Tips to plan your ceiling designs by experts in Hyderabad

Sunita Vellapally Sunita Vellapally
Project 1, Meticular Interiors LLP Meticular Interiors LLP Modern Kitchen
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Nowadays, false ceilings are a trend in modern Indian homes. It’s very rare to find a home without a ceiling design with LED lights built into it. While there’s no denying that they bring a modern touch to the ambiance, besides brightening up the room, unless the ceiling and the lighting are designed well, it can interfere with the overall look of the home.

The process involves two elements, the false ceiling and the lighting. In this ideabook, we present photographs of projects of a homify professional for inspiration on how to plan the ceiling design and include the right type of lighting so that it adds to the aesthetics and functionality of the home. 

False ceiling design

In India, false ceilings are mostly made of Plaster of Paris (POP) or gypsum board. POP is the cheaper of the two options, making it ideal to use in simple ceiling designs, especially for those who don’t have a big budget. However, in terms of durability, POP is inferior to gypsum board as it tends to flake and sag after a few years. On the other hand, gypsum boards are hardy and present a smoother finish than POP. The boards usually come in a standard size of 6’x4’ and are 12mm thick. They are also available in several variants that include fire-resistant and water-proof features. Whereas POP is installed on channels or frames made of light metal, gypsum boards are installed on channels made of high-quality steel that makes them strong with a better load-bearing capacity.

The first stage in the process of planning ceiling designs for homes is to decide on the budget one can set aside for the false ceiling. Keep in mind that a big budget doesn’t necessarily translate to a better design. Too many lights or design elements can clash with the overall style of the room. Therefore, it’s best to keep the design simple and elegant.

Once the design is finalized, the next step is the installation so that the ceiling design can be executed the way the designer envisioned it. Here, it is vital to use the services of an experienced contractor to ensure that the installation goes as planned. The installation process involves these main steps:

1. First, the ceiling is levelled to ensure that the surface is flat before the installation commences. 

2. Next, the height of the false ceiling is decided, after accounting for wires and ducts that might run underneath. Usually, the panels are fixed 4-8 inches below the ceiling to allow ventilation. The level is marked at different points along the perimeter wall to make it easier to align. 

3. The wiring and points for the electrical fittings on the false ceiling panels should be fixed before the installation begins. For cove lights, the ceiling panels should have an in-built groove into which the lights can be fixed. 

4. Following this, rods are fixed on the ceiling to provide support for the suspended panels. The rods are cut at the correct height, ensuring that they are all at the same level. 

5. Next, regulators are attached to the rods to make it easy to connect to the panels. 

6. After this, the metal frames or profiles are hung from the ceiling and the channels fixed before the panel boards are installed. 

7. Finally, the ceiling is finished with putty, primer and colour to achieve the desired look.

Get some more tips on the process of installing a false ceiling.

New trends in modern ceiling design

Besides POP and gypsum board, nowadays newer materials such as PVC and 3D panels are used for false ceilings. Although these are more expensive than POP and gypsum, they are worth considering for a smaller area. 3D panels are versatile and come in beautiful designs, making them ideal for ceiling design for living rooms as they add a lot of sophistication to the area.

Fibre board and stretch ceilings are other options to consider.

Planning the lighting in the ceiling design

The lighting system in a home contributes to the ambiance. Too much or too little light can make the room feel uncomfortable. It’s essential to balance the different sources of light to create a pleasant environment. To do this, we need to understand the different types of lighting.

Ambient lighting

This refers to the light that is present in the atmosphere of the room. It does not highlight a spot but rather travels across the room so that one can navigate through the area without bumping into furniture or other elements. Natural light is the best example of ambient lighting. At night, ambient lights should replicate the effect of natural light and uniformly bathe all parts of the room. For example, in the ceiling design for halls, recessed or cover lights in the false ceiling panels can achieve the required effect.

Task lighting

As the name suggests, this type of light is required for carrying out tasks such as reading, cooking or working on the computer. In simple ceiling designs for kitchens, this can be achieved by fixing lights in the panels over the counters or with track lighting.

Object lighting

The purpose of object lighting is to focus on a feature in the room. It could be an artwork, a sculpture or even a feature wall. For instance, in the ceiling design for bedrooms, a spot light can be fixed in the false ceiling to highlight a painting or a designer headboard.

After learning about the different types of lighting, the next question is how much of each to use in a room. Here, it’s best to seek the advice of a professional interior designer or architect to create the right ambiance in the room.

What is the approximate cost of false ceiling design installation in India?

As we mentioned earlier, the type of material used for the panels can affect the overall cost of the ceiling design. Additionally, the type of design will also influence the cost. A false ceiling made of POP can range from INR 60 to INR 95 per square feet for a simple design. Complex designs can cost around INR 125 or more per square feet. A branded board is always more expensive than an unbranded one, but they are worth the extra cost as they ensure quality.

While 3D false ceiling panels add sophistication to a room, they are far more expensive than POP and gypsum boards. A simple design can cost around INR 150 per square feet, and the price goes up considerably for elaborate designs.

Before deciding on getting a ceiling design installed, it’s always advisable to consult a professional rather than to hire a contractor to execute a design from a catalogue or magazine. Since every room is different in terms of size and style, a design that looks good in one room won’t necessarily look the same in another. The professional can provide suggestions on the right height from which the false ceiling should be hung. Additionally, he or she will advise about the right type of material for the given budget. The best part of working with a professional is that they have a team of reliable contractors who have experience in implementing ceiling designs to perfection. That way, one is always assured that the finish of the false ceiling will be superior once the project is completed.

Browse through these amazing false ceiling designs for inspiration.

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