It is dependant upon the desired style of the house. Ask the person that designed it.

Agree it is hard to give an opinion on the ceiling without seeing the home - usually beams are designed from the beginning so I think they can look a little ”stuck on“ if added at the end

I def would not want to do something that created a step upstairs, I think that is really awkward

remember the room will have a rug, plus furniture, art etc - my bet is no one will notice the ceiling once it’s done

The ceiling would ideally be consistent with the house style.

For instance, in our neighbourhood, a typical Persian overwrought.

More is never enough.

Consistent with the exterior.

Or yours truly's "warehouse" as the neighbours sniff. (12' ceiling)

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As for building in trip hazards... I thought that had gone the way of the multi-leveled floors that were once so chic.

Saw your your additional question - I’ll let the pros weigh in but just a note that if you add a coffered treatment at this point, make sure it lines up with other elements in the room (built ins etc) — about once a year someone posts on here about how they added a ceiling treatment mid construction and then once the built ins or fireplace went it, the elements in the room did not line up properly

You do not provide enough information to viably answer your questions. No on here knows how your proposed changes will effect the desired design or continuity.

good to know - we have not even signed off on plans yet - just doing some tweaking.

No steps inside the house.

we have not even signed off on plans yet - just doing some tweaking.

Then you have time to post the plans for review in a new thread.

I built a one story "modern-Spanish" style house, so I added ceiling beams to the 12 ft ceilings in several rooms. The architect knew I wanted the beams before he started sketching the designs.

No funky step-ups. You will regret that for as long as you own the house.

What dimensions make up the room? Kitchen, dining, living- those different segments need to blend together, imo, The ceilings can help that or not work. Windows, doors and entrance areas affect the space. I'd include your furniture placement in the design evaluation. In a Great Room it all works together.

Decorative ceilings only work with rooms that are distinct rooms. With ceilings that are already have start and stop points of walls and cased openings. Doodads added to an acre of ceiling in an ”open concept” is just cringe design.