Bringing a Ceiling Lower by Decorating

Painting

• 1

  Determine your preferred height for the frieze molding. Nine feet from the floor is a common measurement for ceilings over 10 feet. Use a tape measure and mark the spot with pencil on your wall. Continue to measure and mark every few feet until you have completed the entire room.

• 2

  Make a horizontal line around the room by applying painters tape over your marks. This will designate your painting area. Tape around windows or door frames to avoid any paint spatter.

• 3

  Use a paintbrush to cut the paint above the taped area, the corners of the room, around windows and the joint between the floor and the ceiling.

• 4

  Paint the ceiling with a paint roller. Continue to paint the walls above the tape line. Apply a second coat as needed.

• 5

  Allow the paint to dry completely.

Molding

• 6

  Cut all of the corner miter and butt joints on the molding prior to installation. Lay the molding in place on the floor to confirm your measurements are correct.

• 7

  Begin in an inconspicuous corner, such as behind a door, as your ending piece of molding will probably not match the joint.

• 8

  Apply a continuous bead of construction adhesive one quarter-inch from the top, bottom and butt edges of the molding.

• 9

  Gently apply the molding in place. Remove excess adhesive with a damp cloth.

• 10

  Repeat until the room is completed.

Decor

• 11

  Use table lamps to light the lower area of the room and keep focus at eye level.

• 12

  Hang large pictures or wall groupings. Small items will appear lost.

• 13

  Place tall items such as a decorative tree in the corners of the room to prompt attention upward.