Wooden beams that used to be a must for constructing the roof are currently part of decor mostly (except for some old houses). Opting to remove or let them stay (or make or not to make faux ones) is tricky, they have both advantages and disadvantages, let’s take a look at both and at some beautiful living rooms with exposed beams to take the decision.
Pros
Faux wooden beams are very affordable. No one who visits your home will be able to tell they aren’t real solid wood beams but are box wooden beams (that’s much cheaper) and they will add charm to your space.
Wooden beams are easy to install: they are beams created from four sides put together, like a box. When you look at them from below, they look like solid beams of wood, but they are hollow on the inside. You can easily lift them on your own if you are installing them yourself. You also won’t need to add beams or other supports above your ceiling to anchor the beams.
That hollow center of faux wooden beams doesn’t just make box beams easier to install, it also gives them practical functionality. For example, if you want to run track lighting or other light fixtures through your room, you can easily run the wires through the center of the beam, rather than running it above your ceiling and having to manage the insulation and other materials.
You can get wooden beams in a wide variety of styles to suit the look of your home. They can be made of different woods, be stained or painted in different colors, and be given a wide variety of embellishments and accents. Wooden beams can also match any space – from a rustic, for which they will look cohesive, to minimalist interiors for a contrast and to provide more coziness.
A beautiful and welcoming neutral living room with dark wooden beams, a large fireplace, a neutral chair with a footrest, built-in shelves and neutral textiles.
A beautiful living room with wooden beams, built-in shelves, a fireplace clad with cocnrete, firewood storage, brown chairs and a rug.
A bright and fresh liivng room with wodoen beams, a blue sofa, neutral chairs, a round coffee table and a grid gallery wall.
A cabin living room with a tall ceiling with wooden beams, a large fireplace clad with stone, neutral seating furniture and a chandelier.
A cabin living room with rich-stained wooden beams, a fireplace clad with stone, neutral seating furniture, a small side table and a lamp.
A catchy living room with industrial touches, with wooden beams and pillars, a grey sofa and a pendant lamp and some industrial wooden furniture items.
A chic living room with dark wooden beams and a pillar, a blue sofa, a brown leather chair and a duo of industrial coffee tables.
A coastal living room with wooden beams, a grey and a neutral sofa, a coffee table, woven chairs, blue and printed pillows and a potted tree.
A cool coastal living room with light-stained wooden beams, neutral seating furniture, blue pillows, a coffee table and a large jute rug.
A cozy neutral living room with a fireplace, neutral seating furniture, a large square coffee table and wooden beams, colorful pillows.
A farmhouse living room with a large brick clad fireplace, neutral seating furniture, a wooden coffee table, wooden beams and layered rugs.
A gorgeous living room with an arched window, wooden beams, a double-sided fireplace, a black and a neutral sofa, a black coffee table and leather chairs.
A living room with wooden beams, neutral seating furniture, a wooden coffee table and bright pillows and blooms.
A lovely farmhouse living room with light-stained wooden beams, a fireplace in black, a black sectional, plywood side tables and woven pendant lamps.
A lovely light-filled farmhouse living room with wooden beams, a fireplace clad with stone, neutral seating furniture, coffee tables and double-height windows.
Cons
Faux wooden beams cannot be used to provide such structural support since they are light and hollow. They serve an aesthetic purpose, not a structural one.
If there are a lot of wooden beams, they may prevent natural light from coming inside and the room may seem darker than it is. That can also make the room look smaller, and for a not very large space it’s crucial. Keep it in mind, and if you have too many beams and no double-height windows, better think twice. Take a look at the ideas we’ve gathered and decide whether you want to opt for wooden beams or not.
A modern farmhouse living room with wooden beams, neutral seating furniture, a wooden coffee table and colorful pillows.
A neutral farmhouse living room with wooden beams, a large built-in fireplace, neutral seating furniture, a wooden slab table and greenery.
A pretty and bold living room with a reclaimed wood ceiling and wooden beams, a hearth and firewood, neutral seating furniture, a wooden table and a printed rug.
A pretty farmhouse living room with wooden beams, white seating furniture, a pendant chair, lights and an industrial coffee table.
A rustic attic living room with wooden beams, a white planked ceiling, double-height windows, a grey sofa and chairs, a console table and a basket chest.
A rustic cabin living room with wooden beams, a fireplace clad with stone, tan seating furniture, a coffee table and a side one that matches.
A rustic living room with weathered wooden beams and a ceiling, a fireplace clad with the same wood, neutral seating furniture, black poufs and a console table.
A shabby chic living room with white planked walls and a ceiling, dark-stained wooden beams, neutral vintage furniture and a faux fireplace.
A stylish neutral living room with light-stained woodne beams, a fireplace, a slab table, neutral seating furniture and a potted tree.
A vintage rustic living room with dark-stained wooden beams, brown leather sofas, a large fireplace clad with stone, a large chandelier of metal.
A welcoming bright living room with a fireplace clad with stone, wooden beams, catchy furniture, a large rug and a knit pouf plus greenery.
A cozy rustic living room design.
A white coastal liivng room with planked walls and a floor, light-stained beams, a hearth, white seating furniture and a weathered wood table.
A white living room with planked walls, wooden beams, white seating furniture, a wooden slab coffee table and a bold artwork.
A whitewashed living room with whitewashed wooden beams, a built-in bench and shelves, a neutral sofa, woven chairs and a black coffee table.
An eclectic living room with concrete walls and a ceiling, light-stained wooden beams, a white sectional, a low coffee table and large windows.
An elegant neutral living room with light-stained wooden beams, a fireplace, neutral leather seating furnitur,e a wooden console and a matching mantel.
An inviting white living room with a vintage hearth in the fireplace, wooden beams, neutral vintage furniture and a black bookcase plus a metal chandelier.