How To Decorate Slanted Ceilings To Fully Embrace Their Potential

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Slanted ceilings in a home are one of those funny features that many people have mixed feelings about. On one hand, their awkward shape can make it tricky to design around. On the other hand, their unique angles bring a lot of potential. They can instantly add character, charm, and sometimes even coziness to a space — especially when decorated creatively. More common in older homes, particularly Tudor-style houses, slanted ceilings are often found in top-floor bedrooms, attics, and lofts. One of their biggest downsides is that these spaces can feel cramped and cave-like because the slope cuts into the size of the room. Luckily, even small updates — like patterned wallpaper — can breathe new life into the space.

If you're thinking about adding wallpaper to your room with slanted ceilings, there are two ways you could go about it. The first is to keep it classic by applying wallpaper to the walls and leaving the ceiling white. This contrast draws attention to the ceiling, embracing it as an architectural feature. The second option is to extend the wallpaper onto the ceilings — similar to color drenching with paint — for a cohesive look that also hides the awkward angles. A subtle floral patterned wallpaper, for example, would complement the rustic, cottage-like feel that these ceilings often create. Hanging wallpaper overhead is a little different than hanging it on your walls, though, so make sure you're up to date on all the things you need to know before adding wallpaper to your ceiling.

If you don't mind getting yourself into a bigger project, another amazing upgrade you could give to your slanted ceilings is installing skylights. Rooms with these ceilings often lack window space, so skylights would be a great addition to bring in some more natural light and ultimately make the room feel bigger and brighter. Hanging pendant lights, meanwhile — like this Nathan James Belleville Boho Rattan Sloped Ceiling Pendant Light set can offer a similar effect with less hassle. And since slanted ceilings are often at eye level, don't forget you can decorate them as you would a wall, with framed art. Of course, to keep art and photographs flush against the slanted ceiling, you will need a metal-rail hanging system. 

Once you've decided on a design plan for your slanted ceilings, the next step is figuring out what you want to do with the awkward space they can leave behind. Instead of leaving it empty, consider incorporating some extra storage. IKEA and slanted ceilings are actually a match made in heaven because they have plenty of adaptable storage units, such as the TROFAST stepped shelf frame, that could be customized to fit snugly beneath the slope. Alternatively, a low chest of drawers or rows of open shelving could also provide extra storage — and the latter would double as a stylish place to display books and decorative items. And speaking of books — while the awkward spaces created by slanted ceilings can be hard to fit furniture into, a built-in bench with big, comfy cushions would immediately give you a cozy reading nook you'll never want to leave. A small desk, on the other hand, would perfectly transform the space into a compact, tucked-away workspace.