DIY Basement Ceiling, beautiful alternative to drop-ceiling

When we starting thinking about the basement and particularly what we were going to do with the ceiling, Bob made it clear that we would have to do a drop ceiling. I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan…and by that I mean I really hate them! – so that was a little intense, but let’s be honest here. All I can picture when I think of a drop ceiling is the foam (or whatever they’re made of) tiles that are all stained from who knows what leaking from above.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. That means when you click through and make a purchase, The Twin Cedars blog may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This allows us to continue to bring fun and informative content to this webpage, for free…we appreciate your support more than you could ever know! Full disclosure here.

Many married ladies (ok this is a little known secret, girls don’t let your husbands read this part) will tell you that if you simply plant a little seed in your husband’s brain it will eventually take root and as it grows, your husband is certain it was his idea. Poof! You get what you originally wanted and everyone is happy – all is right in the world because you didn’t end up with a drop ceiling.

Now with all of that said…the outcome of the ceiling we ended up with was all Bob’s idea. It is pure genius, beautiful, inexpensive but he will tell you it was a pain – heavy, awkward and was definitely not a solo project. Thanks to our friends for lending their muscles.

The before…

Cottage-inspired Basement Ceiling

Wow the difference shocks even me and I live here. So pretty! Bob says he used standard 4ft x 8ft bead board and 1in x 3in trim to cover the seams and edges. But you might say…”Meghan the width of that ceiling is bigger than 8ft”…and I would say…”you are right.” The seams were pesky buggers.

I remember coming home and seeing this board on the ceiling without any of the finish work – I believe my comment was somewhere along the lines of “what in the world, that looks hideous.” That was before he caulked all of the seams and edges.

Painting it white was my idea…I think that’s pretty much all I contributed to this one. I’d say it turned out fantastic and my handyman once again proved that he’s a keeper.

I’ve told Bob that I want this ceiling in the resort house – it currently has a drop ceiling, Gasp! – he says, “there’s no way. It must have a drop ceiling.” Well we shall see about that…seeds…being…planted.

If it must be, however, I’ve done some “Pinteresting” on the new and improved drop ceiling options. Not cheap! But really pretty…hmmm, have I converted?

Love the rustic industrial look – probably not right for the resort house but really cool!

I’m really diggin’ the planked ceiling…they say it’s an easy install.

Do you have any good tips for drop ceilings? Do you have strong feelings about them? Tried any of the new and improved? I would love to hear about it!

---

Related posts:

The Big Basement Project

The Walkout Basement Project

Exterior Home Improvement

The Reality of Renovations: a home in progress

Save