Vaulted ceilings instantly open up a space, making it feel airy and expansive. But without the right design elements, that openness can sometimes feel a little empty or cold. One simple way to add warmth and character is by incorporating faux wood beams. They bring visual interest, soften the scale of the room, and create a more inviting atmosphere, without sacrificing the ceiling’s dramatic height.
In this post, you’ll find 10 stunning vaulted ceiling beam ideas to spark your creativity. As you scroll through the photos, keep an eye out for styles and finishes that catch your attention. Most of these looks can be achieved with faux wood beams and a bit of DIY spirit, so once you’ve found a favorite, you’ll be one step closer to transforming your space.
Enhance a Vaulted Ceiling With Faux Wood Truss Systems
One great way to use faux wood beams to transform vaulted ceilings is with truss systems. Trusses come in a variety of styles, from basic to ornate. Custom truss designs are available if you don’t see the style you’re looking for.
Old Tuscan Faux Wood Beams in Burnished
1. Make an Open Concept Space More Cohesive
This open concept living room, dining room, and kitchen is unified by a simple triangular faux wood truss system that draws the eye upward and adds structure to the vaulted ceiling.
Without the trusses, the space might feel a bit stark or unfinished. With them, it feels warm, grounded, and more connected, without losing that open, airy feel.
Faux Wood Beams
2. Turn an Entryway Into an Architectural Feature
Draw the eye upward with striking arched trusses—an elegant way to elevate a vaulted ceiling and turn it into a true focal point.
This design features an arched, raised cord king post, which adds architectural drama and visual interest without making the space feel smaller.Exterior Vaulted Ceiling Beam Ideas
Our entire collection of faux ceiling beams is made from durable, high-density polyurethane, making them ideal for outdoor use. Faux wood beams resist cracking, chipping, warping, and fading in the sun. They won’t attract insects and are resistant to damage from moisture. If you have an outdoor space, such as a covered patio with vaulted ceilings, consider one of these ideas.
Dock Wood Faux Wood Beams in Weathered Gray3. Upgrade an Outdoor Seating Area
This outdoor covered patio features a high vaulted ceiling with Dock Wood Faux Wood Beams in Weathered Gray.
Dock Wood beams have an aged, weathered appearance that suits outdoor spaces perfectly. Available in ten authentic colors, plus an unfinished option, this vaulted beam style can fit into almost any design.
Patterned Vaulted Ceiling Beam Ideas
Made up of rectangular or square grids, coffered or patterned ceilings are a popular way to add depth and architectural detail to a standard ceiling. Each of our faux beam styles can be cut to fit any ceiling size or layout.
4. Dome Patterned Vaulted Ceiling
Without beams, this tall ceiling would be ordinary. But with vaulted ceiling beams, it's a masterpiece.
This dome pattern vaulted ceiling features an intricate cross-section of Wood Crafted Faux Wood Beams in Espresso Brown.
Wood Crafted Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut5. Grid-Patterned Vaulted Ceiling
This kitchen has a more upscale look thanks to the grid-patterned vaulted ceiling.
Faux wood beams can be easily cut and trimmed to suit any space, and can seamlessly be installed around existing recessed or pendant lighting.
This particular patterned vaulted ceiling is made using Wood Crafted Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut.Vaulted Ceiling Ideas Using Natural Sunlight
The natural sunlight streaming into your home should be celebrated! Vaulted ceiling beams installed near natural light have a more dramatic effect.
Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Log6. Frame Skylights With Beams
The distressed texture of Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Log, installed on the bright white vaulted ceiling, gives this bedroom the pop of personality it needed.
Here, the vaulted ceiling beams frame the skylights, allowing natural light to highlight the beams’ authentic-looking nicks, notches, and wood-grain texture.
Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Sable7. Add Some Drama With a Statement Light Fixture
The large windows in this kitchen are truly unique and flood the room with natural sunlight.
When paired with Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Sable and a statement light fixture, the space is now a beautiful blend of rustic charm and modern elegance.Vaulted Ceiling Ideas Using Beams and Planks
For a more dramatic effect, pair faux ceiling beams with faux wood planks.
Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Brunette8. Create an Eye-Catching Focal Point With Beams and Planks
Vaulted ceiling beams alone help this large kitchen feel more intimate. Here, the beams are installed over faux wood planks, adding another layer of texture and detail that enhances the overall look of the space.
The Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Brunette paired with neutral colored faux wood planks make this white rustic kitchen feel warm and welcoming.Unique Ways to Use Vaulted Ceiling Beams
While these spaces are already distinctive, the addition of vaulted ceiling beams truly elevates their ambiance.
Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut9. Incorporate Ceiling Beams to Create a Relaxing Oasis
Exposed ceiling beams on the vaulted ceiling give this bathroom a warm, inviting feel. And since faux wood beams are moisture-resistant, they’re a practical choice for damp spaces like bathrooms.
The steep slope of this ceiling is adorned with Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut.
Magnolia Faux Wood Beams in Fresh Coffee10. Use Beams to Visually Lower the Height of a Vaulted Ceiling
Vaulted ceilings can make a space feel open, but sometimes a bit impersonal or sparse. This bedroom’s high ceiling is visually lowered using Magnolia Faux Wood Beams in Fresh Coffee.
Lowering the perceived height of the ceiling helps the room feel more cozy and comfortable.
How Faux Wood Beams Enhance Vaulted Ceilings
As you can see, faux wood beams can be used in several ways to enhance your vaulted ceilings. Here are a few more reasons to consider beams for giving your vaulted ceilings extra character.
Add Color to Create Visual Interest
Bare ceiling space looks plain. Faux wood beams and trusses can add a splash of color to an otherwise monochromatic space. The added variety helps break up the ceiling and makes the space feel more dynamic.
The key here is contrast. If you have a vaulted ceiling that’s painted in a cool color (like blue or gray), installing ceiling beams in a warm color will brighten the space. On the other hand, a room in a warm paint color (cream or beige) could gain some extra class from a darker color beam.
Create a Cozy Atmosphere
Vaulted ceilings give you a sense of a large, open space, which is great when you need to feel like you can stretch out and relax. However, the area can sometimes feel empty. In those cases, adding trusses or beams to vaulted ceilings can help make the ceiling feel lower and the space more grounded. It creates the illusion of a cozier area without making it feel cramped.
Trusses and beams are great for this purpose since they give the ceiling a more approachable scale.
Add Value to Your Home
Homes with vaulted ceilings already have strong appeal, but adding faux wood ceiling beams can take that to the next level. Their unique charm enhances the space, making it more attractive to potential buyers and possibly increasing your resale price.
If you plan to sell in the future, installing faux wood beams is a smart way to boost your home’s appeal without a large upfront investment.
Hide Unsightly Ceiling Flaws
Most homes have visual flaws here and there, such as cracks or blemishes in the paint or wires leading to hanging light fixtures. If your vaulted ceilings have a few unsightly elements, installing some faux wood beams can help hide those by either covering them up directly or simply providing something more interesting to catch the eye.
How to Choose The Right Beams For a Vaulted Ceiling
Typically, the first consideration homeowners make is whether to use solid wood ceiling beams or faux wood beams. While there are pros and cons to both options, the benefits of opting for faux wood greatly surpass those of solid wood.
Faux Beams vs. Solid Wood Beams
Homeowners who choose faux wood beams enjoy the following benefits:
- Low-maintenance, easy to clean, and don’t require any routine sealing
- Resistant to damage from pests
- Faux wood can withstand normal weather conditions, and won’t crack, chip, or fade in the sun
- Compared to solid wood beams, faux wood beams are cheaper to purchase, ship, install, and maintain
- Faux wood beams are lightweight, easy to lift, and won’t add stress to the structure of your home
- Installing faux beams is a simple, DIY project that requires simple tools and materials
- Faux wood beams are hollow and can hide unsightly electrical wires, ductwork, and structural beams inside them
- Faux beams are available in eight different styles
- Available in several authentic colors, including an unfinished option
- Faux wood beams are custom-made to your length, width, and height specifications
Unlike faux wood beams, solid wood beams can provide structural support. However, solid beams are extremely heavy and difficult to manage. In most cases, a professional contractor will need to install them.
Real, solid wood beams may also require maintenance such as occasional sealing and re-painting. And because they’re made of real wood, wood-boring pests may be attracted to them, leading to damage and potential need for replacement.
Choose Your Favorite Ceiling Beam Design Idea
The next step is to choose your favorite vaulted ceiling beam idea. If it works for your space, you could even combine two of our ten ideas and make it something truly unique!
Select Beam Style and Color
Once you have a beam design in mind, it's time to choose the right beam style and color to suit. With eight beam styles and multiple colors to choose from, it can be tough to narrow it down to just one! Below, we provide some tips on finding the right style for your space.
As you browse through our collection of faux wood beams and refine your options, consider the following:
- Color – Warm or cool? Light or dark?
- Texture – Smooth grain or rough hewn?
- Style – Flat-lying beams or elaborate trusses?
When choosing the style and color, think about how they’ll fit into your room as it now exists. Your faux wood beams should enhance the space without being overwhelming.
If you’re not sure what colors or styles you need for your vaulted ceiling, you can order samples. If your home’s design calls for something a little more unique, order your beams unfinished. Unfinished beams arrive at your door ready to be painted.
Take Measurements
Next, take measurements. The lengths of the beams you choose will depend on the size of the ceiling, how much head space, etc.
Measurements should include:
- Width of the room
- Length (or depth) of the room
- Height of the walls
- The highest point of the ceiling
- The slope length
- Center ceiling width (if the ceiling peaks to flat at its highest point)
Once you have the space measured, select the appropriate measurements on the ordering page. Your beams will arrive custom-cut to your exact specifications.
Consider Beam Accessories
Old Tuscan Faux Wood Beams in Burnished
Add more character to your vaulted ceiling beam design with beam accessories like faux iron beam straps, iron bolts, faux iron clavos, and nuts. Beam accessories put the finishing touch on any modern, classic, or rustic design.
Ready to Elevate Your Vaulted Ceiling With Faux Wood Beams?
After you choose your beam design, color, and style, and you have your measurements, it's time to place an order. As previously mentioned, another bonus of choosing faux wood beams over solid wood is that they’re much lighter in weight, so they ship cheaper and quicker!
After your beams arrive, follow our detailed step-by-step installation instructions. Most jobs can be completed in a matter of a few hours to a few days.
Ready to elevate your vaulted ceiling design with faux wood ceiling beams and trusses?