What are Raked Ceilings, Atriums and Voids

The right ceiling design can completely transform a home, adding light, space and architectural character. Features like raked ceilings, atriums and voids are becoming increasingly popular in modern new home designs, offering unique ways to maximise height, improve natural light and create a stunning sense of openness.

Whether you want the clean, sloped line of a raked ceiling, or the openness of an atrium or void, we now offer these design elements into a collection of new home designs.

In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between each ceiling type and whether they can work for you in your new home.

Raked Ceilings: Sloping height and architectural appeal

Raked ceilings, also known as cathedral ceilings or vaulted ceilings, are designed with angled or sloped lines, often following the roof’s pitch, rather than remaining flat. Raked ceilings enhance both natural and artificial light, making homes appear brighter and larger, as the raised ceiling height creates a sense of openness. Raked ceilings are especially popular in open plan living areas of new home designs.

Key Benefits of Raked Ceilings:

• Added Height: The dramatic effect of the sloping ceiling adds visual interest, making homes feel larger and more expansive.
• Natural Light: Angled surfaces help reflect light, making spaces feel brighter.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Adding a unique dimension to the interior where the eye is drawn upward, raked ceilings work best in main living areas and family zones.
  
  

Explore the Rothwell 29 at Woodlea Display Village

The Rothwell 29, one of our latest new home designs, showcases a stunning raked ceiling in the main living and dining areas. This feature enhances the space with light and height, creating an inviting, airy atmosphere that’s perfect for family living and entertaining.  

Atriums and Voids: Vertical Spaces Between Floors

While there are many benefits of a raked ceiling, dramatic architectural features like atriums and voids are becoming increasingly popular, as they transform living spaces more radically. Atriums and voids lift the ceiling to the highest point of the home by extending through two or more levels of a home - completely redefining the space, flooding the area with natural light, as well as creating seamless connections between floors.

What’s the Difference Between Atriums and Voids?

• Atriums:
  An atrium is typically a glass-covered or open-air section of a home, usually bordered by glass walls or doors, allowing natural light to flood the interior spaces and living rooms, and enhance air flow.
  
  
• Voids:
  In contrast, a void refers to an intentional open space within a building’s structure that extends through one or more floors. This feature utilises larger windows and higher ceilings to add a vertical dimension to the living space, providing dynamic visual connections between different levels of the home. Whether opening up over a living room, staircase or entryway, voids create dramatic extra space with significant visual appeal. 

Key Benefits of Atriums and Voids:

• Add Height and Space: Atriums and voids physically open up and expand the vertical space and structure within the home, adding sophistication and luxury to interiors. They also allow for creative design elements, such as indoor gardens or statement lighting, improving the functionality and flexibility of the living spaces within the home.
• Abundant Natural Light: Large windows across both floors of a home allow light to cascade through multiple levels – introducing biophilic elements that add greenery to parts of the home – connecting indoor spaces to the outdoors.
• Improved Air Flow: Enhances natural ventilation and creates a healthier, fresher living environment.
• Architectural Impact: Adds a standout design feature that transforms your home into a visually striking masterpiece. Whether it’s a void above a staircase, or atrium above a dining area – they have the ability to amplify light and space which adds elegance and luxury to any modern home design.
  
  

Where are Voids and Atriums Used? 

Whilst raked ceilings are typically used in the main living areas of homes, where they follow the roof’s pitch and capitalise on the space’s larger size, atrium and voids offer flexible application across various home styles. 

Moreover, atriums and voids enhance spatial dynamics and suit contemporary homes where unique design features and optimal use of natural light are highly valued. Unlike raked ceilings, incorporating atriums and voids does not necessitate altering the facade or roofline of your home, making them a versatile design choice. 

At Carlisle, our designs frequently incorporate atrium and void designs in several key parts of the home including kitchen areas, in an open plan living room, above meals or dining spaces and entryways. These features when paired with taller ceilings and elegant sheer window furnishings, add a huge touch of class and sophistication to the interior design of a home. 

Our Interior Design team works hard to incorporate the latest design trends and preferences. Visit any of our display homes featuring a raked ceiling, atrium or void to understand how dramatically it can change the internal space of a home. 

Discover the latest trends in floor to ceiling window furnishings

The Rothbury and Rothfield Grand Atrium Series 

The Rothbury Grand Atrium Series and the Rothfield Grand Deluxe Theatre Atrium introduces an atrium over the main living areas of the home, offering breathtaking views and a cascade of natural light that enriches the home’s atmosphere. Regardless of which floorplan you prefer – the atrium is sure to impress with its visual appeal and brightness that it adds to any of the home designs. 

This series includes the:

• Rothbury Grand Atrium 50 & 46
• Rothbury Grand Theatre Atrium 51
• Rothbury Grand Deluxe Theatre Atrium 59, 55, 52 and 51
• Rothfield Grand Deluxe Theatre Atrium 54

The Sorrento Grand Atrium Series

The Sorrento Grand Atrium home series features a double-height atrium over the open plan living area, creating a spectacular focal point that draws in more light and nature, significantly reducing the need for artificial lighting.

The Sorrento Grand Atrium Series includes the:

• Sorrento Grand Atrium 47 and 41
• Sorrento Grand Deluxe Atrium Balcony 59, 54 and 47
• Sorrento Grand Deluxe Theatre Atrium 59, 54 and 48

The Illawarra Grand Atrium Series

The Illawarra Grand Atrium Series features a striking atrium positioned above the meals and staircase area, transforming what was once a more confined space into an open, light-filled centrepiece. This thoughtful design addition connects the levels of the home, while elevating its overall style and functionality.

The Illawarra Grand Atrium Series includes the:

• Illawarra Grand Atrium 39
• Illawarra Grand Theatre Atrium 44

Find your Dream Ceiling and Home Design with Melbourne Builder Carlisle Homes

Whether you are exploring a raked ceiling house design or the more expansive structural elements of atriums and voids, or the simplicity of flat ceilings, each feature offers unique benefits that cater to modern lifestyle needs.

For those considering a new build or Knockdown Rebuild in Melbourne, understanding these options can guide you to a home design that offers a beautiful aesthetic and truly reflects contemporary living at its best.

Find your dream home by chatting with our friendly team today or contact us directly.