When designing a kitchen, most homeowners focus on appliances, flooring, lighting, seating, and the walls. The ceiling, however, holds incredible potential but often needs to be noticed.
Whether you want a farmhouse kitchen vibe, a modern industrial look, or something uniquely your own, ceiling beams add depth, character, and a sense of warmth to your culinary haven. You can even use ceiling beams to improve your kitchen’s functionality.
In this blog, we explore ten creative ideas for integrating faux wood ceiling beams into your kitchen design. These ideas can dramatically enhance both the style and practical use of your kitchen.
How to Use Ceiling Beams To Achieve Your Dream Kitchen
If you’re building a new home, renovating your existing kitchen, or looking for new ideas, consider adding ceiling beams to your kitchen design. Below, we show you how to use faux wood beams to achieve your goals.
Give Your Kitchen a Stylish Upgrade
A plain white kitchen screams “boring”. Add exposed beams to your kitchen for a dramatic boost of visual appeal, texture, and dimension. Faux wood beams are so versatile, that they can stand on their own as a focal point or blend seamlessly into your kitchen’s existing style.
Visually Change the Size of Your Kitchen
If your kitchen is on the smaller side, consider adding beams. The ceiling of a small kitchen with beams can appear higher, making the space feel larger. The size, color, and number of beams matter. For example, a few small beams strategically placed will make the ceiling seem higher.
Ceiling beams can also lower the visual height of high vaulted ceilings and help your kitchen feel more intimate. If your kitchen ceiling is high, dark-colored beams can help the space feel smaller and cozier.
Bring the Whole Look Together
With all of the available beam colors, sizes, and textures, it's easy to find one that matches your kitchen’s flooring, trim, crown molding, doors, cabinetry, and furniture. Blending your beams with existing features improves balance and cohesion in your kitchen.
Conceal Ceiling Imperfections
Drywall seams, support beams or bulkheads, and faded paint are distracting, and can greatly reduce your kitchen’s beauty. Faux wood beams are hollow, making it easy to cover and conceal those imperfections.
Improve Visibility
Secure a chandelier, ceiling fan, pendant light, or recessed lighting from studs in your ceiling. Then, insert the fixture into a faux wood beam. This design element not only boosts visibility as you cook, but it adds a whole other dimension to your kitchen’s appeal.
10 Kitchen Ceiling Beam Design Ideas
There are limitless possibilities when it comes to using faux wood beams in a kitchen. No matter the size or shape of your kitchen, there’s a beam design to match.
Whether you’re going for a more traditional design, a contemporary look, or a farmhouse style, these ceiling beam design ideas can be customized to create the kitchen of your dreams.
1. Accentuate a Shiplap Ceiling With Beams
A shiplap ceiling on its own is a stunning feature. To make a shiplap ceiling really pop, add a beam grid or a row of straight beams over top.
The Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Log draw the eye upward and bring more attention to the classic white shiplap ceiling.
Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Log
Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut
2. Straight Beams Across the Ceiling are Simple and Effective
Sometimes the simplest approach is exactly what you need. Straight beams installed across a flat ceiling can create a more comfortable and inviting aesthetic.
This homeowner used Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut to add charm to a bright, modern kitchen.
3. Install a Ridge and Rafter Beam Configuration on a Peaked Ceiling
If your kitchen has a peaked or vaulted ceiling, you can easily line it with faux wood beams. Install one straight across at the peak of the ceiling, and the rest forming “ribs”.
This pattern, using Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Sable, creates the perfect backdrop for ceiling fixtures while clearing up the blandness of a plain ceiling.
Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Sable
Hewn Faux Wood Beams and Arched Beams in Sable
4. Add Character With Curves
Arched beams add even more character to your kitchen.
This homeowner used a combination of Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Sable and Hewn Faux Wood Arched Beams of the same color to set the kitchen apart from the living room.
Just like this kitchen, consider adding beam accessories for an extra pop of personality.
5. Dress Up a Tray Ceiling
A tray, or recessed ceiling, has a ton of potential. If you have one in your kitchen, don’t ignore it! Instead, install faux wood beams for an impressive, cohesive look.
This tray ceiling is adorned with Saw Cut Faux Wood Beams that perfectly accent the existing design elements.
Saw Cut Faux Wood Beams in Burnished
Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Weathered Gray
6. Use Faux Beams to Make Your Kitchen Look and Feel Larger
By painting the ceiling and accent beams the same or similar color, you can make your kitchen appear larger.
These Old Barn Faux Wood Beams in Weathered Gray are used against a similar off-white shiplap ceiling and make the kitchen feel more spacious.
7. Create a Grid Pattern
Arrange beams in a decorative grid pattern. The simple yet unique design adds interest to your kitchen and creates an eye-catching focal point.
For a more dynamic look, this homeowner pairs the classic look of Wood Crafted Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut with modern light fixtures.
Wood Crafted Faux Wood Beams in Roasted Chestnut and Rustic Faux Brick Wall Panels in Mountain Gray
Magnolia Faux Wood Beams in Cappuccino
8. Make a Big Statement With a Single Ceiling Beam
Kitchens that already have intricate features can still benefit from the rustic simplicity of faux wood beams. This kitchen’s ornate island surround, bold light fixtures, and eye-catching accent wall are perfectly complemented by just one ceiling beam.
This beam performs two functions. First, it dresses up the white ceiling by accenting the same colors as the butcher block countertop and wicker seating. It also provides separation between kitchen and dining areas.
To achieve this modern, yet rustic look, include a Magnolia Faux Wood Beam in Cappuccino.
9. Upgrade Your Kitchen Ceiling With Faux Wood Trusses
Another option for vaulted ceilings is truss systems. Available in nine different designs, faux wood truss systems help visually lower the height of the ceiling, giving your kitchen a cozier vibe.
This open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area feels homey and cohesive thanks to faux wood trusses.
Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Espresso
10. Use Faux Beams in the Kitchen to Hide Electrical Wires and Improve Visibility
Instead of just installing pendant lighting over the kitchen island,this homeowner utilized a single ceiling beam to draw attention to these stunning pendants.
Because faux wood beams are hollow, the electrical wires from the pendant lights are easily hidden inside.
The distressed texture of the Hewn Faux Wood Beams in Espresso compliments the dark kitchen cabinets and adds a touch of warmth and comfort.
Why Choose Faux Wood Beams Over Solid Wood Beams?
Faux wood ceiling beams are an excellent alternative to real, solid wood beams. Below are several reasons why choosing faux over solid wood beams is a smart choice.
Versatile Design Options
Because of their design, faux beams have a wide variety of uses. Install them along your vaulted ceilings to give your space a dramatic effect, or position them horizontally for a comfortable, welcoming feel.
For some homeowners, using solid wood beams isn’t an option. Because of their weight, solid wood beams put a significant burden on the structure of your home. Before installing solid wood beams in your kitchen, consult a structural engineer to ensure your home can withstand the additional weight.
Mimics Real Wood
Made from durable high-density polyurethane foam, our faux beam collection is handcrafted by skilled craftsmen, with great attention to detail. Each beam is hand-painted by in-house artisans to be practically indistinguishable from real wood.
Custom Finish and Size
Our collection of faux wood beams is available in eight unique styles, and up to ten authentic finishes. If you don’t find the finish that matches your kitchen’s design, order your beams unfinished. Unfinished beams arrive at your doorstep ready to be painted.
Faux wood beams are also completely customizable. Depending on the size of your kitchen, and the scope of your beam design, you can customize the width, height, and length of your beams.
Avoid Structural Strain
Solid wood beams are heavy and can put a strain on the structure of your home. If you don’t consult a structural engineer before installing solid beams, they could cause a significant amount of damage to your home.
Faux wood beams are a fraction of the weight they do not impact the structural integrity of the building.
Conceal Wiring and Ceiling Imperfections
The hollow design of faux wood beams easily hides wires, cables, conduits, and pipes that may run across the ceiling. Consider this decorative and functional feature of faux wood beams as you design your dream kitchen.
Easy to Install
Because they’re lightweight, installing faux wood beams is an easy, DIY project. Solid wood beam installation, however, requires complicated tools and a professional contractor.
Using our step-by-step installation instructions, most homeowners can install faux wood beams with the help of one other person, making this design option both affordable and convenient.
Minimal Maintenance
While real wood is strong and durable, it requires extra attention. This includes annual sealing, periodic re-staining, re-painting, as well as other treatments to stay healthy.
Besides wiping the dust off faux wood beams, you’ll spend very little time maintaining them. These beams resist pest damage and fading in the sun, won’t rot, decay, warp, or crack, and require no sanding or restoration.
Costs Less
Compared to solid wood beams, faux wood beams cost less to purchase, ship, and install. Faux beams don’t require expensive upkeep, saving you more money over time.
Choose the Best Faux Wood Ceiling Beam for Your Kitchen
Beams on the ceiling can make your kitchen more than just a place to cook. The added depth, warmth, and texture of beams can transform your kitchen into your favorite gathering place.
Take inspiration from one of our kitchen beam design ideas and start designing the kitchen of your dreams. The first step is to browse our selection of faux wood beam styles and colors. If you can’t decide between styles or finishes, order samples to see and feel them yourself!