How to Decorate a Bedroom With High Ceilings (Without Making It Feel Empty)

Have you ever walked into a bedroom with soaring ceilings and felt like something was… off? While high ceilings bring grandeur, they often create a disconnect between the upper and lower halves of the room — making the space feel cold or cavernous. Let’s explore the smartest ways to style your bedroom with high ceilings and finally make it feel intentional, balanced, and livable.

Key Takeaways

• Use vertical design elements like tall headboards and full-height curtains.
• Create intimacy with color, texture, and lighting placement.
• Avoid “dead zones” at the top of walls by using molding, paneling, or statement ceilings.
• Anchor the room with bold features like oversized art or dramatic light fixtures.
• Break up wall height visually to prevent a disconnected or echoey space.

Make High Ceilings Feel Cozy With Color

Tall walls often feel empty or cold because of how color behaves at a larger scale. By using the right paint strategy, you can bring visual warmth and harmony back to your bedroom.

• Warm mid-tones and darker shades (like navy, charcoal, or warm beige) help compress the space visually.
• Consider painting the ceiling the same or darker shade than the walls. It draws the eye downward and eliminates harsh contrasts.
• Two-tone walls (with a picture rail or chair rail) can visually shorten the wall height.

Use Tall Headboards to Fill Vertical Space

Standard headboards look lost in rooms with 10-foot+ ceilings. Opt for extra-tall or extended headboards to balance out the vertical expanse.

• Choose upholstered panels that reach halfway up the wall or even to the ceiling.
• Try custom wall-mounted headboards (padded or wooden slats) for a luxury hotel vibe.
• Pair with tall lamps or sconces for added vertical symmetry.

This trick immediately “grounds” the bed and visually connects the upper and lower parts of the wall.

Add Architectural Interest With Statement Ceilings

Instead of ignoring the vast blank overhead, turn it into a focal point.

• Install coffered ceilings or exposed beams for rustic charm.
• Add ceiling wallpaper or ornate molding to highlight the volume.
• Use wood planks, tin tiles, or painted paneling to soften echo and draw attention upward.

This not only adds character but breaks the “white void” that high ceilings often become.

Install Oversized Lighting Fixtures for Balance

Small lights get lost in tall rooms. Oversized fixtures help bridge the vertical disconnect and fill empty ceiling space.

• Use chandeliers or drum pendants that hang at least 30-36″ from the ceiling.
• In double-height rooms, multi-tiered lights offer the best proportion.
• Adjustable hanging rods or chains allow you to tweak drop height.

Layer Curtains From Ceiling to Floor

Curtains are a powerful visual trick in tall bedrooms. Hanging them correctly can make your space feel finished and luxurious.

• Install curtain rods close to the ceiling or crown molding, not just above the window.
• Choose full-length panels that kiss the floor — never too short.
• Go for rich textures (velvet, linen blends) in warmer hues to add softness.

Pro tip: For a modern layered look, combine sheer underlayers with opaque outer panels.

Use Accent Walls to Anchor the Room

A room with high ceilings can feel like it’s “floating” without an anchor wall.

• Try dark-painted walls, wood slat installations, or textured wallpaper behind the bed.
• Vertical shiplap or board-and-batten walls add both scale and texture.
• Stone, brick, or even fabric panels work well to create depth.

This is especially useful if your bed is floating in the middle of a large space — the wall becomes a natural visual “backdrop.”

Incorporate Tall Mirrors and Artwork

Walls over 9 feet beg for large-scale artwork or mirrors to fill vertical voids.

• Install vertical mirrors (full-length or oversized arched mirrors) for depth and light reflection.
• Hang gallery-style arrangements that go up the wall — not just eye level.
• Use one or two large art pieces instead of several small ones for balance.

Mirrors also bounce light around, which is ideal for bedrooms where the upper third can feel dim or disconnected.

Add Canopy Beds or Drapery to Lower the Eye

When a room feels too tall, visual weight at mid-height helps restore balance. Canopy beds or ceiling-mounted drapery can create a cozy “cocoon” effect in an oversized vertical space.

• Choose a four-poster or canopy bed with light drapery for elegance.
• Hang drapes from the ceiling over the head of the bed or around a reading nook.
• Use sheer or light-filtering fabrics to prevent the room from feeling boxed in.

This creates a human-scale experience in tall bedrooms — making the sleeping zone feel tucked in and protected.

Divide Wall Space With Molding or Paneling

Tall walls can appear monotonous or even intimidating. The solution? Break them up horizontally with architectural detail.

• Use picture rails, chair rails, or wainscoting to divide the wall visually.
• Consider installing box molding or grid paneling to add depth and structure.
• Paint the sections in contrasting colors for a two-tone design that shortens wall perception.

These techniques work especially well in bedrooms with 12'+ ceilings where the upper portion often feels disconnected.

Bring in Vertical Shelving or Bookcases

Instead of ignoring tall walls, use them for functional storage and design impact.

• Install floor-to-ceiling bookcases or shelving to emphasize height with purpose.
• Consider ladder-style shelving or built-ins for a library effect.
• Use the upper shelves for decor — baskets, plants, or ambient lighting.

This approach also lets you fill space without cluttering the lower half of the room.

Create Warmth With Textures and Layers

High ceilings can make a space feel echoey or too open. Solve that with tactile richness.

• Layer rugs, throws, and bedding in varied materials — wool, linen, boucle.
• Use upholstered furniture, padded benches, and fabric wall panels to absorb sound.
• Add textured light fixtures, like rattan or fabric-covered shades.

Designers often use this approach in modern lofts to tone down the coldness that volume can bring.

Use Pendant Lights or Chandeliers Strategically

As covered earlier, large lighting fixtures help fill overhead space. But placement is just as critical.

• In very tall bedrooms, hang chandeliers directly over the bed or central space to draw the eye.
• Use cluster pendants at different heights to break monotony.
• Complement with wall sconces or low lamps to pull attention back down.

Avoid single flush mounts in extra-tall rooms — they will feel lost in the void.

Paint the Ceiling a Bold or Dark Color

A bold or dark-painted ceiling creates instant intimacy and visually “drops” the height.

• Try navy, charcoal, or even black if you want drama.
• For a cozier touch, use deep clay tones or dusky greens.
• Paint moldings or beams in the same color for full effect.

Psychologically, dark ceilings feel closer — a trick often used in boutique hotels.

Maximize Space With Lofted Zones or Storage Ideas

In homes where the ceilings are over 12 feet, you may have enough clearance to add actual structure.

• Build a lofted sleeping or reading nook with access via stairs or ladder.
• Use the upper wall zone for closed cabinets or seasonal storage.
• Add a floating desk or shelf setup near the top if the architecture allows.

This makes high ceilings not just decorative — but functional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you make a high ceiling bedroom feel cozy?

Use warm tones, dark or textured ceilings, oversized lighting, and vertical layering (curtains, headboards) to create intimacy.

What kind of lighting works best in bedrooms with high ceilings?

Oversized chandeliers, hanging pendants, and wall sconces all work well. Scale and drop height are key — avoid small fixtures too close to the ceiling.

Should you paint high ceilings a different color?

Yes. A darker or bolder ceiling color can visually lower the room and make it feel more intimate. Just ensure enough lighting is available.

Is a canopy bed good for tall bedrooms?

Absolutely. Canopy beds visually lower the ceiling and help define the space around the bed, especially when paired with ceiling drapery.

Can I install a ceiling fan in a high-ceiling bedroom?

Yes — but use an extended downrod (12–24”) to ensure proper air circulation. Look for fans specifically rated for vaulted or tall ceilings.

Designing a bedroom with high ceilings isn’t about minimizing height — it’s about embracing verticality with intention. From oversized lighting and tall headboards to rich ceiling treatments and layered textures, you have the opportunity to transform an empty-feeling space into a cozy, luxurious retreat.

By balancing proportion, scale, and softness, you not only make the space feel cohesive — you unlock its full design potential. Whether it’s through architectural details, bold color, or clever storage, decorating tall bedrooms is your chance to think upward without feeling overwhelmed.

High ceilings are a gift. Now you know how to decorate them.