Decorating Home Features 25 Coffered Ceiling Ideas That Add Character to Any Room These detailed ceilings can easily elevate both traditional and modern spaces. By Abby Wolner Abby Wolner Abby Wolner is a freelance writer trained in journalism through Drake University. She is a former food writer and contributor to Better Homes & Gardens. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on January 25, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Werner Segarra A coffered ceiling can take any room to the next level by adding charm and character. Whether you're building a new home, adding a second story, or refreshing an existing room, adding coffered ceilings can bring charm and coziness, as well as grandeur and elegance. They're most commonly seen in living rooms, dens, kitchens, and bedrooms, but you can add them to almost any space. Traditionally made by carving recesses into the ceiling, you can construct your own coffered ceilings by adding wood beams in a grid pattern to an existing ceiling. When installing coffered ceilings, make sure your ceiling is at least nine feet high, and also consider how decorative you want your beams to be. The more traditional your home, the more moldings you'll want to add. If you're considering a ceiling refresh, take inspiration from these ways to build or style a coffered ceiling. From painted and natural wood options to both modern and traditional styles, these are our best coffered ceiling ideas. 20 Wood Ceiling Ideas That Add Rustic Charm 01 of 25 Contrasting Beams Laura Moss Coffered ceilings are natural place to add natural wood tones to an otherwise painted room. The naturally stained beams in this kitchen ground the room and give it a cozier, more traditional feeling. Choose a stain that complements the rest of the room by looking at undertones: The warm green here is complemented by a dark honey stain. 02 of 25 Modern Coffered Ceiling Ann VanderWiel Wilde Coffered ceilings can work in a modern home, especially one that leans transitional. Here, steel framing and clean lines ground the space as modern, while the finishes and furnishings feel traditional. The coffers bridge the two design styles with their square, undecorated profile and gray-blonde wood casing. 03 of 25 Painted Coffered Ceiling Emily Followill Coffers are supposed to be decorative, so don't be afraid to enhance the look with a bold paint color. The mid-tone green paint shade used here coordinates with the other jewel tones in the room to enhance the overall maximalist look. The 10 Best Interior Paints of 2024 for Your Living Room, Bedroom, Bathroom, and Kitchen 04 of 25 Coffered Ceiling Grid Size Werner Straube When installing coffers in a new build, carefully consider the size of the grid. Coffers elevate the look of this kitchen, but given all the other millwork in the room, a smaller grid might have been overwhelming. This large rectangle shape complements without overbearing. 23 Timeless Kitchen Design Ideas That Are Here to Stay 05 of 25 Add Lighting to a Coffered Ceiling Andreas Trauttmansdorff Adding lights, whether flush-mount or recessed, to each coffer is a way to highlight the design feature. The small polished nickel and glass fixtures used here are a fun, unique way to get bright overhead light while playing with the architecture. 26 Kitchen Lighting Ideas That Make a Statement 06 of 25 Highlight an Arched Ceiling Ryann Ford Shallow coffers with simple millwork brings a dose of classical character to this bedroom. Using coffers on a curved ceiling highlights the dramatic shape, and painting the ceiling the same color as the rest of the room ensures a soothing and not-at-all overwhelming look. These Vaulted Ceiling Ideas Create a Dramatic Living Space 07 of 25 Diagonal Coffered Ceiling Ryann Ford With a little more math (or the help of a contractor), you can install a square grid at an angle for a more dramatic and decorative style. This arrangement creates more movement than straight-set grids, which helps this traditional room feel less stuffy. How a Statement Ceiling Can Breathe New Life into Your Space 08 of 25 Subtle Coffered Ceiling Werner Straube A wide-grid coffered ceiling painted to match the rest of the trim goes a long way in making this kitchen feel cozy and old-world, Adding beams lowers ceiling height (so be sure your ceiling is at least nine feet tall), which can ground a space that feels too cavernous or modern. 09 of 25 All-Wood Coffered Ceiling Karyn Millet Wood panels are placed into the coffers of this ceiling for an all-over wood look that's warm and complements the Spanish style of the home. You can achieve something similar by staining thin panels of wood the same color as your beams. 10 of 25 Painted Beams Annie Schlechter Painting your beams a unique color from the rest of the room helps them stand out and adds a bold pop of color to what can otherwise be a very traditional look. Painting can also help you highlight special features of your coffered ceiling, such as the diamond shape in the center of this room. Our Best Tips for Selecting a Ceiling Color That Suits Your Space 11 of 25 Traditional Coffered Ceiling James Nathan Schroder An all-wood coffered ceiling with decorative millwork is traditional to Victorian-era homes. If you have a natural wood coffered ceiling in your home, consider leaving the wood exposed, rather than painting it, to honor the home's history and intended look. This look works well in formal rooms like dining or sitting rooms, but it can also translate to a woodsy den or game room. 15 Dramatic Modern Victorian Decor Ideas 12 of 25 Disguise Support Beams Edmund Barr One reason people install coffered ceilings is to disguise necessary support beams in their home. Here, the deep crossbeam is likely a support beam, but nestled within a coffer design, it looks intentional and becomes decorative. 13 of 25 Add Moldings to a Coffered Ceiling Erik Kvalsvik Decorative moldings make a coffered ceiling look more traditional and grand. Here, moldings are placed within the coffers and on the lowest edges of the beams to further adorn this formal living room. If your room is more casual, use simple moldings or no moldings at all. 14 of 25 Rustic Coffered Ceiling Brie Williams Raw wood beams and a plank ceiling form a rustic but grand coffered ceiling in this woodsy kitchen. The large-scale grid pattern is another thing that makes this ceiling look more provincial than other styles. 20 Modern Rustic Design Ideas That Combine Simple and Sleek 15 of 25 Add Depth to High Ceilings Julie Soefer Coffered ceilings can be just the thing to add interest and presence to a high-ceilinged room. Even when it's painted white, the hand-crafted feel of a coffered ceiling makes the room feel warmer and more welcoming. Here, simple cove molding is applied to mimic the restrained elegance of the rest of the room. 16 of 25 Historic Coffered Ceiling John Gruen Hand-hewn wooden beams interlock to create a charming coffered ceiling even if it's not. Use reclaimed wood or distress new lumber for a similar look. 17 of 25 Modern Coffered Ceiling John Bessler This ceiling features a large, center coffer, surrounded by spoke-like beams that define the rest of the ceiling. The arrangement feels open and allows the modern chandelier to take the focus, rather than the ceiling. 20 Ways to Try the Ceiling Maximalism Trend 18 of 25 Raw Wood Coffered Ceiling Jean Allsopp The raw wood of this coffered ceiling paired with sleek cabinetry and accessories creates an interesting contrast that feels old world and modern at the same time. Incorporating natural wood is a way to make new builds feel more like historic homes. As the wood patinas, you won't be able to tell what era this kitchen was built. 19 of 25 Shallow Coffered Ceiling Stacy Zarin Goldberg Despite having tall ceilings, this kitchen incorporates shallow, square coffers. This creates a lifting effect, unlike deeper coffers, which bring the ceiling down. Mimic this technique if your ceiling is on the shorter side. How to Paint a Ceiling: Top Tips for a Streak-Free Finish 20 of 25 Painted Coffered Ceiling John Bessler Painting your coffered ceiling the same color as your trim (and in this case, the walls) is an easy modern update to this traditional feature. If you leave the coffers white, as shown here, the eye will travel upward, emphasizing the height of the room. If you paint the coffers to match, the room will have a more enclosed, cozy feel. Designers Share Favorite Gray, Blue, and Other Ceiling Paint Colors 21 of 25 Choosing the Right Wood Tone Werner Segarra This kitchen combines modern and rustic design elements for an overall sleek look. The coffers, in a mid-tone gray-brown, fit into the transitional look and echo the color of the cabinetry. If you're unsure what color your beams should be, test different stains to see how different colors affect the rest of the room. 22 of 25 Contemporary Coffered Ceiling Edmund Barr The trick to incorporating a traditional element like coffers in a modern room is simplifying the lines. With a large rectangular grid and a plain, square profile, this coffered design brings style-character to the room. 23 of 25 Wallpapered Coffered Ceiling Joseph Keller Accessories and color palette bring playfulness to the traditional features of this room, and the ceiling fits right in. Green grasscloth wallpaper adds softness, and it's neutral enough that they could suit a different color palette in the future. 8 Designer-Approved Ways to Try the Wallpaper Ceiling Trend 24 of 25 Triangular Coffered Ceiling Werner Segarra Triangular coffers carve out an 'X' shape, drawing your eye to the center of this sleek home office. While a small square grid could have worked, this more modern style speaks to the mix of modern and traditional elsewhere in the room. 9 Ceiling Paint Colors Designers Love That Aren’t White 25 of 25 Coffered Ceiling with Wood Paneling Ed Gohlich For the ultimate den or library, pairing a natural wood coffered ceiling with wood paneling creates a cozy space to while away the hours. While dark or mid-tone stain is traditional, lighter wood tones may feel more rustic or modern depending on your style. 30 Wall Paneling Ideas That Add Instant Character to Any Room Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit