During the renovation of an apartment, a variety of work is undertaken: plumbing is replaced, walls are finished, floors are laid and, of course, the ceiling is decorated. There are many options: suspended or suspended ceiling in the living room, covering with plastic panels or metal slats, wallpapering.
A suspended ceiling in the living room is the most modern, most versatile solution. This option is exceptionally decorative and diverse: there are at least 6 types of suspended ceilings based on texture type alone. And there is no way to list the color variety.
In addition to the fact that stretch ceilings are very attractive, they are practical, very durable and extremely unpretentious.
Stretch ceiling - what is it?
A stretch ceiling or structure is a canvas made of different materials that is stretched over the ceiling. It is secured around the entire perimeter using metal profiles. Recently, metal has been replaced with plastic, but this does not affect the durability of the structure.
The materials from which canvases are made are very different. But PVC film is considered the most popular. It can also be replaced with synthetic textiles.
Tools and materials
Purchase all items in advance so as not to interrupt work:
- For accurate marking you will need a building level. It is best if it is laser, but a regular bubble one will do. You will also need a permanent marker or a pencil with a ruler and a tapping string.
- You'll have to work with a file. Prepare 2-3 canvases. One for wood, the other for metal, and it’s better to take a couple of spare ones, as they can break. Keep keys within sight for quick blade changes.
- The power tool you will need is a screwdriver. A conventional drill is used if the house has wooden floors. You can’t do without a hammer drill with reinforced concrete. Drills with pobedite tips are used.
- It is best to heat the film with a hair dryer. An alternative option is a gas heat gun with a connected cylinder. The latter option is even more often used, since the film heats up quickly and evenly, and you don’t have to drag an extension cord across the floor, as is the case with a hairdryer.
- Of course, you also need a regular hammer, as well as a set of spatulas. The shoulder blades should be curved.
- A stepladder is a mandatory element.
- You will also need a high-quality stationery knife with replaceable blades.
Dowels with self-tapping screws are used as fasteners. For quick gluing you will need a second of super glue. In addition to your own canvas with harpoons attached around the perimeter, rings made of temperature-resistant plastic will be useful.
They are used for mounting lighting fixtures. Prepare the profile used as embeds in advance. Buy additional small self-tapping screws, popularly called “bugs”.
Main types of suspended ceilings
The design of suspended ceilings in the living room can be different. The shade and pattern are chosen based on the basic design concept of the entire room.
Canvases are usually divided into types according to the material from which they are made. They come in: Matte; With photo printing; Glossy; Fabric; Satin. We will consider each type in detail.
Ceiling design options
Any renovation begins with the ceiling; the interior design of the entire room largely depends on its completeness, design and construction. Today there are a lot of options for finishing the ceiling. They are selected based on the preferences of the owners, the purpose of the premises and, of course, cost. When it comes to saving money, classic budget options are chosen - painting and whitewashing, wallpaper or polystyrene panels. Suspended ceilings are relatively inexpensive, but at the same time more practical and aesthetically pleasing. And, of course, when the cost of repairs is not so important, luxurious stretch ceilings can be an acceptable option.
Let's try to describe each type of finish in detail to help you choose the best option.
Matte stretch ceilings
This type is great for small rooms. The smooth matte surface allows you to visually enlarge the ceiling and choose any form of room lighting.
Matte stretch ceilings are great for decorating a living room in a classic style. The surface is perfect, without seams or any irregularities.
Fashionable ceilings for 2021-2022 (+ new items)
Today, designers are moving away from the usual classics in the form of simple, white ceilings.
When creating interiors, original motifs and elements play a dominant role. We have collected several proposals that will allow you to choose not only the most beautiful, but also the most fashionable ceiling for 2021-2022. Mirror effect. It is not necessary to install the mirror on the ceiling; it is enough to place it on a small area of the ceiling.
Sculpted ceiling. Using a sculpted ceiling is a great way to create a ceiling that is not only stylish, but also unique.
Textile. Quite expensive? Yes. Difficult? Yes, but it's worth it. Fabric ceilings are always popular with the world's leading designers.
Geometric patterns and drawings. The combination of several geometric shapes and laconic lines is a bold and original solution for the living room or kitchen.
Glossy
In this case, lamps on the suspended ceiling are not needed. The film reflects any lighting. Therefore, lighting fixtures can be hung on the walls.
This type of ceiling is also called mirrored. It is suitable for small and dark rooms. This will allow you to make it lighter.
But if you decide to place the lamps at the top, then the effect will pleasantly surprise you, because they will create the effect of a starry sky.
Comparative characteristics of ceiling coverings
All ceiling tiles have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages and disadvantages can be analyzed to select a ceiling covering that will maintain the quality and visual appeal of the interior.
Table. Advantages and disadvantages of modern types of ceilings.
Ceiling type Advantages / Disadvantages
| Stretch ceiling | Luxurious appearance, smooth surface, clean and quick installation, moisture resistance. Ability to handle large amounts of water in case of flooding. | High price, complex installation using specialized equipment, easy mechanical damage. Options with foil are sensitive to temperature changes. |
| Drywall | Possibility of installing multi-level covering. Does not require foundation preparation. Ventilated space under the ceiling. Retains heat, absorbs noise, and is resistant to mechanical damage. | Low resistance to moisture. Framing required. Additional finishing required. Difficult to install and require special skills. |
| Felling trees | Natural and ecological. Creates a cozy atmosphere. Retains heat and absorbs noise. | It is afraid of moisture, loosens when temperature and humidity fluctuate, which leads to the appearance of cracks. |
| Wallpaper | Low price. Can be assembled by yourself. | Seams are coming apart, corners are peeling due to changes in humidity. Short-lived. Foundation preparation required. Burns out. |
| Suspended ceiling | Long service life, easy to maintain, resistant to moisture and high temperatures. | "Eats high." High price. Fragile. |
| Finishing ceiling | Does not require surface preparation and does not significantly reduce height. Allows you to build large volumes. | Difficult to install. |
Choosing a ceiling covering is a responsible decision. Only by carefully thinking through the project and choosing the right material, you will be able to use all the advantages and compensate for the shortcomings of the room, creating a unique and stylish design.
Satin
Quite a popular option. Experts consider a satin ceiling to be something in between. The color of the stretch ceiling in the living room may vary. It depends on the color of the wallpaper and furniture. For example, a light tone is perfect for small rooms.
It will make the room brighter and increase the ceiling height. Satin coverings are suitable for creating a homely atmosphere and additional comfort.
Levels
Mounting systems for suspended ceilings allow installation at several levels. This option makes it possible not only to hide communications, but also to arrange multi-point lighting. However, for low ceilings, you should stick to a single-tier layout so as not to further reduce the height of the room.
For rooms with high ceilings, two-level and multi-level systems can be used. The first option is the most common, as it does not complicate the design too much and at the same time makes the room more original. This method allows you to use fabrics of different textures or colors, visually changing and enlarging the space.
Complex options with several tiers can only be used in large living rooms.
Fabric stretch ceilings
This type is very practical and convenient. Fabrics are not afraid of temperature changes and excessive moisture, which is why they can be installed not only in an apartment, but also in a country house.
It is much easier to install than other types. After installation there are no seams, and no special heating equipment is required.
Work on installation and fastening of lighting
Installation of interior lighting can be done in absolutely any way. The tape can be hidden in a Velcro box with a special shelf for lighting, closed with translucent drywall, or installed without the use of additional equipment.
Having previously familiarized yourself with the stretch ceiling lighting system, you can install it very quickly and easily on your own.
- To do this, it is necessary to create a special frame from a galvanized profile on the ceiling in advance, in which the lighting elements are fixed and only then the suspended ceiling is mounted.
- The shelf design can be created using white PVC film with an image on it. You can print any image in a printing house that has machines for working with such materials.
When making a stretch ceiling with lighting and photo printing, it is best to place the light bulbs on canvas, as this can create a completely unusual perception of the printed image.
Before installing a stretch ceiling, it is very important to correctly create a layout of lamps, because the fabric is synthetic and heats up very quickly and can be seriously damaged due to high temperatures.
Stretch ceiling with lighting
Backlighting allows you to create additional lighting. If you decide to install an LED strip, then you can completely abandon the wall lamps and chandeliers.
This type of decoration of suspended ceilings is the most common. Relief ceilings look especially advantageous. The luminous tape emphasizes the advantages of such a ceiling and creates the effect of weightlessness. If you don't look closely, it seems as if the curtains are hanging in the air.
With photo printing
Modern interiors are often complemented by ceilings with prints made using photo printing techniques. This idea allows you to transfer any motif specified by the customer onto the canvas. It could be a blue sky with clouds, starry space, a picture from a famous fresco, etc. Any bold idea can easily be transferred to a suspended ceiling and become a highlight of interiors.
Two-level stretch ceilings in the living room
Two-level ceilings are especially popular. They allow you to visually enlarge the room and make it wider. In addition, they look very beautiful in any interior.
Installation of this type allows you to turn any design solutions into reality. As for colors, the color of the canvas can be any.
The two-level ceiling looks very beautiful and impressive. The interior of suspended ceilings in the living room should not differ much from the design style of the room.
For example, it will look ridiculous if the entire living room is decorated in high-tech style, and the stretch ceiling is made in a classic style. The main thing is harmony in everything and then your home will attract guests.
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Lighting
For the living room, it is very important to have the right level of lighting so that no corner is left in the shade. Therefore, the number and type of lamps must be planned in advance.
To achieve an unusual floating ceiling effect, you can place linear LED lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling or floor. In addition, this option will create the illusion of unevenness.
Spotlights create diffused light that fills the entire space and is used as main or additional lighting. Linear and point systems look especially original in two-level ceiling systems. By separating them and connecting them in turn, you can reduce or increase the brightness of the lighting.
In a traditional interior there will be a central chandelier. This light source is easy to install in a suspended ceiling. Additionally, you can use table and floor lamps.
Moreover, instead of chandeliers, designers use pendant lamps to illuminate a separate area in their work.
Photo of a stretch ceiling in the living room
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How to calculate the required number of spotlights
When developing a scheme, the question always arises: how many lamps are needed. In general, it is believed that 20 W are needed to illuminate one square meter of floor area. When calculating, you need to take into account how much lamp power you plan to use. If it is 30-35 W, then it turns out that one lamp can illuminate 1.5 squares (30 W / 20 W/m² = 1.5 m²). Next, divide the area of the room by 1.5, you get the number of lamps that will need to be installed for normal illumination. In this case, there will be enough light for full illumination.
The location of spotlights on the ceiling is not easy to choose
When drawing up a diagram for placing lamps on the ceiling, this number can be slightly adjusted in both directions, adjusting to the type of room. For example, for a bedroom the number can be reduced - it doesn’t require too much light, but for the living room or corridor you can increase it - here it’s better to have some excess. True, in this case it is advisable for the lamps to be turned on in parts - it is advisable to vary the degree of illumination. There should be at least two options: full and partial coverage. To do this, the lamps - through one or some other circuit - are connected to two switch keys.
When using incandescent lamps in spotlights, you can install a dimmer, which will allow you to smoothly change the brightness of the lighting by turning the knob. In general, there are many options. And we haven’t yet gotten to the layout of the spots on the ceiling.
