Faux Ceiling Beams

Real structural wood beams cost $2,000-$5,000 each and require an engineer. Faux beams — hollow polyurethane or three-sided wood boxes made from 1x6 lumber — cost $100-$300 each, weigh under 15 pounds, and install with a nailer into ceiling joists in an afternoon. Three faux beams across a living room or kitchen ceiling add the rustic-modern drama of a farmhouse renovation without touching a single load-bearing element. Stain them dark walnut for contrast against white ceilings. The illusion is perfect from floor level.