Basement Ceiling Ideas - Basement Ceiling Options

Making the Basement look Appealing

Most people think of the basement as a dark and dreary room in stark contrast to the rest of the house. Part of the reason is because the basement is where people tend to store unwanted stuff. However, there is no reason why the lowermost portion of the building cannot be as inviting as the rest of the house. A well lit and beautifully decorated basement will add to the aesthetics of the house. Decorating and remodeling the basement can be a cheap or a costly affair depending on our budget.

Basement Ceiling Options - Basement Ceiling Ideas

The first step towards making the basement look attractive is to tackle the ceiling. A basement can always be used as a game room, a gym or a home theater, provided we let our creative juices flow and think of innovative basement ceiling ideas that will make the basement look more appealing. Wires, ducts and pipes running across the ceiling render a shabby appearance to it. The rational desire to cover up the messy ceiling so as to make the basement more presentable, has resulted in people coming up with a a number of innovative basement ceiling ideas. These range from suspended ceilings, or false ceilings, to a simple canopy to mask the melange of pipes and wires. Depending upon one's budget, one can opt for one of the following basement ceiling options.

Bamboo Ceiling: Bamboo slats can be used to spruce up the basement ceiling and give it a tropical look. Bamboo can be used in combination with palm leaves and cane for added effect. It renders a garden-like appearance to the room. Bamboo mat ceilings can also be used, in case one desires a soft and smooth canopy. Bamboo slats,on the other hand, make the surface look jagged. Although slats and mats can be painted, they look best in their natural shade. A perfect blend of artistic splendor without compromising on sobriety.

Fabric as a Canopy: A colorful fabric can render a gypsy tent effect to the room. The fabric can be stapled to the ceiling using a staple gun. Colorful fabrics that adorn the ceiling render a festive look to the room and make a bold statement. This is an inexpensive basement ceiling option. Some people may also consider it a bit unusual.

Suspended Ceilings: Tiles supported by a metal grid, that is attached to the overhead structure, is an ideal suspended ceiling for people who want convenient access to the overhead wires, ducts and pipes. Colorful tiles or tiles with lovely patters can be used for a better effect. Mirrored tiles can be used, in case of suspended ceilings, in order to provide the semblance of space. Suspended ceilings will reduce the height of the room while allowing access to the wires and pipes underneath the ceiling. This can be a blessing when a pipe springs a leak.

Drywall Ceiling: A drywall ceiling is made of a layer of gypsum plaster that is pressed between two thick sheets of cardboard and then kiln dried. It's best if this ceiling is installed by a professional. A drywall ceiling is about 1.0-1.5 inches thick. Hence, it doesn't take up too much space. Moreover, it can be painted in different colors. However, one does not have easy access to the overhead wires and pipes.

The basement ceiling is generally the least of our concerns when we are busy running around trying to balance our home and work life. However, if we intend to sell off our house the basement needs to look presentable. Decorating the ceiling is only a part of the job. The basement makeover is incomplete without attending to the basement flooring and subsequently the floor lights, in order to ensure that the basement is well lit, thus, making it more inviting. With the ceiling done and the floor lights in place, the basement is now ready to be used as a game room or a home theater.