Fifth Wall to give more space and light to a room

ll Fifth Wall (the so-called fifth wall) is the ceiling, after the four walls, interpreted as a surface that completes the architectural space. This solution, in addition to setting the tone for the room, transforms and expands the perception of space, without altering the structure of the home. It enhances the architecture, highlights furnishings and lights (and thus increases the brightness of the space), and corrects proportions and heights. All with a magical touch of creativity.

The Fifth Wall, therefore, does not only have a decorative function, but serves to:

• visually expand the space (make a room appear taller or more open)
• create an effect immersive and narrative
• guide the gaze towards a "world above us"
• give identity and prestige to the environment

It's widely used in homes where space is constrained, but also in the decoration of historic buildings, hotels, and modern interiors, churches, and theaters. The idea isn't new, but dates back to fundamental works in the history of art and architecture, such as the vault of the Sistine Chapel, the illusionistic ceilings by artists such as Andrea Pozzo, who creates perspectives “finished beyond the ceiling” (domes and fictitious architecture), the great decorative cycles of Italian palaces such as Palazzo Barberini, where the ceiling seems to open towards the sky.

Il Fifth Wall, when used to divide spaces in the house, it works as a “equipped” partition: it is not a simple dividing wall, but a structure that separates and at the same time organizes and furnishes.

It is one of the most common uses in open spaces or studio apartments:

• living room side: TV, library, low furniture
• bedroom side: wardrobes, headboard, containers

In this way the same structure creates two distinct environments without completely closing the space.

Another very typical solution of the Fifth Wall is as a double-sided wall:

• one side with TV or relaxation area
• the other with wardrobes, desk or containers

 It's like having two walls in a single structure, exploiting both sides.

In these cases, the Fifth Wall offers several advantages for the organization, light and space of the house:

• separates spaces without building real walls
• maintains light and airiness
• increases storage space
• makes the environment more flexible
• improves visual order. 

Read also:

• How to use mirrors to increase the light in your home
• How to organize the entrance space of the house