picture of flat coffered ceiling

Hard to successfully change ceiling heights and treatments when the space is open and free-flowing. There needs to be some overall unity and consistency to what one sees on the ceiling.

If it were me, and I was wedded to ceiling changes, I'd find some way to logically use a few walls, columns, dropped soffits or something to give some logic to why the ceiling in one area differs from the ceiling in another adjacent area.

Good luck on your project.

Ditto what virgilcarter said. Plus I am not a fan of tricked out ceilings, so we opted for none except a tray in our master, but our architect does tray ceilings from the edge of the wall so there is no flat area. That was a concession to my husband and allowed me to have a pretty chandelier in there. . We built a "new old" house though - modern floorplan and traditional exterior and details. I think it depends on what sort of house you are building.

I would rather spend the money on pretty moldings or wainscotting in the dining room vs. a tray in there though . . .

Someone just did a 'flat' coffered ceiling. I saw it on the It's December how's your build progressing post. I believe it was parsonse. Check the link. It's a December 1 post so not far to search.

Here is a link that might be useful: December Builds - Parsonse Home

We have a coffer ceiling in our family room (12 ft high) and our kitchen which is open to the family room has a plain ceiling with 9 ft height. There's a jut out between the 2 rooms so we added a column there to separate the rooms.

Downsy, when you get a chance, can you send a picture of your ceiling, specifically where the kitchen ceiling transitions into the family room? Thanks.