Just as a building is incomplete without a sturdy roof, home interiors are incomplete without a good ceiling. The ceiling or the fifth wall is steadily gaining momentum in a world of interior design that almost always favored the four walls and the floor. Although false ceiling designs have been around for years, they’re coming back with a bang in terms of patterns, finishes, technology, and illusions.
Before diving into designs, it’s best to set a base of what it is, who it’s for, and what its pros and cons are.
What is a False Ceiling?
In simple terms, a false ceiling is a fitted ceiling that hangs below the original ceiling of a room or home. It’s usually suspended by wooden or metal frames and the illusion it brings of a lower ceiling, sometimes with parts of the original ceiling on display, has earned it the moniker ‘dropped ceiling.’
These are usually mounted at a minimum distance of 8 inches from the original ceiling. They’re versatile enough to be constructed in homes of any size– it’s all about being clever with shapes and available space.
Popular False Ceiling Materials
Gypsum False Ceiling
Gypsum is an offspring of calcium and is used in the construction of lightweight ceilings. They usually come in the form of boards that are then hung off the ceiling with iron or wooden frameworks and given a lick of paint.
False Ceiling Cost per sq ft.: ₹40 – ₹95
Plaster of Paris False Ceiling
This is a more common variety of ceilings, not least because PoP is easy to shape and source. They’re long-lasting and are well-insulated even in varying weather conditions.
False Ceiling Cost per sq ft.: ₹50 – ₹150
Wooden False Ceiling
Adds a warm touch to your room
Due to its natural grain and textures, wood has found its way onto the fifth wall many times, in the form of a ceiling. It’s a tad on the pricier side, which is why you’d most likely see it in residential buildings as opposed to large-scale commercial projects.
False Ceiling Cost per sq ft.: ₹70 – ₹650
Of these, the first two are usually the ceiling of choice in Indian homes because they’re much more customizable.
Types of False Ceiling Designs in 2021
To help you evaluate which ceiling design to go for, here’s a rundown of both the classic and the bang-on-trend:
Single-layered False Ceiling
These draw the eye upwards immediately
This type of ceiling is a fool-proof way to jazz up a room without going the whole hog. Homeowners could choose to leave it white on a white ceiling, as this adds dimension without necessarily overwhelming the space. However, if you’d like to go out with a bang, you could choose from a variety of colors, shapes, textures, and lighting options to draw the eye upwards immediately. This is a great trick to distract from a small space or one that doesn’t do much in terms of decor.
Multi-layered False Ceiling
Multi-layered False Ceiling Designs India Opens up new avenues for adding lighting
Layers are a great way to experiment with an already versatile medium to create a completely personalized ceiling. In larger rooms, a multi-layered ceiling in the center of the ceiling creates drama and the feeling of grandeur, while those laid out near the edges are more likely to make space look wider. A multi-layered ceiling also opens up new avenues for lighting, color, and shape-based experiments, so don’t be afraid to flex your creative muscles!
Plus-Minus POP False Ceiling
Factor in existing decor plans for this one
Constructed completely out of POP, the plus-minus ceiling design is where elements are protruding out of a regular false ceiling or, by contrast, tucked into it. This trend is more on the elaborate side, so be sure to factor in existing decor plans and the amount of space you have before playing around with this idea.
Coffered False Ceiling
These create the illusion of higher ceilings
Coffers are sunken square or boxy panels that are fixed into a ceiling. Aside from instantly bringing drama into space, this ceiling design also creates the illusion of higher ceiling height and multiple dimensions within one room.
False Ceiling Shapes
Unique box designs with POP
POP used in false ceilings is known for its mouldable properties making it perfect for almost any kind of ceiling design. However, other false ceiling materials can be shaped and customized as well. Take a look at some of the most popular false ceiling shapes:
- Box ceiling: This design features a layered ceiling with boxed and recessed lights attached to them.
- Peripheral ceiling: This minimal design runs along with the corners of the room and is perfect for low ceiling homes. You can also find space for a chandelier or pendant lights in this design.
- Geometric design: This design requires suspended panels for each piece that is put together. It’s a modern design that gives the room a stylish edge.
- Intricate lattice: Installing a lattice in a false ceiling provides a subtle demarcation to an open space and adds to the aesthetics of a room.
- Wooden slats: Wooden false ceilings are a favorite albeit expensive option among homeowners. It is also one of the best insulating ceiling options
- Inverted cove: A great option to reduce high ceilings. It works well in every room and is perfect for ambient lighting. You can also find space for a chandelier in this design.
Pros and Cons of a False Ceiling
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to install a ceiling, here are a few pros and cons that should help you decide:
Advantages of a False Ceiling
- Great acoustics: Adding a layer to the original ceiling creates better acoustics within making it a perfect design treatment for living rooms, home theatre, and AV rooms.
- Hides wires: A false ceiling is a perfect place to hide wires and pipes. A false ceiling can also be fitted with sunken or hidden lighting.
- Brings lofty ceilings lower: For lofty vertical space that dwarfs furniture in a room, you can consider installing a false ceiling to restore proportions.
- Insulates the room: For homes in colder regions of the country, this offers up an added perk of insulating rooms. The additional layer creates a gap between itself and the original layer, which traps air and cools the room down. It also optimizes the functioning of air conditioners. Because it reduces the square footage to be cool and slashes energy bills.
Disadvantages of a False Ceiling
- Installation requires precision from experts: False ceiling requires precision in design, calculation, and installation and must only be put in place by experts.
- Not feasible for low-ceilinged rooms: It needs to be at least 8 inches away from the original wall. Therefore, it is always recommended that the ceiling height by 11 feet or higher. For compact homes, a partial ceiling in a corner of the room can do the trick.
Where to Install a False Ceiling
There’s really no limit to where you could install a ceiling in your home, but popular options are:
#1: Living Room False Ceiling
Makes for a great welcome for guests
This makes for a grand entrance and instantly hints at the amount of vertical space available, making the room look larger than it is or quite right.
#2: Bedroom False Ceiling Design
A striking way to add drama to any bedroom
A false ceiling over a bed, or running the vertical length between floor and wall, is a striking way to add drama to the room without compromising on the comfort and coziness a bedroom should entail.
#3: Kids Room False Ceiling
Experiment with shapes for your kid’s room
Instead of playing it safe with pinks and blues, consider taking all the color and throwing it up in the form of a ceiling. This keeps the room free of potentially dangerous decor items and furniture while connecting with space, design-wise.
#4: The Kitchen False Ceiling
Offbeat but definitely makes a statement
Not one for the safe players, a false ceiling in a kitchen is a surefire way to add style. It converts a task-oriented space into one that scores points for offbeat design. Not only does it look fancy, but it also provides additional lighting without using wall or countertop space.
#5: The Dining Room False Ceiling
Grand ceiling options to match the dining table
There’s a reason homeowner opts for these designs in dining rooms. Lowering the ceiling makes for a cozy atmosphere making the dining experience a lot more personal and enjoyable. In most cases, the ceiling mimics the material of the dining table to provide a continuation of design in the room! The above image features a POP ceiling that is painted to look like wood and match the solid wood dining table.
#6: Pooja Room False Ceiling
Minimal ceiling with energy-conserving LED lighting
If you have a pooja or prayer room at home, you know how important good lighting is for this space. In most cases, a pooja room is a compact space with no windows. Even if they are present, they are most likely covered or blocked. This leaves you with installing this design to save space with ample overhead lighting.
FAQs on false ceilings
1.Does my house need a false ceiling?
It depends on your preferences. Besides the aesthetic appeal of it, false ceilings are functional features that improve acoustics, they cover unsightly wires and pipes, they can be designed around air conditioning ducts and lower electricity consumption. Moreover, you can opt for fireproof and moisture resistant designs as well.
2.How long do they last?
These false ceilings that are custom designed and made with high-quality POP and gypsum will last well beyond 20 years in normal conditions.
3.How do I design the best false ceiling?
A false ceiling is a ceiling made beneath the main ceiling of the room or building. In other words, it is the second layer of the roof suspended from the main roof with the help of metals or wooden frames. It is also known as dropped ceiling.
4.What are the types of false ceiling?
Types of false ceiling panels
- Plaster of Paris false ceiling.
- Gypsum false ceiling.
- Wood false ceiling.
- Fiber false ceiling.
- Metal false ceiling.
- Glass false ceiling.
- PVC false ceiling.
- Fabric and synthetic leather false ceiling.
5.Which is the best false ceiling?
With good quality metal frames, gypsum ceilings by Saint Gobain are quite durable. Since gypsum boards are made with precision in factories, the consistency in design is maintained which makes it the ideal material for the best false ceiling designs.
6.Is the false ceiling very expensive?
POP false ceiling is best suited for living rooms and bedrooms. The POP false ceiling price range of INR 135 to INR 195 per square foot. POP cornices or decorative moldings start at the price of INR 35 per foot.
Thank You For Reading Our Articles
Adding a false ceiling to an existing or new interior design plan enlivens the space. It also creates a cozy ambiance and earns brownie points for supporting lower energy bills!
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