My mom hangs a yarn puff ball thing from the island corner in her kitchen for the toddler grandchildren as they enter the height that is tall enough to hit their head on the overhang, but not tall enough to see it. The yarn ball hangs low enough to act as a reminder to go around it because it is at eye height.

Or, why not just get athletic padding/foam... like what they use on the walls of HS gymnasiums and attach it all the way around in a color that is acceptable to you? So, if you do hit it, you don't end up with a concussion--just an embarrassing thud?

I think I might try to fashion a piece of lightweight wood -- think beadboard -- about 4" by 12" -- and attach it along its long edge to the ceiling jut with a couple of two-way swing-hinges.

You could even paint a whimsical message on it... something like "Heads Up!" in brightly colored letters.

This will catch the eye and prevent head-banging, but you'll be able to swing it up out of the way when you need the extra room.

I would cut it in this shape -- with the curves facing downward -- and attach it to the ceiling by the long straight edge. (Note: This picture shows it upside down.)

Or you could go rustic, and hang something like this from a couple of lightweight chains:

Again, the sign should be small, and lightweight enough to cause no injury if you do bang into it.

I like the yarn ball idea (or Christmas ornament, or tennis ball - you can change it seasonally). Hang it so you hit it in time to move to the left before you bonk your head on the outcrop.

I'd frame a bump out in the bedroom. It's not that tough and you may have modern code clearance when you're finished.

This post was edited by Trebruchet on Thu, Jul 17, 14 at 19:15

Install a guard rail, padded with a brightly colored "pool noodle" for visibility, where the red triangle is.

You could have it as a flip-up or screwed to the wall so you can remove it when needed.