8' or 9' ceiling height, new build

9 years ago

Hello all,

My fiancé and I are in the process of designing and building our first house.
We are hung up on whether or not we go with 8' or 9' ceiling height. It is a somewhat larger floor plan and house has many south facing windows for natural light. Also the living room which is larger at 14'x17' and on south wall has a tray ceiling which will be 3' taller in height than the rest of the house.
So there alone if we go 8' and 11' tray with big windows facing south do do you guys see any reason why 8 would be a huge turn off? And also in the master and en suite we would go 8', but these are also south facing walls so we will get a ton of natural light still.

I am figuring that we will save upwards of 25k just by going to 8' and 11' raised tray in living room, which is a fair chunk of change to us and worth the discussions.

We both feel comfortable in 8', as she is 5'4" and I am 5'11". We also live in central Canada/Saskatchewan so we are paying to heat often and regularly cook in summer which the extra foot over 1750sq/ft would make a difference.

If you think we are nuts, or you support our decision to go 8' and 11' vs 9' and 12' please let us know either way.

*also it is in a smaller community and older homes, 9' ceilings are not the norm here.

Please see attached photos

Thanks you guys and we look forward to the responses!

Featured Answer

Judy Mishkin

9 years ago

i'd have a local realtor 'sign your permission slip' as to what your competition when you go to sell will be.

i'm only 5'1, and when we moved from an 8' ceiling home to a 9' one i felt like i could breathe for the first time in my life. also, the larger the space, the more 8' feels low... i'm looking at your combined kitchen and dining area, that will feel low.

honestly, i'd go with 9' everywhere and skip the 11 foot tray ceiling, that is the room you'd most like to be cozy. and if you go with 8' make sure you have smooth ceilings and not anything with texture.

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Comments (16)

User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
On a basic entry level build like this, you likely will never get any upgrades back in added value over your neighbors choices. What did they do? Avoid higgledy piggledy up down ceilings in an open concept. It is a sure sign of a bad designer attempting to ''add interest'' instead of good design.
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hamnjan
9 years ago
we just built a house in Alberta, Canada. 8 foot studs, bottom plate and 2 top plates. ended up with 8 foot 4 1/2 inch ceilings. very nice, no extra cost
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You think there is no extra cost, but there is. Drywall comes in 4' widths or 5' widths. And that is only one example of extra materials needed to go beyond 8'.
andrew_kroeger61
Original Author
9 years ago
So Sophie and others,
Are you suggesting the best bet as far as looks go would just to have a flat 9' throughout? I can do without the tray.
smileythecat
9 years ago
Go with the nine ft on the main floor , but maybe it can varied in the bedrooms and hallways upstairs with 8ft.
PRO
Transforming Rooms
9 years ago
9' ceilings (instead of 8') will help you with resale in the future, so you'll have a huge advantage over the competition which you said do not have 9' ceilings.

This is not just my opinion, this is based on 20 years of feedback from clients "I wish I had 9' ceilings".

To compensate, perhaps you could reduce your budget in other areas that could be upgraded later, such as:
- Backsplash of tile in kitchen
- Less expensive Light fixtures
- Wait on crown moldings
- Less landscaping in the beginning
- Oakridge home · More Info
- Hope these ideas are helpful?
Leslie Brooks
9 years ago
Go with the 9' ceilings. My living room is 17'8" x 13'1" with 9' ceilings. If we had gone standard height, it would feel cavelike. We have a formal living room that is used daily and an open concept family area in the basement. That said, your house is open, so a standard ceiling height with the tray may work well.
User
9 years ago
If all of the homes around you have 8', then there will be little payback at resale to go with 9'.
Judy Mishkin
9 years ago
other than your house would sell first, compared to others, which is not nothing.
C F
9 years ago
I would pick 9' throughout over 8' with an 11' tray any day.
Lisa G
9 years ago
I think it's absolutely worth it to have 9ft ceilings throughout the main floor. I could take or leave the tray ceiling personally...I'd do without it in order to save money in a heartbeat. I'm short at 5'4" and going from 8ft to 9ft ceilings is a HUGE difference! I agree that the 1ft extra is a breath of fresh air and feels freeing. I can't imagine how claustrophobic my 6'5" husband felt his entire life! We have standard 8ft ceilings upstairs with a "loft" (not open to the main floor), bathroom, and 2 bedrooms which is comfortable but our master bedroom has a vaulted/cathedral ceiling on the 2nd floor.
PRO
Centre Stage Design
9 years ago
My advice would be to go with the 9' ceilings. The extra foot will give the impression of more space. Have you thought of cathedral ceilings in the main area? I don't know what the cost would be but I think it would be worth checking out. I have them in my cabin and, even though there are large windows and plenty of light, the extra height makes the space seem larger than it is. I agree with others in this forum that for resale you want to stand out from the others, not be the same.
T. J.
9 years ago
Absolutely 9'. I have 8' ceilings and hate it! I'd say if possible, go with 10' ceilings. Evert home I walk into and I'm wowed from the feel of spaciousness, the owner always responds that they have 10' ceilings.
mzloolue
9 years ago
I have 8 ft ceilings and I wish they were 9 ft.

I have done whatever I can to make the ceilings appear higher with paint and raised curtain rods.

But still...
PRO
Design Details
9 years ago
I wouldn't waste money by sticking with 8 ft. ceilings. The house will be much more attractive and valuable with 9 ft. ceilings.