Lowering the ceiling

We have decided to lower the ceiling in both the transitional area just outside the family room as well as the laundry and powder room.Why?

Firstly, small rooms with really high ceilings can often feel like your inside a tube rather than a room. Secondly, we are hoping that by dropping the ceiling in this area by about 40cm we will be able to create a contrast between the transitional area and the family room.

The theory being that by contracting the space in the smaller rooms then releasing that space in the family room, it will accentuate the height, light and space of the larger room.

Well that's the plan anyway.