Did you just move here? If it's a new place for you, then likely it's something you'll get accustomed to, and eventually a "normal" closed off space might feel odd to you! If you've already been in this house for some time and you're still disturbed, then maybe you need to look at changing or adding something.

It's really spectacular, that soaring ceiling above, but maybe you should consider continuing the wall up to the ceiling to give you the feeling of security you are looking for. Or maybe you could install a very discreet channel that would support lightweight draperies that could go across? It would take a huge amount of fabric, though. Hmm... Whatever you do, it must involve closing off that open section across your bedroom door, or otherwise it won't help your issue.

At first I thought of filling in the top with glass panels, but something see-through is still not going to do the trick. This is a challenge! I'll think about it some more.

Thanks - I have lived here for 9 months and I thought I would get used to it, but unfortunately not. It still bothers me. I thought about putting the wall further up, not closing it off entirely as that would take away the effect of the ceiling...I have seen that done and both rooms then look awful...before I went to that effort, I thought there might be an idea that the experts could recommend that I wouldn't think of...thanks for your thoughts - I did think about the drapery, but didn't like the idea and yes, it would be a lot of material.
Tricia Biglow

You might make the partial wall look more finished with a trim molding.

Oops, forgot to attach this novel idea.

Yeah, I see your pain. You must feel as though you are in the middle of a movie set. So, the only thing you can do is make it feel finished with trim as mmom suggested....and paint it white so it becomes a part of the "vignette". You can't just slap up drywall, paint it and call it a day. Lots of homes have this configuration and they work well. It's just simply not finished...that's all. :)

I really like the idea of finishing the wall with some crown molding - it may make it look much more finished and like a whole wall - I wish I could put my bed against the lower wall but I can't as there is a fireplace, but the crown molding might just be the thing. I think I'll pass on the grass at the top ...lol. Thanks everyone for your ideas.

A canopy bed! Now why didn't I think of that! By enclosing the bed, you're creating your own room within a room. I think that's brilliant, yvonne! Great comments on here about finishing the top of the wall with more detail. I didn't focus on that because I understood the issue to be the openness of the space above... But I do like the examples of making this wall-top less severe.

Ok, I totally agree with canopy AND trim. Brilliant yvonne!

If there is space, you could also hire an architect to design a loft or just a shelf for over the bed. Maybe built-ins down the side in place of nightstands to create coziness. I don't know how this would look, but it is something to consider.

Mmmm...maybe working off the loft idea is something to consider - don't have enough room for an actual loft, but I might be able to create something else that doesn't take away from the vaulted ceiling.

Good choice Yvonne!!

You might take a look at Sarah Susanka "The Not So Big House" for examples of how to make a space cozy as well as playing with different ways to break up a high ceiling. On pages 94, 95, and 106 there are photographs of beds under lowered or slanted ceilings. Page 78 is a discussion of ceiling height as it relates to the proportions of the room. Other pages might also be inspiring.

I know this is an old post but this just silly, Just close off the wall or move to another room, no type of needed privacy here for an adult, or child . Canopy and trimming, seriously? Close of the wall.

Any dry wall contractor will be able to put up sheet rock to extend the wall to the ceiling like the pic attached