Many factors influence the quality of life. One of them is the inner comfort of being indoors. It is known that claustrophobia — the fear of closed or cramped spaces — is considered one of the most common pathological fears. As a rule, we are talking about an increase in feelings of anxiety in a small or enclosed space — for example, an elevator or a closet. However, the height of the room also has a certain effect: ceilings can emotionally «press» into the floor, causing a person to feel overwhelmed and insecure.
For the optimal existence of any, including the human, organism, it is necessary to comply with certain ergonomic conditions, including fresh air, natural light and a comfortable humidity regime. They directly depend on the size of the room in which a person spends a significant part of his time. At the same time, it is important not only how many square meters, but also how many cubic meters of air surround you. The more free space, the more comfortable you feel. If you apply the ideal proportions of the «golden section», in a room measuring 20 square meters, the ceiling height should exceed 3,2 meters.
The first optimal value for the ceiling height of a living space — 2,7 meters — was calculated by the German painter and graphic artist Albrecht Dürer back in the 15th century. To date, the minimum ceiling height for comfortable living is 2,4 meters. Currently in Russia, the average ceiling height in an apartment in new buildings is usually in the range of 2,5 to 2,7 meters. In newly built buildings belonging to the elite housing segment, this figure exceeds 3 meters. Recently, proposals with high ceilings and for the general public have begun to appear, but few developers are willing to sacrifice the profitability of the project for the convenience of residents. Ceilings above 3 meters are also found either in public buildings — kindergartens, schools, hospitals, or in Stalin-era apartments.
Scientific research proves that a variety of factors influence the academic performance of children. Among them is the height of the ceilings: the higher it is, the better the performance of schoolchildren.
According to a study by Urban Group, the most comfortable ceiling height in an apartment is three meters or more. “If you count the number of cubic meters of air, it turns out that in lofts with ceilings of 3,6 meters, the total air volume is 45% higher than in a standard apartment. Living in apartments with ceilings of 2,5 or 3,6 meters is about the same as flying economy or business class. True, there are several differences: you live in an apartment all the time, but how often do you fly by plane? differs by only 10-12% from the cost of typical housing,” said Yana Maksimova, PR director of Urban Group.
High ceilings increase the overall volume of the room. This plays an important role in improving the level of air quality, as the supply of oxygen per person increases. And even in difficult conditions, when ventilation is impossible or limited, a favorable microclimate is maintained — the concentration of dust, impurities and carbon dioxide is significantly reduced. Accordingly, a person breathes easily, and by the end of the day he does not suffer from a headache — a constant «companion» of people who stay in stuffy rooms for a long time.
Hygiene of vision is also directly related to the height of the living space. With higher ceilings, lighting devices are located at a comfortable level, the light is more diffused and reflected. This leads to a decrease in the tension of the nervous system and the preservation of working capacity. Sunlight, in particular ultraviolet rays, contribute to the growth and development of the child’s body. They reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases and provide the formation of vitamin D, which affects the formation of bone tissue and strengthens the skeletal system as a whole.
As a rule, a person is more comfortable in a spacious apartment and from a psychological point of view. Great space, the absence of any restrictions was historically characteristic of the royal people and their entourage. A high ceiling is an open message to a high status, a demonstration of unlimited freedom. In the royal chambers, the height of the ceilings often exceeded 5 meters. Later, in Soviet times, the height of the ceilings in elite houses was also at least 3 meters. So, for example, in the first specially built for the state «top» of the famous House on the Embankment, a ceiling height of 4 meters was provided.
Bottom line: when and if you have a choice in which housing to settle, other things being equal, it is worth choosing housing with high ceilings.