All too often with interior design, the ceiling is often forgotten and seldom appreciated. To us the wall above holds limitless possibilities for creativity. Join us as we explore some ideas and examples from around our hotels and find out why the ceiling often gets referred to as ‘the 5th wall’ at our Design Studio.

Creating a feature…

Just like regular walls, the ceiling can easily be turned into a feature. In The Shooting Gallery at Haymarket Hotel, a detailed and coloured glass ceiling creates a bold statement. It elevates the space by allowing light to seep through opaque glass and this increases the sense of spaciousness. Mirrors reflect light from the ceiling as well as light from oversized beaded chandeliers, creating a room that feels like the life and soul of the party.

State of art…

We are creatures of habit and we tend to notice art directly in front of us, but look up and you’ll often discover artworks above your head at our hotels. In the lobby of Ham Yard Hotel and The Whitby Hotel, Hermione O’Shea’s loom artwork unfurls at an elevation. Colourful threads are held in tension on a frame as loom warp yarns link one wall to the other.

Paint…

Adding colour or a dark tone to your ceiling not only introduces another point of interest to a room, but it can also transform the atmosphere. At The Soho Hotel’s Crimson Bar, we have paired dark wallpaper with a black painted ceiling. This makes the space feel intimate and draws attention to the striking colours and details all around. It’s impossible to not feel energised here!

Patterns…

Paint is not the only medium that can be used on ceilings and if you are willing to go the extra mile, go bold with patterns! We did just that with our Day Room at The WOW!house. Here we adorned the ceiling with an unconventional, geometric fabric by Gaston y Daniela.

New dimensions…

Embracing the ceiling’s full design potential can lead to unexpected results. Our pool at Haymarket Hotel has a ceiling with hundreds of tiny fibre-optic lights. Combined with an ever-changing colourful light installation by Martin Richman, the environment can transform throughout the day. See how this space can change from a swimming pool to a dazzling event venue. We can even cover the pool to create a dancefloor or a space for tables. Explore this dynamic space further here.

Light up…

Lighting is integral to ceiling arrangements. Instead of placing one or two ceiling lights to serve their function, you could turn it up a notch by creating a unique and interesting display, akin to the one here in The Orangery at Ham Yard Hotel. This display draws attention with its woven lampshades hung at varying heights.

Rustic details…

At times the existing room shape and proportion can inspire your design. In room 417 at Covent Garden Hotel, exposed timber rafters with metal fixings strike a contrast from the room’s dusky pink walls and quirky yellow textiles. In this space, it’s all about the ceiling and the height of the traditional corona draws attention to this.

Always remember to look up! A ceiling should never be forgotten about when creating a scheme. If you’re confronted with sloping ceilings and walls going in every direction, find our guide ‘How to Transform an Awkward Space: Our Dos and Don’ts’ here.