Natural elements like neutral colors and exposed wood add timeless beauty and charm to your home. And, reclaimed wood beams, in particular, certainly deliver that organic, earthy feel that makes a space feel cozy and warm.
You may want to jump on this design trend but have reservations about installation. While real wood beams are extremely heavy, expensive to purchase, and challenging to install, you don’t have to go that route!
Faux wood beams are a popular (and much more affordable) alternative. Better yet, they are made from durable high-density polyurethane, so they’re lightweight, easy to handle, and can be custom-sized to fit your space.
To help you find your inspiration, we’ve gathered 12 of our favorite exposed ceiling beam ideas!
Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Cappuccino
1. Use Ceiling Beams to Define Rooms in an Open Floor Plan
Open floor plans are extremely popular in modern homes. However, sometimes it can be difficult to feel like your space has defined rooms. This makes it hard to create different designs for different areas.
This homeowner Intricately placed exposed wood ceiling beams in their kitchen to make the center island stand out and feel separate from the dining space. All of this elegance without compromising the open flow of your kitchen!
Magnolia Faux Wood Beams in Fresh Coffee
2. Use Faux Wood Beams to Accentuate a Cathedral Ceiling
A cathedral ceiling with exposed beams can draw the eye upwards, making the space feel larger. This accentuates and opens up the whole area.
In this case, the high contrast between the light ceiling and dark beams further draws emphasis to the high ceiling.
Magnolia Faux Wood Beams & Mantel in Dark Walnut
3. Frame a Gorgeous Light Fixture With Faux Wood Beams
Pull the look together with a stunning light fixture. This exposed beam ceiling living room idea frames the chandelier with narrow, evenly spaced beams.
For a seamless look, install your chandelier or recessed lighting directly into the beams. Unlike solid wood beams, faux wood beams are hollow, so it’s easy to feed electrical wires through them.
This can be especially useful if you want to attach lighting to a corner at the apex of your ceiling. It can be difficult to get the lighting flush with the ceiling in this position. In this case, a faux beam can be a functional way to mask wiring.
Faux Wood Beams Open Concept
4. Create a Cozy Atmosphere With Exposed Trusses
High vaulted ceilings can make a room feel large and elegant but may take away a desired sense of coziness. Creating trusses with faux beams warms up any room without sacrificing the openness that high ceilings offer.
These beautifully constructed trusses also flow well with the fireplace surround.
Old English Mantel in Burnished & Sedona Faux Stone Wall Panel in Slate Gray
5. Upgrade Your Fireplace With a Faux Wood Mantel
One of the most popular uses of reclaimed wood is for fireplace mantels, and faux wood can produce the same effect. Along with stone paneling, faux wood creates a beautifully organic look.
Your fireplace is the centerpiece of your living room - a place for family and friends to gather. Using a faux wood beam to create the rustic look you desire can change the ambiance of a whole room.
Wood Crafted Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut & Rustic Faux Brick Panels in Mountain Gray
6. Create Unique Geometric Ceiling Patterns
The lightweight nature and customization options of faux wood beams make it easy to install more detailed designs that might be impossible with real wood.
Due to the weight and bulk of solid wood beams, it can be challenging to cut and hoist them. On the other hand, faux wood beams can be altered with common household woodworking tools.
Wood Crafted Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut & Rustic Faux Brick Panels in Mountain Gray
7. Change the Look of Your Home’s Exterior
Faux wood beams are perfect for outdoor use! Lightweight faux wood beams can completely change the look of your home’s exterior without adding undue stress to its structure.
Because they’re made of high-density polyurethane, they are resistant to normal weather conditions and resistant to cracking, chipping, and fading in the sun. Unlike real wood, faux wood won’t attract pests.
Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Fresh Coffee
8. Create Contrast on Light Ceilings and Walls
The contrast of dark wood beams against a bright white ceiling is a stunning architectural feature of its own. This juxtaposition makes the space look elegant and expensive.
If you already have a shiplap ceiling or want to create one, exposed beams over a shiplap ceiling add another layer of eye-catching beauty.
Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Fresh Coffee
9. Combine Faux Wood Beams With Stone Columns to Frame a Room
Faux wood beams make design projects easy. But combining them with faux stone or brick paneling can expand your design possibilities.
This exposed beam ceiling idea shows faux exposed wood beams used to frame and define the living area.
Wind Drift Faux Wood Beams in Fresh Coffee
10. Use Faux Wood Beams to Highlight a Room’s Best Feature
Beams can be used to highlight the built-in furniture, cabinetry, or favorite features you already have installed.
Framing a room’s focal point or architecture, like this staircase and accent wall, delivers a seamless and professional look.
Magnolia Faux Wood Beams in Brunette
11. Create a Cozy Bathroom With Exposed Wood Beams
The rustic, welcoming look of faux wood beams can create a calming and cozy atmosphere. Even in small spaces and nooks, faux wood ceiling beams can be cut with ordinary woodworking tools to fit.
This homeowner made the most out of the small space the bathtub sits in. With the addition of beams and elegant lighting, the entire bathroom is transformed.
Old Tuscan Faux Wood beams in Fresh Coffee
12. Use Exposed Wood Beams to Cover Your Columns
If the columns supporting your front porch or outdoor living space are looking a little dull or dated, wrap them with faux wood beams!
Or, use them to cover and disguise other structural components, such as ventilation systems or electrical wires. This will help create a more natural-looking outdoor area.
Use Faux Exposed Wood Beams In Your Next Project!
Faux wood beams not only bring timeless beauty to your home, they’re easy to maintain and easy to install yourself. Whether you’re building a new home, or remodeling one room, consider adding faux wood beams to your next project.
AZ Faux has a wide variety of faux wood beams in eight styles and several authentic colors. If you don’t see the color that fits your design, order your beams unfinished so they can be painted or stained to suit your style.
Are you ready to get started on your home transformation? Check out our collection of faux wood beams.
Looking for more inspirational ways to use faux wood beams? View more design ideas on our website.