Steve Watson of Stamford, CT-based Steve Watson Design says, “The ceiling in a basement is probably more important than a ceiling in any other room of the house because of its height. A finished ceiling in a basement makes the space a room. You tend to notice the ceilings in basements more because they’re typically lower.”

Basement Ceiling Design Ideas

Armstrong Residential Ceilings has a variety of decorative ceilings to help you take your basement from dreary to dreamy. If you’re looking for something a little bit different, Armstrong’s easy-to-install 12” x 12” Tin Look tiles are for you. With detailed historical patterns, Tin Look is an eye-catching basement ceiling that creates a cozy, vintage feel. Another basement finishing idea is Easy Elegance coffered ceilings. This ceiling type offers the classic coffered ceiling look but at a fraction of the cost of custom work. You can even install Easy Elegance yourself! The panels are made of rigid PVC and fit into a standard drop ceiling grid.

“Typically in basements you are closing off ductwork and other mechanical items for a more finished look so those obstructions seem to fade away,” says Watson. “Consider a multi-level ceiling and then accent it with color or faux exposed beams depending on the height to give it that ultimate designer touch. Keep the ceiling color off-white or lighter than the walls so the space does not feel like it is closing in on you.”

Of course, drop ceilings are still a popular choice for the basement, but they’re not the “office-type” drop ceilings you might expect. Today’s drop ceilings come in stylish 2’x 2’ panels with textured or smooth visuals and edge treatments.

Ceiling Panels Resist Mold and Mildew

Another reason to choose a decorative ceiling is performance. Many ceiling products can do more than look pretty—they actually help improve the comfort of the space. Many of the products help reduce sound and resist mold and mildew. Unlike a typical drywall ceiling, Armstrong ceiling products can actually help improve the comfort of your basement.

“For mold and mildew resistance, look for drop ceiling panels enhanced with BioBlock, says Lori Rowley, marketing manager, Armstrong Residential Ceilings. “This is an anti-microbial treatment that inhibits the growth of mold and mildew and other types of bacteria, which is ideal for basements.”

If you want to create a “green” basement, most of Armstrong’s ceiling products contain at least 24 percent recycled materials and some as much as 95 percent. 

You can find Armstrong ceilings at home improvement retailers throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, call 1-800-233-3823 or visit Armstrong Residential Ceilings.