Slanted Ceiling Room Ideas for Bedrooms and Beyond

Put the tallest, most important thing under the tallest part of the ceiling, and use the low zone for things that don't need headroom: storage, a reading nook, a low bed or a pet bed. That one rule solves most slanted rooms.

If your ceiling cuts into the room at an awkward angle, you're in good company. Attics, top-floor apartments and converted lofts all have them, and the slope is easier to work with than it looks.

Save

How to decorate a room with slanted ceilings

Start with a tape measure. Mark where the ceiling reaches about 5 feet and about 7 feet above the floor. Those two lines tell you where you can stand, where you can sit, and where only furniture or storage will fit.

Building rules use the same logic. For rooms with sloped ceilings, Minnesota's residential code requires at least 50 percent of the required floor area to have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet, and no portion of that area below 5 feet. Portland's code also says portions of a room with a ceiling height under five feet may not be counted toward the overall room area. Codes vary by place, so check yours before converting an attic into a legal bedroom, and bring in a licensed professional for structural changes.

Then choose: embrace the slope or hide it. Embracing means a darker or patterned finish that makes the angle a feature. Hiding means painting walls and ceiling one light color so the planes blur together. Neither is wrong. Embracing suits rooms with good light, hiding suits small, dim ones.

Where should the bed go in a sloped ceiling bedroom?

The bed needs room to sit up without bumping your head. Place the headboard on the tallest wall, or run the bed along the slope only if the head end stays outside the low zone. A low platform bed can tuck partly under the slope for a cozy, cocooned feel.

As an architect, I'd keep at least 30 inches of clear floor on the side you get in and out. A bed pushed into the low corner looks tidy on a plan and feels like a bunk in practice.

For a master bedroom with a slanted ceiling, there's usually more floor to play with. Use the high side for the bed and a wardrobe or dresser, and the low side for a bench, a desk or built-in drawers.

Save

What is the best furniture for sloped ceilings?

Low, shallow and wide beats tall and deep. These work well:

• Platform beds and beds with a short headboard
• Dressers under about 30-36 inches tall, which can sit right against the slope
• Benches, ottomans with storage and low sofas
• Wall-mounted shelves or a floating shelf as a bedside table
• Freestanding low bookcases, handy for renters who can't build in

Keep tall pieces, like wardrobes and bookcases, on the full-height wall. If you have a dog, the low zone also makes a good spot for a bed, since it's out of the walkway and feels den-like. Just keep it clear of heaters and check anything you add with your vet if your pet has special needs.

Smart storage for the low zone

The area under the slope is where built-ins pay off. Drawers, cabinets with doors, and pull-out bins use space you can't stand in anyway. A window seat with a lid or drawers under it gives you seating and storage in one piece.

For a small room with slanted ceiling ideas in mind, measure the depth available at 3 feet high and build to that. Shallow drawers that stop where headroom ends look better than deep ones that waste the corner. Custom carpentry costs more than off-the-shelf units, so if budget is tight, a row of identical low cabinets can look built-in.

Save

Paint, wallpaper and panel treatments

Light colors reflect more light and make the slope recede. Matte finishes soften the shadows the angle creates, while glossy paint bounces light and makes the edges sharper. In a small attic bedroom, I recommend a matte, light shade across the slope and walls so the room reads as one volume.

If you want drama, try a deep color on the whole envelope, ceiling included. Dark, matte and consistent can feel like a hug rather than a squeeze, but it works best with good daylight and plenty of warm lamps.

• Wallpaper with a small, even pattern runs across angles with fewer awkward joins than a large motif.
• Shiplap or wood paneling on the slope adds texture and warmth. See these shiplap accent wall ideas for finishes.
• Painting the trim the same color as the walls hides the corners; a contrast trim outlines them on purpose.

Save

Lighting for sloped ceilings

Ceiling fixtures are awkward when the ceiling tilts, so layer light at lower heights. Wall sconces over the bed free up bedside tables. Plug-in or swing-arm lamps can reach into the low zone, and LED strips along shelves or under a floating bed frame add a soft glow.

Recessed lights on the slope are possible, but they involve insulation and wiring, so ask an electrician. Put everything on dimmers and use warm bulbs in the bedroom.

Making a slanted ceiling room feel bigger

Keep the floor visible: furniture on legs, one generous rug and few loose objects. A tall mirror on the full-height wall adds depth and bounces daylight. Hang art vertically on tall walls, and on the slope either follow its line or keep pieces small and in a tidy grid.

A skylight or dormer window is the best feature in these rooms, so don't block it with a tall piece. Curtains that stop at the sill let in more light.

The same principles apply to a living room. Place the sofa on the tall wall, use the low side for a reading chair or shelves, and see more approaches in this guide to decorating slanted ceilings and these 15 ideas for a slanted bedroom wall. For tight floor plans, small bedroom ideas are worth a look.

Save

What is a slanted ceiling called?

Most people say sloped, slanted or pitched ceiling. A room with one under a roof is often called an attic or a mansard-style room, depending on how the walls bend. Ceilings that follow the roof line are also called rafter or cathedral ceilings when they rise high.

Frequently asked questions