Basement Ceiling Ideas
If you have felt the need to decorate your basement in order to make your home more useable, there are a number of things you have to think about including insulation, humidity, flooring and also the ceiling. The ceiling of your basement may not be the main focus but it’s something that you need to decorate all the same. Paying attention to your ceiling will improve the overall décor and make it more complete. This article will help you in the right direction when thinking about your basement’s ceiling.
Suspended Ceiling - When you have your basement converted you will find that it’s only partly finished. This means you will probably have wires and studs showing along with the underneath of your floorboards of the room above showing. The simplest option you have is to fit a suspended ceiling. They are very simple to install and you will find that it gives your basement an instantly more homely feel. Another benefit is the fact that you can easily access any wiring or pipes if need be. Basically a suspended ceiling is made up of ceiling tiles that are attached to a metal grid which suspends from the floor or ceiling joists. The reason they are very easy to install is because the metal framing is very light which makes it easy to handle. The only real drawback is that it tends to give your basement a somewhat industrial or office look.
Drywall - Drywall is a great way to install a ceiling in your basement. It’s not as light as a suspended wall so is more difficult to install however it is also very cheap. So if you do accidentally break a sheet, don’t worry too much as it shouldn’t break the bank. The main benefit of drywall is the professional appearance if installed by someone who knows what they are doing. You can easily find the instructions for installing dry wall in DIY books and online. If you aren’t into doing this yourself then you should hire a professional. Once the drywall is installed you can paint it any color you wish.
Paint - If you have installed drywall or some other type of ceiling you will want to give it a lick of paint. Choosing your paint carefully is very wise because it can have a real impact on the whole room. If you choose a very dark color it will make the basement very dark. This probably isn’t something you want because basements tend to have either no or limited natural light. By choosing a white or off-white shade you’ll make your basement feel a lot bigger and brighter.
Acoustic Ceiling Tiles - These tiles are very easy to cut and because they are fairly small you can easily handle them and put them in place. You simply staple them to the furring strips, however you need to ensure that pipes etc are moved so that you can achieve a flat ceiling.
Mirrors - Installing mirrors in your basement ceiling can either look fantastic or it can look really trashy. If you are very clever about it and only use mirrored tiles in a subtle way, you can easily give your basement the appearance of being larger than it really is. This is a great solution for very small basements and is a very effective optical illusion. Just make sure that your ceiling isn’t so low that you could accidentally smash the mirrors.
Lighting - Because basements are generally very dark places, having lighting installed is a must. Using lights to illuminate your basement ceiling can create a very atmospheric look. This can be achieved either by using floor lamps which have the lighting pointing up to the ceiling or you can use uplighters which are attached to the walls. Lighting is not only practical but it’s also fun so be creative with it.
Ceiling Art - If you have ever been to the Sistine Chapel you may have felt inspired to create some of your own ceiling art. Obviously you can’t ever match the genius of Michelangelo but you can have a little fun by painting a mural. Hiring a local artist won’t cost as much as may think.
The above ideas are just a fraction of what you could achieve in your own basement. Have a think over all the different basement ceiling ideas you have and read plenty of books on the subject. Talking to local builders will also give you an idea of what is possible.
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April 29th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Another idea is to install speakers into your ceiling and walls. This is really good for those who want to listen to music in their basements.