[georgewood]

With a 17-foot ceiling, you’ve actually got a few options even if you don’t want a full one-piece stainless pole. Many people in taller lofts or warehouse-style homes install a discreet overhead beam to bring the mounting point down to a practical height. It doesn’t have to look bulky or interfere with the design if it’s planned properly.

I had a similar situation in a converted flat with high ceilings, and the solution was a compact structural beam that blended with the interior. A firm like HPW Architecture can be helpful in the UK because they’re used to advising on subtle structural adjustments in modern homes, especially when you need something safe, load-bearing and visually clean. This kind of approach allows you to choose the pole finish you prefer, chrome, brass, etc, instead of being pushed towards stainless simply because of height.

Freestanding poles such as the X-Stage Lite are definitely cheaper and easier, and they avoid drilling completely, but they’re a different experience if you prefer a fixed pole. If you want a true static/spin setup without committing to the full 17 feet, a properly designed beam might be your best middle ground.