Unusual Ideas for Finishing a Basement Ceiling
No matter how much time and money you've put into finishing your basement, an unfinished ceiling can make the whole space seem unfinished. All those electrical wires, cables, boxes and pipes will need to be accessed, but they also may need to be covered up so the basement seems more like a living space.
Paint
Sometimes painting everything up there - joists, pipes, wires and all - can hide everything so the eye is not drawn in the direction of the ceiling. You have probably seen this done in stores and other commercial buildings with good success. Black, gray or white are usually the colors chosen but they don't have to be. Dark blues, browns, deep reds and plenty of other colors that match your style and decorating concept will also work fine. Even an existing drop ceiling in a basement can be painted for a whole new look.
Tin
Tin panels have been made lighter and easier to hang and they can be painted, stained for an aged patina look or left bare. Panels can be hung from plywood mounted to the ceiling or from furring strips that allow greater access to the unsightly mess above them should repairs ever be needed.
Lightweight Materials
Fabric, cork and 1/4 inch plywood are all ceiling possibilities. Burlap can give texture to the room while cotton offers an airy feel. Cork is a unique texture and is often used in flooring or for wall coverings so ceilings are fair game as well. Thin plywood installs by screwing sheets to floor joists, after which they can be painted in murals, shapes, solids, stripes, nearly any way a wall could be painted.
Molding
Crown moldings can set off a ceiling but an interesting use of molding is to install it six to ten inches below where the wall and ceiling meet. Then use flexible, lightweight plywood, fabric or other material to create an arch that peaks on a floor joist in the middle of the room.
Light
Christmas lights can be used for more than decorating a tree. Try stretching some across a painted basement ceiling for a dramatic nighttime sky. Lighting can also be an interesting effect for fabric covered ceilings. If you use lights, be sure they run cool and cannot cause a fire if they are in close proximity or touch other materials.
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