Today, the design of houses in a rustic style is gaining increasing recognition, not only because of its unusual identity, but also due to cost savings, as it does not require large expenses. Sometimes it’s enough to use wallpaper with floral prints, adding a lot of wooden furniture and cozy details. The final point will be the decorative beams on the ceiling. They are never redundant in the interior of a country house, regardless of style.
Beams as a universal design element
They can be found in a very unexpected use case. They adorn both modern high-tech and majestic classics. As for the ethnic interior, the main stylistic feature here is precisely the decorative beams on the ceiling, the photos of which are presented below. Without them, it is impossible to create a realistic picture. Competent design is able to distinguish belonging to a certain style. The classic interior will add luxury to the ceiling design, covered with paintings, carvings and vignettes. Silver decoration and pastel colors are also used.
In this strict classic, lacquered decorative beams on a wooden ceiling with a smooth texture are suitable. Such models look great in a modern house. The difference is that such an interior is more suitable for bold decisions, so it is possible to use both neutral and flashy shades. Among the design solutions you can find blue, red and pink colors.
Metal beams are found in high-tech and loft. It is possible to form a structure from elements of other textures, but they must be painted with special paint to simulate steel shine. Brick masonry will be an excellent companion of beams in such interior options. Loft-style furnishings can be used both in the house and in a city small apartment. The shine of metal and glass, with the addition of “bare” light bulbs, a bit of facing brick, beams - the atmosphere is ready!
Colorful decorative beams on the ceiling with the effect of aged wood are good for a rural interior. They can have a rough texture, dark colors that do not have to be in harmony with the main tone of the space, since the contrast is very relevant here.
Beams in Provence are striking in their accuracy and grace, so the use of whitened options is a priority.
What types exist
Wooden structures are classics of the beam genre. This is the leading part of the rustic interior and eco style. Traditionally, pine, ash and oak are used to produce high-quality beams. They can be hollow and made from a solid array. The first option is used more often due to the ability to hide communications unsightly for the eye.
Metal beams are more modern, but their installation can not do without professional help, as they are heavy and too oversized. It is not worth saving here, since poor-quality fixing of the structure is too much a risk.
More budgetary are decorative beams on the ceiling made of polyurethane. Their cost is low, and installation does not require large time and financial costs. Such products are hollow inside and quite light. The material is not affected by high humidity and does not absorb odors, while it is possible to imitate the color and structure of wood, which is why it has become widespread in bathrooms and kitchens.
Installation Methods
Installation can be carried out by various methods. With a small size, the structure is fixed on liquid nails. For other cases, it is necessary to create a crate from a wooden or metal profile and use self-tapping screws. The combined method is relevant for heavy and long beams. Wooden blocks are formed on the ceiling onto which structural parts are attached with glue.
Color spectrum
The stylistic orientation directly affects the shade of the beams. To give expressiveness, emphasis is placed on contrast. So the design becomes the main element that attracts attention.
The interior will become soft through the use of beams having the color of the ceiling itself. However, they do not go unnoticed and add volume, dynamics and structure to the ceiling. A harmonious combination is made of decorative beams on the ceiling with a wooden structure or painted white.
There are many options for combining shades, it all depends on the features of the chosen interior solution. Beams can be a reflection of wooden furniture or floors, contrast with the ceiling or match the painted walls. There are no established canons.
It is worth remembering that space gains weightlessness through the use of white beams, while blacks make the atmosphere tough and graphic, and wooden structures bring peace to the interior, although they look a bit cold.
History
The beams that were present on the ceilings of old buildings, originally had by no means a decorative purpose. They were load-bearing structures that were used as an attic floor and took on the weight of the roof. Over time, the beams were considered superfluous and began to be hidden with the help of finishing. They were rehabilitated due to longing for a colorful design and now again become relevant, but only as a decorative element.
Where beams are used
Such details can be found in absolutely any room. They are able to decorate the kitchen, organically look in the bedroom and living room, will be useful in the hallway. The size of the room determines the number and their massiveness. For example, in a large living room, decorative beams on the ceiling can be used in unlimited quantities, while for a modest entrance hall you should not use more than two. When located on the ceiling of the kitchen, functionality is added in the form of hooks for all kinds of utensils and holders for wine glasses.
To each his own
Decorative beams on the ceiling are perceived differently. Someone certainly wants to build a massive structure in the usual "Khrushchev", and some owners of houses with load-bearing beams want to add functionality and make them less noticeable.
In terms of expanding functionality, the most commonly used is the involvement of structures in the lighting of space. It is possible to create very non-standard elements. For example, fixing a chandelier on chains and inserting point light elements into beams. Installation of luminaires with external mechanisms is rational when designing metal beams.
LED backlighting can be stacked on top of structures. This method will give the beam the effect of soaring in air. This design innovation is especially relevant when combining PVC films and beams.
Trimming is a common technique among designers. In this case, the decor and the aesthetic foundation remain the same. Decorative wooden beams on the ceiling with cable winding are common in ethnic, Mediterranean style and country.
If desired, you can get rid of beams by using the radical method - stitching. False ceilings are able to cope with this task.
How to fix decorative beams to the ceiling
The heaviest elements are made of wood, therefore, fixing of increased reliability is required here. You can make them from a beam yourself or purchase a ready-made version. In the first case, the choice of wood with shrinkage of not more than 12% and the absence of traces of rot and visible flaws is desirable. It is worth carrying out antiseptic treatment to protect the material from insects, mold and moisture.
The literacy of the installation design depends mainly on correctly applied markings. Before installation, it is recommended to mark the attachment points of the profiles with the help of an upholstery cord, tape measure and level, and only then take on further work.
Among the main advantages of polyurethane beams, it is worth noting the efficiency and simplicity of fasteners. All elements are lightweight, so the standard length of a polyurethane beam requires the use of only three wedges.
Space change
Do-it-yourself decorative beams on the ceiling are easy to do. They are able to adjust the geometry of the room. It is possible to expand the room visually due to structures fixed along the width of the ceiling, and for extension, the components are mounted in the form of perpendicular lines.
If the ceilings seem too low, then it is worth making a continuation of the beams on the walls themselves. Crisscrossing will not bring adjustments to the space, but will add volume to the ceiling. High ceilings allow you to lower the beams to the desired distance and fix on the walls.
Useful features
On the longitudinal center line of the future location of the beams, you can place any communications that will become invisible after installation. This solution is very convenient, since there is no need to carry out complex work on drawing communications in the walls or under the floor with expensive and energy-intensive gating. In this case, there will be no unnecessary material and time expenses, as with separate concealment of heating of air and water types, air conditioning and ventilation systems.
It should be noted that the communications located in the subceiling space are not only invisible, but also protected from mechanical damage. Moreover, the installation of decorative beams on the ceiling provides many options for translating ideas.
Conclusion
The history of beams begins in the distant Middle Ages, and today it is possible to create an interior that resembles old castles, and add the appropriate atmosphere. A similar decoration technique has become a convenient way to hide certain structural flaws of the room. A room that has decorative beams on the ceiling takes on a clear, regular shape; it is cozy and spacious in it. Therefore, when arranging a country house or apartment, it is worth paying attention to them. Perhaps they will become the main part of the entire interior.