How good the rest of a room looks doesn't matter, when a ceiling is cracked, peeling, needs painting or new tiles, the entire room looks poorly maintained. The ceiling is often the last feature considered as a homeowner redecorates a room, and the ceiling easily can be overlooked entirely. Fortunately, a number of inexpensive ways will address the appearance of a ceiling.
Paint
Paint is an obvious and inexpensive way to renew the look of a ceiling. If the ceiling is in good condition, simply choose a shade slightly lighter or darker than the color on your walls to paint the ceiling. Using a lighter shade will make the room feel taller and a darker shade will make the room feel cozier. If your ceiling is cracked, repair it before painting. A peeling ceiling will need to be scraped before it is repainted.
Wallpaper
While wallpaper on the ceiling might seem passe, but properly executed it can enhance a room. Wallpaper can be a solid color or so lightly printed that it only hints at a pattern. If the rest of the room is sedate, the wallpaper can be dark, patterned and bold enough to act as focal point of your room.
Acoustic Tiles
Acoustic ceiling tiles are an inexpensive option for covering a ceiling that is in poor condition. Furring strips are attached to the existing ceiling and lightweight acoustic tiles cut into shape and stapled to the furring strips. Acoustic are easy enough to install on your own, saving the cost of paying an installer.
Pressed-Tin
A number of companies manufacture pressed-tin panels for the ceiling, many of them with intricate artistic detail. These panels look right at home in vintage style homes and apartments. Pressed-tin panels are installed by screwing them directly into the ceiling or, like acoustic tile, attaching them to furring strips. Because they cause sound to reverberate, sound is an issue to consider before installing a pressed-tin ceiling. A rug or draperies need to be in place to help absorb the sound.
Paneling
Rich, warm paneling can be attached to the ceiling in much the same way it was attached to walls. When the walls of a room are painted in a subtle tone and the room is uncluttered, a paneled ceiling can make an elegant design statement. With the aid of a friend, installing paneling to a ceiling can be accomplished as a weekend project.
Tags: Acoustic ceiling, , ceiling cracked, ceiling tiles, furring strips, make room,