Drop Ceilings Birmingham AL: 14 Types of Ceilings

The last thing you probably think about when you’re considering designing or remodeling your home is your ceiling. We get it, ceilings are just there. 

We know they are important, but never consider them beyond being happy we have one between us and the elements.

Wait, don’t underestimate how much a ceiling can do. Sure, there are regular ceilings, but there are also ceilings that can greatly enhance the entire look of a room or house.

There are so many different types of ceilings. We’ve gathered 14 different ceiling types ranging from vaulted ceilings to ceilings with exposed beams. Check them out to see how dynamic ceilings really are.

Before we get started, remember that there are many variations of each one of these styles listed below. These are just a few examples of each.

Nothing brings character to a room like a vaulted ceiling. Vaulted ceilings are an umbrella term for any elevated ceiling. 

They rise, giving your room an open feeling. We love that they aren’t flat, but rise up giving you some dynamic styles to design around.

Yes, cathedral ceilings are technically also vaulted ceilings, but they are so much more. They bring a dramatic, spectacular look to any room they tower over, rising like a church cathedral overhead. 

Cathedral ceilings are typically symmetrical, with each side matching the other, rising to meet in the middle.

A shed ceiling sounds basic, but trust us, it isn’t. We love shed ceilings, another type of vaulted ceiling, because they give you a modern style. 

Most shed ceilings rise upward from a lower point, but only have one leg. Sometimes the rise is sharp, other times more subtle. Either way, the look it creates is fantastic. 

Sometimes, extra windows are added near the top that let the natural light shine in to illuminate the whole space.

Cove ceilings have many different designs. The concept behind a cove ceiling is one that elevates towards the center in a gradual manner. 

Sometimes there is a steep rise while others are more gradual. Often, there are steps upward.

A beamed ceiling is one in which the beams of the ceiling are exposed rather than covered. Beamed ceilings take on all kinds of looks. 

Sometimes there are only a few beams and other times there are a dozen or more. We love this type of ceiling because of how visually compelling it can make a room. 

It can add a rustic style, but just as easily works with more contemporary designs.

Barrel vault ceilings have an arch that runs the length of the room.

This can create a European sense of style that you’ll find are often finished with brick. The name comes from the fact that it looks like a barrel cut in half.

Though tall ceilings are common in many different types we’ve shown here, we wanted to talk about how much appeal they can bring to a room. 

Regular ceilings have an average height of 8 foot, while taller ceilings can rise much higher. They give a room or home a spacious sense of style and let your decor imagination run wild.

A tray ceiling can share characteristics with a cove ceiling. You can see the name comes from the fact that it looks like an inverted tray, with the center having more depth that the rest of the ceiling. 

This type of ceiling helps to open up even smaller rooms by creating a wonderful open style throughout a room. You can get creative with lighting in rooms with a tray ceiling.

If you’re looking for a bit of elegance, a coffered ceiling is the way to go. Coffered ceilings take the same approach as a beamed ceiling, but use crown molding to enhance the look. 

Usually, you’ll see they create a square of rectangular pattern that simply looks amazing.

Dome ceilings have a spherical center that rises like a dome. They range widely in size. 

Some take up an entire room while others just part of the room. Dome ceilings are wonderful ways to create a dramatic and elegant look in your home.

We love dramatic angles and curves. That’s what you get with a groin vault ceiling. 

Consisting of partial domes and arches, a groin vault ceiling creates a stylish raised look that can look wonderful in kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms.

A suspended ceiling is common in offices, but can also look great in houses!

You will often see that they are lower than the main portion of the ceiling, held in place by hidden (or not hidden in industrial styles) cables.

We know that the industrial look is popular, so an exposed ceiling had to make the list. 

Exposed ceilings are ones in which the inner workings of the home (air ducts, wires, etc) are shown instead of covered. This type of ceiling can look amazing in loft spaces.