Bonjour and welcome to the Art of the Home gallery of living rooms with exposed beams! We handpicked these beautiful living room pictures just for you. We hope you’ll enjoy them!
In the olden days, overhead beams generally have a functional purpose of supporting the weight of the roof or the upper floors. Think of Medieval castles with old-world appeal, a small storybook cottage in the woods, a country-chic farmhouse with a red barn — we all picture them with heavy aged wood beams on the ceiling! Now, the use of beams has since then evolved to include a decorative purpose, bringing character and aesthetic appeal with their addition. They can exude the charm of French country style, warmth in ski resorts, mountain lodges, and wood cabins. They add homey ambiance and visual contrast into Mediterranean inspired homes. These exposed beams are eye-catching features that bring depth, texture, and drama to ceilings. Very high ceilings are balanced out with beams, or they draw the eyes up, inviting you to notice the space beyond your line of sight. A plain or ordinary room can transform with the addition of beams without taking up any floor space! You can match decor elements with the wood beam (material, stain, finish) to bring a cohesive look in your living room, or mount interesting light fixtures from them to make them stand out more. Cozy, comforting, charming -just some of the words that describe the feelings exposed wooden beams bring to any home.
If you are on your way of adding (or exposing) beams in your living room, here are some of the options and ideas you can consider. You can opt for gorgeous hand-hewn solid wood beams with heavy iron bolts or corbels to complete the look of a Mediterranean-style home or a rustic lodge. A farmhouse or cottage-inspired home with stone flooring or stone veneer walls paired with wood ceiling beams give an old-world earthy ambiance. Hefty and solid arched wood beams work best on high-vaulted ceilings, while the lines and shapes of coffered beams instantly draw the eye up, bringing the ceiling into focus. You can also paint beams to create a lovely look for contemporary homes. How about white walls paired with straight white beams, or white walls with black beams for high contrast and drama? Or you can keep the beams natural looking with wood stains in hues of brown and tie things up by adding wood furniture, hardwood flooring, railings, or natural elements with the same wood tones. When it comes to materials, real wood is the best but can be pricey and heavy. You can use reclaimed wood or salvaged barn wood as an economical and eco-friendly solution. They also have a lovely aged patina and character that is hard to replicate. Box wood beams and faux beams are lightweight alternatives that are readily available commercially. They are inexpensive and come in colors and textures that closely resemble real wood. So take your styling to new heights with these charming and rustic additions.
So take a peek at our gallery below of seven impressive living rooms with exposed beams. Hope you enjoy the photos and find the beams of your dreams, beautiful day to you!
1. Square Space…
The Little Plus: the rustic coffered ceiling using exposed wood beams. The clean squares from the ceiling and French doors (with same stained finish) show a rhythm in its uniformity. An olive green velvet settee in the corner offers a quiet nook for romantic tête-à-tête. Also the fireplace, its columns and mantel call back the white walls and complements the board and batten wainscoting.
2. Rustic Curlicues…
The Little Plus: the aged wood custom cabinets and square coffee center table with matching dark stain and distressed finish. A French country scrolled wooden chandelier hangs over this rustic coffee table. Notice the nifty drawers which offer lots of storage for magazines and various odds and ends. And how about that gilded copper leaf and branch decor – vintage heirloom piece that can work well with any design theme and calling back the fireplace screen with the leaf and curlicue motif.
3. Medieval Appeal…
The Little Plus: the dark-stained exposed beam with decorative corbels. Two clerestory windows serve to illuminate the raised ceiling with natural light (or moonlight in the evenings). A wrought iron chandelier gives a warm glow over the living room. And one cannot miss the bespoke oak door reminiscent of Medieval times complete with antique brass pulls that serve as a wall decor, pulling all the dark stained wood pieces in the room together.
4. Marionette Lamps…
The Little Plus: the angled ceiling beams that draw the eyes to travel around the room. Also, the geometric cage pendant lights hang from a bridge-like truss that marks the entryway to the kitchen. The eclectic details in the wood properties – uneven railings on the second level, tree trunk posts, 3D effect of beams on ceiling and skylights – very attractive. And notice the multi-colored marionette hanging lights with faceted wooden shades? Edgy and artsy! A large aquarium doubles as a divider that blends in with the overall look because of its use of wood. Say hello to Nemo, everyone!
5. Mountain Manor…
The Little Plus: the warm vacation lodge feel of a cathedral ceiling with exposed beams. A rustic stone fireplace with reclaimed wood mantel and wide stone hearth guarantees that you’d feel warm and snug as a bug in a rug. Imagine the leather and wood ottoman coffee table with a tray of hot cocoa for the entire family. And notice the table lamp with branchy base, calling back the woods viewed from the wood-framed windows.
6. Standout Table…
The Little Plus: the raw feel of the stone accent wall. Like a canvas for the space, the light stone cladding welcomes the contrast from the dark wood cabinets and fireplace. And the potted banana tree, with its broad, shiny leaves lend an oriental leafy touch to the room. Notice the paneled wood center table? The distressed two-tone finish and unique design make it a standout piece, a fitting stand for the equally unique wooden vases.
7. Shades of Bamboo…
The Little Plus: the bamboo blinds calling back the exposed beams overhead. Keeping in line with the naturally organic theme of this living room are the wicker armchair with footstool and the wicker basket under the coffee table. And that basket is sturdy enough to double as an ottoman or a side table…such a helper!