Magazine covers are sometimes the epitome of great design, so why not decorate your home with them?
You can make such a shelf yourself, but do not forget to provide a horizontal rail or fishing line to secure books and magazines.
After repairs, fragments of plywood always remain. From the leftovers you can assemble a shelf of an unusual shape. Haven't worked with carpentry equipment? This is not a problem - invite a master, explain the idea to him and he will quickly assemble a structure that will be a functional wall decor.
I am convinced that every person has the talent of a designer and we all have the power to make our homes cozy, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try to create decor yourself, and I will always give you ideas and methods of implementation.
Masking a concrete beam
Now let's look at the basic methods of how you can beat the beams on the ceiling in a house in different situations.
Used for hanging dishes
Beams in the kitchen. In this case, you can proceed as follows: the beams are lowered below the ceiling level and fixed in a stationary state. The structure is secured with hooks on which you can hang dishes, kitchen utensils, food (garlic, onions or hot peppers), aromatic herbs, dried flowers and much more. This will look especially good in a house with high ceilings.
Attaching a hanging chair
If the beam is in good condition, then you can attach a hanging chair or swing to it. They will fit perfectly into the living room interior. It is important to remember that if we are talking about imitation, then this option is unacceptable.
Beams with spotlights
Lighting system. In this case, you place antique-style lamps; for example, a chandelier in the form of a wheel with light sources in the form of candles will look original in a large hall. You can also abandon the central light source and use spotlights that are mounted on all beams or through one.- LED Strip Light. This is a chic and modern option. LED strips are mounted at the junction of the beam and ceiling to make them less noticeable. This way you can get the effect of a ceiling floating in the air.
- False beams. When one or more elements have lost their attractiveness and their structure is completely destroyed, you can replace them with cheaper polyurethane analogues. They imitate the structure of wood well.
- Textile. When it comes to decorating the ceiling in the bedroom, beams can be used to form a canopy. The most common options are suitable here: cornice, rings and ropes. The material can be hung in a chaotic manner or in a planned pattern, for example, around a bed. This method will add a feeling of lightness, weightlessness and romance.
- Decoration with rope. If other options cannot be implemented, then decorative ropes can be secured along the contour of the concrete beam.
Illuminated by LED strip
The option of installing LED strips is suitable for a modern style or for a teenager’s room.
What to do if you can’t disguise a concrete beam? In this case, you should make a suspended structure from plasterboard or stretch ceiling. You can make a box in the shape of the letter “P” from drywall. Such a box should be fixed directly to the ceiling and adjacent wall. It is not recommended to drill into the beam, as it may lose its technical characteristics.
Moreover, if the concrete beam is located vertically, then this disadvantage can be turned into an advantage. For example, make a built-in wardrobe. This will completely hide the existing beam while creating plenty of storage space.
Protrusions on the walls in Khrushchev. Repair of a “killed” three-ruble ruble in Khrushchev 55 m: before and after photos
Kitchen before and after renovation
- Area – 55 m²
- Bathrooms — 1
- Ceilings - 2.6 m
- Kitchen – 5.5 m²
- Rooms – 3
For a young family, designer Svetlana Selivanova had to make a small redevelopment. And to visually expand the space, she used optical illusions using mirrors.
The interior is built on the contrast of materials - rough concrete and smooth paint on the walls, dark natural wood and light furniture. If you look closely, you can also see mirrors - on both sides of the sofa, on the protruding walls. They hide the shortcomings of a typical room layout.
The wall between the living room and the hallway was dismantled to increase living space. The two zones are separated by a wooden shelving that matches the floor covering. Some of the walls are highlighted in rich, deep shades - blue and purple. And the doors on these walls were also tinted to make them as invisible as possible.
Living room before renovation
Living room after renovation
A 5.5 m² kitchen was connected to the living room, but a sliding partition was installed - this is a necessary condition for redevelopment if a gas stove is installed. A dining table appeared at the border of the rooms, and a wardrobe was built along the wall between the windows. This is a very good solution if your tiny kitchen does not have enough storage space.
The addition of a kitchen made it possible to install a refrigerator in the place of the former doorway. Previously, there was simply no room for it. But there is still not enough work surface. Therefore, a tabletop was also laid on the windowsill. It’s inconvenient to cook there, but storing food or household appliances is quite possible.
The bedroom is small, but you don't need a lot of space here. The width of the room is just enough for a bed and a couple of nightstands. We managed to do without a closet, because part of the room was allocated to a dressing room, where all the family things are stored.
Bedroom before renovation
Bedroom after renovation
The color scheme is neutral, but the fireplace column was highlighted in the same purple as in the living room. The owners of the apartment dreamed of a bio-fireplace, and not in the living room, but in the bedroom.
The size of the nursery and dressing room are similar at the request of the customers, since children were only planned, but the owners had a lot of things and they wanted a large dressing room. They didn’t make the children’s room too “baby” - they chose neutral wallpaper and did without traditional bright colors. This will allow you to replace just a few pieces of furniture in the future to make the room comfortable for a preschooler or even a teenager.
The tabletop is literally built into the book and toy shelves that frame the window. Mirrors were also used to disguise them. They decorated the end walls.
In addition to the cradle, the room included a linen chest of drawers and an armchair.
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Author: Pavel Shelyagin.
Full or partial camouflage
Quite often, owners decide to completely hide the beams from view, but you can only close the space between the beams by making a ceiling. In this case, the following types of ceilings and materials are used:
- tension;
- plasterboard;
- caisson;
- lining.
Coffered ceiling
The most expensive and sophisticated is the coffered ceiling. In addition to beams, this design involves the creation of other elements, for example, cells, recesses and cornices. The cassettes can be of any shape:
- polygon;
- rhombus;
- square.
Using partial masking, you can hide flaws and defects on the ceiling and at the same time leave beams in the interior of the room.
If your home has ceiling beams, then getting rid of them would be the worst decision. After all, you can add zest to the interior of a room with minimal financial and time costs, just by correctly playing with the existing design features.
It's not so easy to hide
The ceiling crossbar can be disguised... however, it should be taken into account that the practical implementation of such a plan requires careful study and sometimes it is necessary to overcome certain objective difficulties. If you decide to decorate fragments protruding from the plane with material identical to it, the surface of the crossbars will have to be leveled as well as possible.
In a room with a small height of the “bad” element and high walls, sometimes they simply install suspended or tension structures, under which the crossbar becomes invisible. Most often, this is done in bathrooms (both separate and combined) - in all other rooms you can almost never use this technique, it absorbs too much space.
