What To Do With Your Basement Ceiling
If you’re not used to doing research, you might imagine that looking for basement ceiling ideas and other useful tips to help you turn your basement into a comfortable place would be a difficult process – after all, it’s hardly the sort of subject people burn the midnight oil thinking about, is it? Well, before you go leaping to conclusions, try searching the internet. You may be surprised at the endless number of people who, in their obsession with home improvement, have posted their thoughts and ideas on message boards and DIY sites. The internet is also great as it allows you to browse images of renovated basements to get a rough idea of the options available, and what might best suit you. Magazines are another visual resource for unique basement ceiling ideas.
Ceiling height plays an important part in the design of any basement. If you have a low ceiling, you will have to work harder to change the area’s unfinished, cave-like appearance. Clever lighting is one way of creating the impression of larger space. Place your lights in sconces, as opposed to on the ceiling, having anything hanging from the ceiling will only reinforce the feeling of a crowded space. Fluorescent lighting should be avoided, due to the very stark shadows it casts, and the negative effect it has on peoples’ eyes.
If you have windows, take advantage of them as much as possible. Next to windows, mirrors are perhaps the most obvious tools in terms of creating the illusion of space in a small area.. Installing mirrors on the ceiling can lend the lighting in your basement a pleasant ambient quality, helping to eliminate shadows.
There are several options for basement ceilings you can consider while renovating your basement. Suspended ceilings require metal frames which hang from ceiling joints, supporting ceiling tiles. They’re one of the easiest ceilings to put up, mostly due to their low weight, which translates into fast installation.
Installing a stretch is more expensive, but results in a better looking finish. Purchase some polyvinyl chloride membrane, stretch it and clip it on the area to serve as a frame. These suspended panels are available in many colors, and will help you obtain a more stylish look for your newly renovated basement.
A drywall ceiling limits your access to plumbing or electrical wiring. For DIY enthusiasts, it’s important to have access to these fixtures for repairing or assessing problems. Drywall ceilings can also be quite tricky to install, so it’s usually a good idea to hire professionals to do the work. Keep this option in mind if your basement has low ceilings, as drywall ceilings require significantly less space than suspended ceilings.
Adding acoustic dampeners is one of those basement ceiling ideas that can save you a lot of potential hassle and discord in your home. By keeping sound waves from leaving the basement, they can help you convert your basement into a studio for your kid and his friends to have band practice or listen to loud music. Acoustic ceiling tile assemblies are similar to suspended ceilings, and removing the tiles is easy should you need to access plumbing or electrical fixtures. Basement ceiling tiles of this type come in a wide variety of sizes, colors and styles.
The ‘industrial look’ basement ceiling is popular due to its convenience relative to the other solutions. The instructions couldn’t be more idiot-proof: simply paint your basement ceiling, pipes and wiring included. This obviously will take a much smaller chunk out of your budget, allowing you to spend that hard earned cash on accessories or appliances. However, it is highly recommended to have a good browse through the various types of paints available at your hardware store, and the items that can be painted with each type. Remember that for a great many types of paints, the paint will not properly adhere to surfaces if you don’t first clean them thoroughly. Remember that lighter colors work better in low ceilinged spaces.
If these basement ceiling ideas appeal to you, don’t let the flow of creativity stop here. The best DIY projects are often those based on mounds of investigation. Look into all the other unique things people have done to their basements, and mix and match until you’ve crafted an image of your own dream space.
