The living room is the main place in the house for receiving guests. It is here that all family members gather to watch interesting films, celebrations, tea parties and just a joint rest. The interior of the living room is able to talk about the tastes, habits and material well-being of the owner of the room.
Many designers choose a universal solution for decorating the living room ceiling - stretch ceilings. Modern manufacturers of these products offer models of various sizes, designs, textures and colors, so you can choose the optimal stretch ceiling in any room. Today we’ll talk about two-level stretch ceilings in the living room interior.
Features
Before you begin to consider the features and advantages of this finishing material, it is worth noting that 2-level tension structures will harmoniously look only in large rooms.
Today on the market there are many options for tension structures from different manufacturers, the most popular are products made in the following styles:
- Classic. The surface of the canvas is made in standard colors: white, beige and gray. This canvas will be a great addition to the classic interior.
Especially spectacular will be the images of ceiling frescoes of vintage interiors, applied to the upper part of the structure.
- Modern. For stretch ceilings made in this style, a combination of bright colors, patterns in the form of "plant" lines and clear boundaries of structures are characteristic.
- Country. The coating is a matte one-piece canvas, often sustained in the same tone. Suitable for decoration in the "folk" style.
- Ethnicity. These include Indian, African and other exotic ways of decorating stretch ceiling paintings. The combination of two-level designs made in this style with wood panels, national motifs on the walls and massive decorative elements will leave a lasting impression on the guests of the house.
- Minimalism. The most popular style for tensile structures. They can be matte and glossy, made in soothing colors: white, gray, light beige, blue.
- High tech. Glossy paintings, including products with a "metal" color, will be the highlight of the living room and emphasize the sophistication of the interior.
A feature of 2 level tension structures is the possibility of zoning the space, that is, dividing it into several zones with different functionality. In the living room, installation of such a design will help to allocate space for rest, eating, and work.
Thinking over the installation of lighting equipment, it is necessary to take into account some features and properties of the paintings. PVC film has high strength properties, however, with prolonged heating from the lamp, the material can soften. Lamps that produce heat can deform the canvases, which, after several years of operation, will lead to sagging. Therefore, when installing a structure made of PVC film, it is better to install LED and energy-saving lamps. Since the film does not imply the installation of electrical equipment directly in it, the installation of lamps should be carried out using special fasteners.
Two-level designs differ in the broadest prospects in terms of equipping lighting equipment. Such pendants will help hide electrical wiring, ventilation, and other utilities, leaving parts free to repair and replace. In drywall constructions, making holes for fixtures is very simple, and their number is limited only by the owner’s imagination.
The use of lamps of different types will allow you to create an original texture of the canvas, add depth to the ceiling and fill the room with bright light.
Two-level structures are often decorated with LED strips. They highlight the shape of the ceilings and give bright daylight. For lovers of original solutions, flexible neon tubes with bright and sharp glow are presented on the market.
They are not very suitable for classic living rooms, but they look great in studio apartments and high-tech rooms.
Spotlights are suitable for installation both in a drywall frame and in a film sheet. Often they are placed evenly around the perimeter and used to enhance the level of illumination in the room. The central element of the living room is the chandelier. Usually pendant ceiling lights are the most powerful light sources and the main details of the interior. Reflecting in the mirror surface of the film, the chandelier saturates the space with light, creating an atmosphere of solemnity.
Unlike solid paintings, 2-level structures can be designed in the form of a starry sky, skylights, windows, lots of options, most importantly, choose the one that is best suited for a particular living room.
Forms
As the base material, which is used to create 2-level stretch ceilings, drywall is used. Using it, you can give the product a shape of any design, make the design two- or even three-level. Drywall has excellent technical and operational properties. Simplicity and speed of assembly are the main advantages of this material. That is why it is considered the most suitable for the organization of two-level structures.
Decoration materials
There are many materials for finishing such a ceiling.
The two-level ceiling today is not just a rational, but also an original solution for decorating a living room:
- The most popular type of decoration material in an apartment is a film made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Its advantages are a long service life and an affordable price, a variety of shades and resistance to temperature extremes. PVC film can be installed in rooms with high humidity, for example, in the bathroom and toilet. Almost all manufacturers offer a standard film canvas, the size of which is quite small. Therefore, by installing a PVC tension structure in the living room, several strips of film are connected, welding them together.
- A design will help to decorate a spectacular interior, where high-strength fabric is used as a canvas. Matte suede cloths are good because they do not shine from lighting devices, however, dust quickly collects on them. Such canvases are produced quite large (up to 5 m), therefore they are able to close the ceilings of large living rooms.
Unlike film products, fabric ceilings are completely environmentally friendly, as they are made from natural materials, but have a rather high price.
- To create two-level tension structures, drywall or a metal-plastic profile is used. Today, the option of using a drywall frame and canvas is more in demand. Experienced specialists make the shape of the ceiling two-level, using original combinations of geometric motifs and pleasant colors. The size of the decorative section of the structure depends on the wishes of the customer and the size of the room.
- The stretch ceiling of the profiles is a mounting baguette, from which create a relief surface. And the use of modern technology allows you to give the canvas any shape.
The use of such a tension product will make it possible to hide the shortcomings of the real ceiling, as well as all utilities located on it.
Modern manufacturers of these products offer several types of textures of finishing materials for the second level of structures:
- Matte - does not stand out against the general background of the interior and does not shine from lighting fixtures, and the color of the surface remains in its original form for many years. Often used for installation in classic rooms.
The combined two-level design looks especially impressive when both matte and glossy sheets are used.
- Mirror - recognized as the most spectacular, visually increases the space, so it is simply ideal for installation in small living rooms.
Experts say that the best manufacturers of such paintings are Italy, Belgium, France.
- Glossy - just like the previous one, it can create a mirror effect, however, the image is more blurry. Glossy material differs in modest parameters, therefore, when welding the web, seams are formed.
Reasonable price and effective appearance provide glossy texture with great popularity.
Thanks to the use of modern tools and installation techniques, you can realize any, even the most creative design ideas for creating two-level structures. It all depends on the taste and wishes of customers. One of the most popular today are stretch ceilings with 3D photo printing. Almost any image can be applied to them, whether it is a starry sky or white clouds. Patterns, geometric lines, floral motifs will look especially good in the living room.
Color schemes
For large living rooms, it is better to choose a canvas in a light, calm color. Fans of original solutions can choose a contrasting canvas, adding bright colors to the room. Two-level ceilings are traditionally decorated in contrasting colors, this helps to place accents in the room and add a twist to the interior design.
Black or dark brown in a white frame made of drywall with a mirror surface will make the living room more voluminous, add charm and shine. This combination is what you need for luxurious interiors! Bright colors look no less impressive, but their use should be in moderation, otherwise the living room will become too aggressive. Ideally, saturated colors should be combined with soft, calm shades.
Beautiful examples
The appearance of the tension structures depends on several factors - the wishes of the customer, parameters and configuration of the room. The living room is the best place to implement any design idea of a 2-level ceiling. It is here that you can realize the most daring solutions: bright colors of paintings, unusual configuration design, realistic 3D printing and much more. At the same time, the larger the ceiling, the more interesting and unusual it can be.
Thinking about the future design of a two-level design, remember that in the living room, attention should be focused on furniture and decor items, and the ceiling should only complement the image, make it more complete.
We present to your attention beautiful examples of the hall with lighting, which have already become classics for the design of living rooms. Properly selected configurations and sizes of structures will create stunning stretch ceilings, especially two-level, which will become a real decoration of any living room.
In the next video, you can watch an overview of the model of a two-level stretch ceiling.
The work is going on sequentially:
- first you need to read about what the materials are - each of them has its own advantages, disadvantages, features, varieties that you need to understand,
- then you need to think about what goal you want to achieve by making a two-level ceiling in the living room - highlight a zone, additionally decorate the room,
- choose a combination of materials, focusing on the inviting texture, cost, complexity of work,
- to develop the final design using graphic editors - choose a color, shape, figure out how the material will fall.
Among such ceilings there are both cheap and expensive
And at the end, deciding what the nuances should be, you can either hire craftsmen who will realize the idea, or go to a hardware store and purchase materials along with tools to mount the structure yourself.
Materials
The classification by materials is simple: it includes only four points:
- polystyrene is the cheapest, but the lightest,
- drywall - the heaviest, requiring a frame,
- fabric - refers to stretch ceilings, but costs much more than others,
- film - also refers to stretch, but significantly different from the fabric.
To choose from this short list, you will have to delve into the nuances and features.
Choose a harmonious combination of materials
Foam Duplex Ceilings
Polyfoam is not the most common material, because only impeccable taste and great craftsmanship can make it aesthetic. In most cases, it looks cheap and you have to try to avoid this trouble.
But it has its advantages:
- Ease of attachment. To fix the plasterboard ceiling, a complex construction of hollow metal pipes is required. To fix the tension, you need a team of workers with a heat gun. And for polystyrene, a light hand is enough in combination with universal glue - even a person who is far from repair can cope with it.
Beautiful and stylish living room in gray tones
- Light weight. There is no problem with polystyrene during transportation, even if you need to raise it to the tenth floor, and the elevator is broken. Also, no calculations are required - the ceiling beam can withstand even the most complex structure of it.
- Ease of processing. To form a beautiful two-level ceiling from drywall, it requires either a lot of experience or a lot of time, plus a tool.
Polyfoam can be cut with a simple clerical knife, and sanded with fine sandpaper to get a similar result.
- Resistance to chemicals. Polyfoam can be painted, you can cover the result with varnish, you can apply tools that make it shine metallic or resemble a stone - it will not hurt him at all.
- Water resistant. Even if the climate is humid, the air is always saturated with water, it won’t hurt the foam - it can’t bubble, rot or mold.
The cheapest material is foam
- Soundproofing. Of course, with the effect that drywall has, the effect of polystyrene can not be compared, but it will help to muffle a little noise from neighbors from above.
- Price and size. Perhaps the main plus is that you can buy a lot of material for a penny and work with it, gaining experience. It helps that the material is produced with sheets of different sizes - choosing among them is easy.
- Easy care. It is enough to wipe the polystyrene from time to time with a damp cloth to maintain its original color and brightness.
Of course, there were some shortcomings:
- Water resistant. This is a plus, but also a minus. Polyfoam does not allow moisture to pass at all, which is why the humidity in the room increases significantly.
- Flammability. The material burns, black suffocating smoke comes from it. At the time of the fire will increase the smoke in the room.
- Fragility. Polyfoam, even processed, easily cracks, crumbles, if you make enough effort. One hit - the surface will lose its appearance.
Custom idea for decorating the ceiling
But the main minus of the foam is not stability, fragility and combustibility, but the fact that you can give it a decent look only after a long, difficult job. It needs to be shaped, glued, plastered, sanded, painted, varnished - only if everything was done carefully, the result will be worth it.
Drywall
Drywall is the most used material for the manufacture of two-level ceilings. Regarding polystyrene, it is expensive, but relatively stretch cheap. It has specific advantages that explain its popularity:
Drywall - The Most Used Material
- Terrain. If your living room is characterized by bumps, complex communications, cracks, cavities, drywall will help to hide all this more reliably than a stretch ceiling. It can be adapted so that it not only covers imperfections, but takes into account their relief and at the same time looks good.
- Flexibility. The stretch ceiling is a flat canvas. Drywall is much more flexible, it can be wrinkled, pulled in all directions, made from it complex structures, adjusted to fit any design ideas.
- Fire resistant. Polyfoam burns and fumes, tension surfaces too. Gypsum plasterboard is completely resistant to flame, in case of fire it will be smoked.
- Environmental friendliness. Drywall in the process of disposal does not harm the environment.
- Resistance to mechanical stress. If the tension surfaces are torn from one careless touch, and the foam crumbles, then the drywall can easily withstand impacts.
- Easy lamp installation. Drywall is easy to drill, easy to lay in any shape. It’s easy to integrate luminaires in the process.
- Soundproofing. The material gives the best sound insulation performance among all.
In the process of disposal does not harm the environment
But drywall also has disadvantages:
- Lack of resistance to water. In the living room, this is not so important, because there are no constant sources of water in it, but if the climate itself is characterized by high humidity, this can affect the service life. With high humidity, gypsum board will warp, go in waves, spots, can even rot.
- Lack of resistance to biological threats. A two-level ceiling on the frame can be a haven for the ubiquitous cockroaches, mold, or suffer from a fungus. You can, however, process it with appropriate compounds.
- The relative complexity of the finish. To make the drywall ceiling look good, you will either have to hire experienced workers or spend a lot of time.
- The difficulty of leaving. Drywall suffers from moisture, therefore it can only be cleaned with dry methods.
The material gives the best sound insulation performance among all
For drywall, you must first prepare the frame from thin metal pipes, using a drill and screws for this. Then you need to cut out the elements of the levels so that they are mounted on the frame, like pieces of a mosaic. Then you need to fix them, process the seams so that they are not visible.
Film Stretch
Stretch ceilings have three varieties and each of them has its own specifics.
The film version is distinguished from the rest by emphasized smoothness.
The most famous is film. It is distinguished from the rest by emphasized smoothness. Bright, like a mirror, the surface reflects everything that happens below.
This option has advantages:
- Aesthetics. Few finishes compare to a perfectly even stretch ceiling.
- Moisture resistant. The stretch film simply does not deteriorate if there is high humidity in the room. If the neighbors from above suddenly begin to flood you, the water will stop and will not go further - of course, the film itself will be damaged, but the walls will not be touched.
- Price. For other species, film is the cheapest.
- Relative ease of installation. Pulling a film for a qualified team of workers is a matter of a couple of days, while the fabric will have to tinker with.
- Variety of colors. Any material based on plastic is distinguished by its brightness and variability of coloring. The surface can be one-color, two-color, with patterns, you can even print a large photo on it - the design can be anything, it is limited only by the imagination of the master.
- Easy care. It does not require anything more than polystyrene foam - just hold it with a wet cloth and it will regain the same luster as on the first day.
For other species, film is the cheapest
Dirt and dust do not settle on the film, after installation there is little debris.
But there are also disadvantages:
- Lack of resistance to mechanical damage. Enough of a not too strong blow - even just touching with a sharp object - and the surface breaks, leaving a torn hole with uneven edges. It’s difficult to remove, again you will need to call the masters with a heat gun.
- Lack ofresistance to low temperatures. Of course, in the living room of a residential building, the temperature is unlikely to drop to zero, but if this happens, the surface will crack and lose its whole elegant look.
- Installation complexity. It is impossible to stretch the film alone, especially without experience and special equipment. You will definitely have to turn to the construction team.
Art Nouveau red and white living room
The film must be pulled before furniture is brought into the room. During installation, the temperature will rise, this can damage things.
Stretch fabric and satin
The fabric appeared on the market as an alternative to film, relatively recently and has not yet managed to gain such stunning popularity. It is offered in two versions - it is either a simple fabric having a texture similar to the texture of perfectly laid plaster, or matte satin, which has a specific sheen and chic look.
Fabric as an alternative to film
In addition to external signs, they have practically no differences and the advantages coincide:
- Resistance to mechanical damage. Of course, if you specially hit the fabric, it will break. But an accidental blow is not dangerous for her, as well as sharp objects.
- Cold resistance. Even if once the temperature drops, the fabric will not lose its qualities and will not look worse.
- «Breathable surface. Fabric is the only material that allows the space above the ceiling to exchange air with the rest of the room. It does not retain moisture.
- Aesthetics. The fabric looks like perfectly even plaster, satin - like the same plaster, only matte, with a pleasant pearly sheen. It's beautiful.
Satin Option
But there are also enough shortcomings in the fabric:
- Price. The most expensive material for a two-level ceiling.
- Installation difficulties. You don’t need a heat gun, but you need to baguette the entire room around the perimeter, and if something goes wrong, you will need to redo it.
- Difficulty of care. The fabric cannot be washed; it requires dry care. Usually they suggest using a vacuum cleaner to remove dust.
- Lack of resistance to fire and biological problems. The tissue may mold, become fungal, and may burn in a fire.
But for some interiors, fabric is what you need. It fits perfectly with the classic design, looks good in the Japanese minimalist interior. Despite a slightly less variety of colors than the film, it can be a great solution for your living room.
Important design nuances
After reviewing the materials, we move on to more interesting things - to design. And it is determined primarily by the goal. If you are going to make a two-level ceiling in the living room, then you can achieve the following:
- Divide the room into zones. If you have a small apartment and the hall in it performs several appointments at once, this is advisable. Select a leisure area with a TV, separate it from the rest of the room - or a sofa with a bookshelf. In this case, you need to make the level difference so that it is just at the junction of the two zones.
- Decorate and draw attention to the top of the room. This is advisable if you like minimalism in terms of furniture, and you prefer to decorate the room with its direct decoration, rather than small accessories. In this case, you need to think about what this decoration should be: a flower, a fantasy blot, an animal, a fish, whatever.
Minimalism style made in wood
- Make the ceiling a continuation of the interior. Do not draw special attention to it, just develop a general idea. In this case, you need to look in accordance with each specific hall. In a high-tech style, a metallic-colored film will fit in well, while in a classic, fabric with intricate stucco made of drywall will look better.
Any other goals also require a choice of colors, textures and combinations, which also need to be understood.
Texture
Polyfoam and drywall are simply matte and this is all limited to - maximum, they can be painted in different colors or made to resemble a wooden or stone surface using the appropriate color scheme. With stretch ceilings, everything is much more interesting. They can be:
- Smooth. A bright mirror surface of any color is a classic film ceiling, which everyone is used to. It reflects everything that happens below, makes the room visually larger, expands the space and looks spectacular.
- Plain matte fabric. The texture is similar to plaster and looks about the same. Can be painted, can be left as is. If left, it will make the room both larger and more comfortable - the matte texture is more pleasing to the eyes.
- Satin Satin. Satin is also white, but it is distinguished by a specific shine, which looks especially impressive if you add some paint on top. A beautiful solution with a pearly tint will also visually enlarge the room.
Match your ideas with technical capabilities
- Art painting. Feasible only on fabric, and if you find a good professional artist, it will look like in a real art gallery. It can be a geometric pattern, it can be a floral pattern, or it can be a real picture - it should be placed best surrounded by a bright glossy surface.
- Photo printing. A variant of the artistic approach, but simpler than painting. It is usually made to order, it can be done both on a glossy surface - then it will be bright, colorful - and on a matte surface, then it will be muffled. There are ready-made paintings that can be bought without prior order.
The main thing is to choose it well, since it is not suitable for every interior.
- Starry sky. It is made using satin, and small lamps that imitate the glow of stars are placed behind the ceiling. A very beautiful, space solution that is suitable for the living room, you are made in dark colors.
- Metallic luster. Suitable for high-tech style, performed on film. It can be silver, steel, gold, bronze - the main thing is that it fits the main interior. The variety is a mirror shine. It does not allow you to completely simulate a mirror, but it turns out somewhat similar.
Space in your home
You can always combine several textures, instead of making a two-level ceiling monophonic. You can, for example, make a drawing by painting on a fabric insert in the middle, and cover the rest of the ceiling with a glossy film. Or imitate the surface of the sky with the help of photo printing and make cloud-inserts from drywall.
The main thing is to correlate your ideas with technical capabilities in the process of designing a design, as well as with the rest of the room’s interior.
It will be interesting for you:
Color significance
Color is a variable whose significance cannot be overestimated. Wrong, he is able to discount perfectly matched material with texture. There are three significant nuances in terms of color.
Interesting African-style solution
The first is how much the two different levels harmonize:
- Monotony. One and the same color - in such a combination it is impossible to make a mistake, but it is the most boring. You can dilute it with a pattern, pattern or carefully selected lamps, but in itself it is unpretentious, great for those living rooms where the ceiling should not attract attention as much as possible.
- Shades. One level of bright, saturated color, the other is either lighter or darker, but - a shade of the same color. It is also difficult to make a mistake here, and the combination looks more interesting than monotony. In addition, it can perfectly fit into the interior, supporting the main range.
- Contrast. The most striking, attractive combination is one in which the colors are opposite to each other. Black and white, orange and purple, yellow and blue — you can see what contrasts can be by looking at any color chart. This combination gives tension, attracts attention, adds a highlight to the interior. But it is only appropriate where there are no other highlights. Contrast does not take root in those interiors, where even without it there is something to see.
From the combination of colors, ceilings with patterns and drawings can be separately taken out. As for them, the main task of the rest of the surface is not to attract too much attention, to fall into the main tone. Light pastel tones or dark, devoid of brightness are best suited.
It is important that they are combined with the pattern as a whole.
The second important nuance is how much the ceiling harmonizes with the rest of the interior. As a rule, the way it combines with the walls makes it possible to beat the same room in different ways:
- Light top and light bottom. Make the room visually narrow, elongated in height. This is true for low ceilings in a small living room - at the same time it seems taller and more spacious.
- Light top with everything else dark. Makes the room only taller. The feeling of spaciousness is not increasing, it seems exclusively that the ceiling is not so low.
- Dark top and dark bottom. Make the room lower, visually expand it. Good for small rooms with too high ceilings, which in their original form resemble a pencil case.
- Dark top and light everything else. Makes ceilings lower, but does not expand the space. Well suited for a high spacious room, which because of this seems too large and echoing.
Classic never goes out of style
The third important nuance is the color scheme of the levels per se:
- Light pastel colors. They are distinguished by neutrality, they make it possible to focus on any part of the room, are considered useful for the psyche and pacifying.
- Light cold tones. Blue, light green, light yellow of a certain shade. Visually expand the room, make it even look lighter. Well suited to the classic style.
- Light warm colors. They make the rooms more comfortable, but a little smaller. Peach, warm shades of pink, yellow - they are pleasantly combined with small elements of dark colors in the interior.
- Dark cold tones. Visually enlarge the room, but make it somewhat uncomfortable. Such a ceiling will put pressure on the shoulders, unless its height is too great in itself.
- Dark warm colors. Variations of brown, shades of red, orange make the room smaller and more comfortable. It goes well with small accents of bright colors and lighter tones.
White will visually expand the room
It is not recommended to make a pure black ceiling - the color negatively affects one's well-being, if one does not include it in the interior thoughtfully diluting it with bright accents.
To do pure white is possible. It will quickly get dirty, but at the same time it will expand the room.
How to summarize the work and put everything together?
Having decided what the ceiling should look like in general terms, we can take it for a more detailed study of the nuances:
- First you need to once again remember what the general idea of the interior will be.Carried away by textures and materials, you can forget about current needs. At the final stage, it is important to remember how the room should look.
- Then you need to think over and draw the design of a two-level ceiling - you can do it by hand on paper, or you can use a special program that allows you to get an idea of the interior in advance.
- To draw lines with chalk on the living room floor - this will help to understand how the structure will look in reality, which zones will be highlighted and where the light will lie.
You can fulfill any of your ideas.
After that, you can make corrections to the final project, mark the transitions of the level and the place where the lamps will be, and then either hire a team or start buying tools.
Varieties
Stretch ceilings can be of completely different types. In fact, they are a stretched canvas. Thanks to the use of this type of ceiling, you don’t have to think about the fact that initially there were sharp changes, for example, between the floor slabs, the electrical wiring was hidden somewhere, the wires no longer stick out, and pipes and other various “unsightly things” can be effectively masked into the frame . The material itself used for ceilings can be either fabric or PVC film.
Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, which should be taken into account both before and after installation:
- Fabric ceilings eco-friendly, have a well-defined structure. A picture can be applied to the canvas. With the help of drapery you can create a beautiful relief. Such ceilings look very expensive. For their fastening special installations are not needed, they are mounted in a “cold way”.
The disadvantages include the fact that the canvas is limited in size, their significant high cost, as well as some limited choice in colors and design. And still not all fabrics are capable of retaining moisture and lend themselves to wet cleaning.
- PVC film ceilings They have a huge base of colors and designs. They can imitate fabric, metal, stone, be glossy, mirror or matte. PVC does not pass water. And in the case of negligent neighbors from above, the film will become a reliable barrier to water. Due to its texture, they can be used to achieve a visual increase in space, especially due to mirror or glossy surfaces, or imitation of the sky, landscapes, still lifes.
Ceilings can be cleaned with detergents. But use aggressive substances in cleaning is still not worth it.
Like any material, PVC has its drawbacks:
- He is accused of non-environmental friendliness; he does not let air in as much as tissue.
- Installation requires free space. Must provide access to the ceiling.
- Installation requires special equipment. To pull the material requires a very high temperature.
- As for the cost, in this matter they are presented in the widest price range, for any wallet: you can use a simple canvas, or you can make an order and exclusive photo printing will be applied to it.
Design Features
Two levels are simply impossible to do without using a frame. The frame is a skeleton of the entire structure. In the case of suspended ceilings, several options for constructing a complex ceiling are possible.
This should take into account what final form you need to achieve, and where and how the light will be installed.
The frame can be made of a variety of profiles and guides, corners, special tires for lighting, wooden blocks, pieces of plywood and various gypsum fiber sheets. What materials will be used as a result entirely depends on the form and creative idea of the creator of the design project.
At its core, two-level stretch ceilings are simply the sharing of two paintings in one place, each at its own level. Moreover, at each level can be provided for its own consecration. The central main (chandelier) is on the first level, and the light for “mood” is on the second (spotlights, LED strip, hidden LEDs or backlight). The arrangement of light, lamps, and illumination plays a significant role in the construction of the frame, because under it sometimes requires the installation of special fasteners.
Use in the interior
Complex ceilings do not fit into all interiors. If desired and possible, you can mount a two-level ceiling in a small room, but it will look very ridiculous. But for a spacious hall, such an interior solution will be just a godsend. When constructing two-level ceilings, it is worth considering that the actual height of the room will lose about 6-10 cm.
Multilevel ceilings are a fashionable trend. Having seen beautiful examples, you can completely forget that the ceiling is just a design element. Significant, but not the main one. And therefore, the design of the top should in no case be discordant with the design of the bottom.
The ceiling should be “fitted” into the interior. Otherwise, instead of joy and aesthetic pleasure, he will create an oppressive mood.
When writing complex ceilings in the interior of a room, you need to consider what textures and color schemes are used. It is known that a glossy and mirror surface can work wonders - visually raise the height of the ceiling. However, the use of such reflective surfaces in bright, sunny rooms is not entirely appropriate, since extra glare will appear on the canvas.
Saturated, rich and vibrant colors will certainly become accent. But again, their use is "walking along the edge."
They should be clearly inscribed in the interior, beaten in the decor.
The same goes for dark colors. Black, blue and other colors will add depth. But at the same time they “eat” the light. A spectacular living room or hall with a dark ceiling should be well lit. Few people like to live in the dark.
As a rule, the decision to make a two-level ceiling is due to the fact that zoning is necessary in the room. And thanks to the complex ceiling, this division of the room becomes aesthetically and practically justified. So, for example, if the apartment has a combined kitchen-living room, then you can emphasize the free layout or separate the two zones using smooth lines.
The dining area can be distinguished with the help of an exquisite chandelier and a decent ceiling frame - frames, "windows", round, oval or other bizarre shapes. It is possible to select particular interior objects using various bay windows, semicircles, blots, rhombuses and other forms.
Interesting solutions
Two-level ceilings have long ceased to be something new. But the design idea, at times, can surprise. Indeed, even the wildest fantasies can be embodied on the ceiling, and if the interior is thought out to the smallest detail, then it is quite appropriate, practical and beautiful. Two-level ceilings can be entered into many interiors: modern and dynamic, gentle and romantic, strict and artsy.
The design of the ceiling in the form of a frame is a classic of the genre. It can be a simple rectangular shape or have decorative elements, for example, rounded internal corners. The consecration of frame ceilings is usually done as follows: the central light is a large, beautiful chandelier, and small LED lamps are located around the perimeter.
Recently, a new trend has appeared - this is the use of LED strip as a hidden or explicit backlight. In complex ceilings, frames are also placed around the perimeter. She is able to create the effect of a "soaring" ceiling. In addition, the tape can become the so-called mood light, because it can shine not only white, but also in other colors.
Apply two-level ceilings in the form of a frame, usually in calm, classic interiors. For the design of living rooms, monochromatic matte surfaces are usually used, but if the interior is not so strict, it is possible to use gloss or photo printing (images of the sky, for example) at the first level. Although two-level frame ceilings, perhaps, can fit into any interior.
They simply will stand as they are, without claiming to be a designer accent.
Another thing is if the frame is not just a rectangle, but some kind of figure: a star, the sun, a circle or an oval, a blot or other complex shape. Such ceilings are very dynamic and quite appropriate in modern interior styles. By their location, they focus on the central part of the living room, if these elements are located, respectively, in the center. This arrangement is classic. But no one forbids shifting emphasis, for example, into a corner.
The issues of choosing the texture during the construction of a non-standard frame ceiling entirely and completely depend on taste preferences and compatibility with the interior. Glossy surfaces are often applicable in modern styles, however, and matte structures look great. As for the light, it can be very diverse - it is spotlights, and large chandeliers, and LED strip, and LED canvas. There is not much light.
Two-level ceilings, which are straight or wavy lines located along, at a certain angle or diagonal of the room, have already become quite traditional. Such an interior solution allows you to clearly zoning the room, while due to the smoothness of the lines the transition will not be so sharp.
A non-standard solution is to avoid templates and use the second level to create soaring geometric elements and patterns: spirals, blots, the yin-yang sign and much more. Of course, such accents will attract attention, because they are quite conceptual and original. But the use of such elements is quite dangerous.
They must be strictly entered into the interior of the hall, otherwise they will crush with their presence. "Beautiful something" over your head. This can cause psychological discomfort to those in the room.
Creating the effect of a floating figure is quite simple. It's all about the backlight, which is hidden in the frame and placed around the perimeter. The included light breaks through the material and thus beats the second level.
Installing two-level stretch ceilings in the living room is a practical solution. Excellent zoning and bold design ideas - all this can give modern two-level stretch ceilings.
Design of suspended ceilings for the hall
For any interior, you can choose the appropriate version of the ceiling. Today a wide range of textures and colors is offered, allowing you to set beautiful stretch ceilings for the living room, harmoniously complementing the given style of the room.
In a modern interior, you can safely experiment with drawings and shapes, but do not forget about the harmony of space. In such a room, various color variations and photo printing may appear on the ceiling.
The classic style of the room involves the use of a simple version of the ceiling design: white with a central chandelier. However, light shades, for example, beige or gray color of a plain canvas, are acceptable here.
For the Scandinavian-style living room, white dominates, so there is no other choice. But an interesting variety can give a two-level design of a stretch ceiling.
In the loft style, they usually use a matte finish. Using different colors, you can beat different zones.
You can apply a white single-level ceiling, which will give a finished look to the room.
For Provence, two-stage options are most often used.
Levels
Stretch ceiling installation systems allow you to mount several levels. This option makes it possible not only to hide communications, but also to arrange multi-point lighting. But in the case of low ceilings, you should adhere to a single-level placement, so as not to reduce the height of the room even more.
For rooms with high ceilings, two-level and multi-level systems can be used. The first option is the most common, because it does not complicate the design and at the same time makes the room more original. This technique allows the use of paintings of different textures or colors, visually changing and increasing the space.
Sophisticated options with several levels can only be used in large living rooms.
Colors
Any room can be transformed due to the color of the finish. This also applies to the ceiling.
The white ceiling is a classic, versatile option. It is combined with any style of decoration of the living room. Modern canvases are practical, do not accumulate dust and make it easy to clean them from pollution.
An original solution for a large room can be a stretch ceiling in black. It looks luxurious and deep, but to maintain light balance, you need to take care of the bright lighting in the room and give preference to a glossy finish.
The pastel colors of ceilings are often used.
Often choose the color of the stretch ceiling, which merges with the overall color scheme of the room. It can be a variety of colors. For example:
Two-color canvases, set at different levels, add a visual effect to the room with spaciousness and lightness. They can be contrasting or pastel shades.
It is permissible to use two colors and at the same level.
As well as the combination of levels. As an example, a two-color stretch ceiling is Yin Yang.
A frequent choice when combining 2 colors are black and white ceilings.
With photo printing
Modern interiors are often complemented by print-printed ceilings. This idea allows you to transfer to the canvas any motive specified by the customer. It can be a blue sky with clouds, starry outer space, an image from a famous mural, etc. Any bold idea can easily be carried over to the stretch ceiling and become a highlight of the interior.
Stretch Ceiling
The texture of the stretch ceiling can be glossy or matte.
Matte surfaces are suitable for any style and can be made in any color. This canvas has the ability to absorb light, install more sources of artificial lighting for comfort.
Glossy stretch ceilings have a mirror effect. Due to this property, they expand the space of the living room and increase the illumination.
Therefore, in such a room, it is necessary to carefully consider the number and power of lighting devices.
Lighting
It is very important for the living room to have a sufficient 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 the unusual effect of a soaring ceiling, you can lay linear LED lights around the perimeter of the ceiling or tier. Additionally, this option will create the illusion of bulge.
Spotlights create diffused light, filling the entire space and are used as primary or secondary lighting. Linear and point systems look especially original in two-level ceiling systems. Dividing them and connecting them in turn, you can dim the lighting or make it brighter.
The traditional interior includes a central chandelier. Such a light source is easily mounted in a stretch ceiling. Additionally, you can use table lamps and floor lamps.
Also, instead of a chandelier, designers use pendant lights in their work to illuminate a separate area.
6 interesting ideas for your living room
With the help of suspended ceilings, you can transform the interior, make it interesting and unique.Designers advise using several ideas for this:
- the effect of a floating ceiling can be created using the built-in LED backlight located along the contour,
- heaven can fall right above your living room using photo printing on the ceiling canvas,
- inserts made in the form of a vault or arch are used to ensure smooth lines between the surface of the ceiling and the walls,
- the most daring owners decide to cover with unusual patterns. It can be floral motifs, intricate patterns and even portraits of celebrities,
- A variant in a two-level ceiling can be a circle in the central part with built-in lamps.
- use a stretch ceiling as an option for zoning.
Also see current solutions in this video.
Differences in a two-level design
Previously, complex multi-level ceilings could only be made of drywall. But this option had its drawbacks: lengthy installation, significant height and volume, the cost of plastering and painting.
A good alternative is two-level stretch ceilings. They look stylish, fashionable and spectacular. And most importantly, they are cheaper than similar alternatives, and this is with complete uniqueness.
Subtleties of installation
At its core, two-level ceilings are several paintings at different heights. Together they create a complete composition.
First, a rigid frame of plywood, chipboard or similar materials is installed. Use plastic or aluminum profiles, drywall, plywood veneer, depending on the specifics and preferences.
Installation begins from the second level. Gapless technology has now appeared, which allows you to do without obvious gaps and seams. Professionals can easily cope with this task.
There are three ways to fix the film:
- Wedge. The canvas is fixed with wedges. It can be changed, but a limited number of times,
- Harpoon. The classic modern way using a hook and spatula. They clamp the canvas together, and it is easy to change as necessary,
- Shtapikovy. The film is clamped in the slots, but such a ceiling can only be replaced with the frame.
Benefits of two-level stretch ceilings
Compared with plasterboard, two-level stretch ceilings have a number of advantages:
- Hundreds of variations of finished designs, textures and shades. These are matte, glossy and satin ceilings, photo printing, textile fabrics. You can safely combine different colors, including contrasting,
- Moisture resistance. The film is not only not afraid of water, but is also able to hold it in case of flooding from above,
- Practicality. Stretch ceilings are much more convenient to maintain for functional rooms, such as a kitchen or a bathroom,
- Disguise. Two-level stretch ceilings easily hide even serious defects of the base, significant irregularities and height differences,
- Mounting. You can completely install a two-level decorative stretch ceiling within one day,
- Cleanliness. Stretch ceilings do not require wet and dusty work. They can be mounted even in a room with ready redecoration without damage to it,
- Dismantling. Canvases can be removed partially. For example, for repair work, wiring replacement, lamp installation,
- Uniqueness. Two completely identical multi-level structures practically do not exist. Each project is calculated and developed individually.
Spotlights
This is a classic for zonal and multi-level lighting. Small round, square or figured luminaires incorporate small LEDs.
The design is completely ready for installation, it is built into the canvas or protrudes slightly above its surface. For installation, each device is equipped with simple mechanical fasteners, which you can deal with yourself.
Overhead lights
These are overhead lights that differ in size, number of lamps and other parameters. The base of the lamp is mounted before the installation of the canvas. Then the ceiling is simply fixed with clamps or other fasteners.
For stretch ceilings, choose collections with LED lamps and efficient heat dissipation. Then they can be installed almost flush.
Suspensions
Pendant lights are not only classic chandeliers, but also stylish modern rectangular, cylindrical or conical models for modern interiors. There are collections for luxurious baroque, for futuristic hi-tech, and for industrial loft.
Hidden backlight
Two-level systems allow to make whole segments “luminous”. This is the so-called film backlight, when the LED strip is placed in uniform stripes behind a translucent film. As a result, the whole level burns brightly and evenly. This is not possible with drywall.
Openings for fixtures
There are two technologies for creating openings for fixtures or decorative elements in suspended ceilings:
Plastic thermo-ring is a little-known but practical solution. The ring is glued to the place of the future hole. And when the glue is fully set, the film is simply cut out by the inner diameter.
Reflow is literally burning a hole with a heated reinforcement of a suitable diameter. Use a heat gun or a building hair dryer to heat. Make sure that all edges are evenly melted.
Two-level zoning ceilings
Two-level stretch ceilings are a powerful tool for zoning. They allow you to visually divide the room without additional partitions, shelving and curtains. It is also more convenient to incorporate multilevel general and local lighting into them, and hidden lighting.
Sophisticated ceiling solutions allow you to adjust the geometry of the room. Elongated rooms seem more symmetrical, square ones are more complicated and interesting, polygonal ones are more practical and functional.
The very shape of the segments can also be any. These are not necessarily rectangles. Create steps, ovals, circles and semicircles, clouds and waves - whatever you want. Up to 3D voluminous designs.
Decorative effects
The possibilities for decorating two-level stretch ceilings are almost endless. You can combine similar shades for easy zoning. Or feel free to combine contrasting colors, because the line between them will always be clear, even and accurate.
You can combine a neutral basic background with a bright textile accent, a fragment of a starry or cloudy sky, individual photo printing. Such a variety does not give any more technology of design ceilings.
Two-level stretch ceilings in the hallway
In the corridor and hallway there is often not enough space and light. Therefore, any solutions that allow you to visually increase the space are good here. For example, two bright glossy canvases of different colors with built-in spotlights.
The difference in levels is an easy way to visually separate the entrance from the corridor and get rid of unnecessary doors and arches. And in spacious houses, a plain design with a transition from a matte surface to a glossy one looks interesting.
Duplex stretch ceilings in the living room
The living room is the most multitasking room. Here they relax, study, work, meet guests, play sports, spend family evenings. Therefore, the living room most often needs to be zoned.
There is not always room for partitions, screens, and curtains, then visual techniques come into play. In particular, two-level stretch ceilings with independent lighting of each section.
The repetition of the outlines of the ceiling structure when decorating the walls looks fresh. Or her reflection in a low podium on the floor. In spacious rooms, you can create several such zones at once: for example, highlight a soft corner and a work desk.
Two-level suspended ceilings in the bedroom
Two-level ceilings in the bedroom are the easiest way to create a romantic atmosphere. Use delicate shades and textures, graceful shapes, fragments of the starry sky. Textile inserts look interesting.
Hidden lighting will create a muffled evening light instead of everyday diffused. Such night lighting not only creates a mood, but also allows you to relax, which is very important before going to bed in the modern rhythm of life.
Two-level suspended ceilings in the bathroom
In the design of bathrooms, moisture-resistant stretch ceilings have no equal. They are unpretentious, hygienic and easy to care for. Select a separate area above the bathroom or near the mirror - and create an unusual stylish interior with minimal effort.
Carefully consider the choice of texture. Gloss is better for a small bathroom, but splashes of water may remain on it. Therefore, such a ceiling will often have to be wiped. But with a satin texture this problem does not arise.
Two-level stretch ceilings in the kitchen
Stretch ceilings in the kitchen are as practical as possible. They do not absorb odors, stains and grease are easily washed off, they do not fade or fade.
Two-level systems allow you to accurately emphasize the dining area or workspace. If the kitchen is combined with a living room or a balcony - combine suspended ceilings with partitions and other techniques.
Two-level stretch ceilings in the nursery
You always want to make a children's room colorful and interesting - and two-level stretch ceilings will help in this. With their help, you can create real planets, flowers, clouds, abstract polygons and complex shapes. This is an invaluable welcome for themed rooms.
Zoning in the nursery is no less important than in the living room. From the first years to adolescence, a child needs a sleeping area, a workplace and space for games, recreation and leisure. Making rooms partitions is not always convenient and practical, but zoning with a colored bunk ceiling will do the trick.
