The Rise and Fall of Ceilings
For decades, the norm for ceiling height was 8 feet. And then came McMansion mania. Foyers and family rooms soared to two stories. Balconies overlooked downstairs rooms. They made homes look impressive and grand.
But downstairs was often cold because heat rose to the ceiling. Upstairs was noisy because TV and other sounds rose, too.
Thanks to the demand for better energy efficiency and more efficient use of space, ceilings have been trending downward.