In these times people are re-examining the notion of "bigger is better." This is seen throughout all aspects of society, but is is particularly noticeable in the design of housing. We have all been in homes with soaring ceilings. While impressive, the experience in actually living in these homes has not prove to be all that satisfying.
First there are the practical considerations of heating and cooling these rooms. It simply costs more to condition a large volume than a smaller one. It is also more of a technical challenge to provide comfortable heat in a room with high ceilings due to the fact that heat rises.
A second, more subtle, reason to build rooms with more human-scaled ceiling heights is that instinctively we simple feel more comfortable in them. This is the same reason that most people prefer a secluded booth in a restaurant to table in the center of a large dining room, especially one with high ceilings.
So what is the ideal ceiling height? Well of course it is a matter of personal preference; but I will offer my opinion. For smaller rooms, say 120 to 200 square feet, my favorite height is 9 feet. For me this is a nice balance of openness and luxury over the older standard of 8 feet, but maintains an intimate feel. For larger rooms, like living areas and great rooms, I like a ten foot ceiling height. To me this just feels right for larger sized rooms. The best way to determine the ceiling height that is right for you is to simply take notice of room that you are comfortable in and make a mental note of the ceiling height.
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