Asked on Jan 16, 2015

Help with my craft room

Melissa
by Melissa
My craft room is in my basement. I have used a painters canvas to make a makeshift wall to help keep me warm on one side. The other walls are concrete and shelves. My question is what could I do to cover the open ceiling so you don't see the beams and wires? I have thought about putting up sheets and draping them to give it a clean look. I don't have a lot of money to work with so any ideas on the cheap would be appreciated. Thanks.
This is my painters canvas wall.
This is the open ceiling. How to cover on the cheap is the question.
  38 answers
  • Mustlovehome Mustlovehome on Jan 16, 2015
    Hi, I would paint the beams and subfloor above in white to give a clean look and make the space seem brighter. This would also leave you access to all your pipes/wires/ducts in case you need to access them. I plan to do this when I finish my basement for a warehouse loft look.
  • Melissa Melissa on Jan 16, 2015
    @Mustlovehome thank you for the idea. I may just do that. It would look good and paint is cheap. I would like to see pics of your basement when it's finished :)
  • Sydney Ladd Sydney Ladd on Jan 16, 2015
    I would buy burlap when it is on sale and staple it to the ceiling going the opposite of the beams and giving it a little drape between the studs. You could also find king size sheets on a clearance rack an do the same. :)
  • Debbie Harris Debbie Harris on Jan 16, 2015
    I used sheets to cover the floor joists of my enclosed deck, but found if I used the burlap instead, (because it already has little starter holes) I could use the joists easier when I wanted to put up screw eyes to hang thing from them, and it won't tear the fabric. . Also don't billow the fabric because it can make the room seem smaller and the things that you hang compete for attention. Your in a basement and I assume you don't want to feel like it every time you are down there. Good luck!
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 16, 2015
      @Debbie Harris I had originally thought about sheets but not sure. If I did them i would want them draped and that would take up more of my space. My ceilings are only 7 foot :(
  • Kathie taylor Kathie taylor on Jan 16, 2015
    Maybe staple white poster board to the beams., after you paint them white. Dollar Tree carries this. I have heard of people using old jeans for insulation. I'd stay clear if there is wiring though.
  • Ginger Ginger on Jan 16, 2015
    The other idea of painting the ceiling white is a great one. I'd actually continue that and paint the entire room white-everything, giving you a white box in which you are working. This would give you a wonderful blank canvas for displaying your work, and also give you additional light. Great space, by the way.
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 16, 2015
      @Ginger i like the idea of painting everything white. I love white and it would be so much brighter down there :)
  • I love an industrial look mixed with glam so when I saw the space my brain went to painting the floor black, and leaving the beams exposed as they are. Adding a beautiful and inspiring light fixture (maybe a chandelier?) and potentially keeping the walls as you have them. I also have seen before where a designer covered the walls in an unfinished basement with something that you can use dry erase markers on. This way the walls are white, but can be drawn on by kiddos or can be used to make notes of what you need to keep track of. Edited because I see that you already have a chandelier in there ;-)
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 16, 2015
      @RCooper @ thoughtsbyher.com I am thinking about painting the ceiling but my husband says it will have to be sprayed, otherwise I will be painting forever. The idea of being able to write on the walls is a good one. I don't have any wall space though. We are thinking about putting up a wall to make it a closed room :)
  • Sarah Sarah on Jan 16, 2015
    Also, once you paint it white, staple string lights to the beams for a super-snazzy look...
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 16, 2015
      @Sarah thanks, I already have one strand of lights going across my painters canvas wall but am wanting to put them up in other places also )
  • Miche Rutledge Miche Rutledge on Jan 16, 2015
    I'd stick with the painters canvases. They are relatively inexpensive and cover a large area. Paint them like floor cloths with designs or if you want the brightness, leave white and staple them to the ceiling or hang on the walls. You can do any design you like and reuse them as floor cloths in the future if you like. http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/make-your-own-floorcloth
  • Joanne Halbert Olson Joanne Halbert Olson on Jan 17, 2015
    Use white painters canvas and tack over beams.
  • Doreen Martin Doreen Martin on Jan 17, 2015
    Hey Melissa,I would love to suggest you to prefer a Plaster of paris sheets which would not be costly and will cover your open ceiling to give classy and stylish look. Check out some designs at http://www.danteengineering.com
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 17, 2015
      @Doreen Martin @ Doreen Martin thank you for your link but I am afraid that will be out of my price range :)
  • Barb Barb on Jan 17, 2015
    I would paint it white to bounce more light around. Paint the wires as well. Glue a couple of decorative ceiling tiles on the duct work for a little added flair.
  • Kim Kim on Jan 17, 2015
    I would definitely NOT drape fabric on the joists. It may not only be a fire hazard, but will also bring your ceiling height down. Painting it out is the way to go. I wouldn't bother with the ductwork; the metal is a nice contrast to the paint. Maybe you don't paint white...maybe another light neutral that wont start to look dirty too soon. Good luck!
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 17, 2015
      @Kim Your so right about the exposed duct work. I think it would be a great contrast to the paint :)
  • Gloria Duy Gloria Duy on Jan 17, 2015
    I saw someone paint their black and the walls white and it was very dramatic.
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 17, 2015
      @Gloria Duy I think I am leaning towards white just so I have more light and it will open up my space more too :) But thank you for your suggestion.
  • Donna Aubuchon Donna Aubuchon on Jan 17, 2015
    You can buy large rolls of plastic like they use on tables @ weddings & things & tack to the ceiling. You can find it at craft stores or party supply stores..
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 18, 2015
      @Donna Aubuchon good idea but am afraid of it being a fire hazard.
  • Katie Katie on Jan 17, 2015
    Paint...definitely! Just remember to mark any gas lines you have so they can be spotted quickly in an emergency. A high gloss white will help with the light. Good luck! Show us pics of the finished room!! :-)
  • I think the room definitely needs brightening up...Not sure what it would cost but what about putting white peg board on the ceiling? I think draping fabric could be a fire hazard and i just think about all the dust that would gather on it.....Otherwise, I would just paint the ceiling white and not paint the duct work. : )
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 18, 2015
      @Cheryl Holmes Kirkelie-Sano You are right, I am not draping anything. Just gonna paint :)
  • Donnaleedesigns52 Donnaleedesigns52 on Jan 17, 2015
    I have covered my basement ceiling with cardboard boxes of all types. started with pop can boxes, cereal boxes, and moved to any colourful box that fit between the rafters. Just open up the box and staple to rafter - only cost was staples, Looks very bright and colourful. I also put my magnet collection on the cold air ductwork
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 18, 2015
      @Donnaleedesigns52 what a cool idea :) I would like to see pics of that.
  • Evelyn Evelyn on Jan 17, 2015
    I would try wood slats they range at my local store for around .38 cents and up per linear foot,depending on width too,they are super light weight and can be tacked up with a nail gun,easy to paint I would do white for more light you could do this over your walls to making it look more like board and batten. Given your limited budget ( like me im sure we) buy a little each payday and put them up as we go.soon it'll be done and it won't hurt the wallet as much. For the price of a takeout pizzayou can get 4 / 10 foot pcs, I don't know your dimensions ,but if your space isn't huge you can get it done in a couple of paychecks. Hope this helps,I'm currently bulding a walk in pantry, using all of the materials from the tear out and reusing everything! You could also find free pallets ( the thin ones) and use those like a diy pallet wall! Good luck ! I hope these ideas will ease your day!
    • See 1 previous
    • Evelyn Evelyn on Jan 18, 2015
      Look at pintrest for ideas on diy pallet ceilings . It is really inspiring ! I'm remodeling now you can see the pics as I go if you like, I'm diy everthing myself and will post pics along the way. Facebook me at egrischbowsky@ yahoo.com
  • Mary Mary on Jan 17, 2015
    I have a similar basement. Plan to get a paint sprayer and go to town. We used to have an old lake cabin. There I used a roller and brush to paint the ceiling with good results in a bedroom...but there wasn't pipes, duct work etc. to deal with. My advice: Spray away!
  • Kathy Kathy on Jan 17, 2015
    How about using wood pallets....I see alot of projects using these on floors so why not ceilings?
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    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 19, 2015
      @Kathy I like the pallet wood idea. My husband just recently put some in our bedroom on the wall with a chair rail. He framed our large window with them also. It looks great :)
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Jan 17, 2015
    @Melissa I think the best suggestion is to paint it white - so bright and clean. You may be able to pick up a sprayer on craig's list or perhaps a friend has one you can borrow, they can also be rented at lowes and home depot. We bought on years ago but have only used it a couple of times. If we lived closer I would loan it to you.
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 18, 2015
      @Gail Salminen My cousin has a sprayer I plan on using. Thanks for the idea :)
  • Carol Carol on Jan 17, 2015
    What about that plastic bubble wrap that is used for packing? You can buy it in large rolls. Staple it up after painting the ceiling white.
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 19, 2015
      @Carol not sure about bubble wrap because of the fire hazard.
  • Colleen Colleen on Jan 18, 2015
    I've read the bubble wrap is also good for keeping the cold out on windows, so it would really serve 2 purposes. The spray paint that, it would give the ceiling a neat & interesting effect. Post pictures so we can keep up with ya. Hope you get some resolve. I know what it is like to have to do on the cheap. good luck
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 19, 2015
      @Colleen thank you, I will be sure to post the finished pics )
  • Melissa Melissa on Jan 18, 2015
    I will definitely post pics when its finished. It may take a bit though, there's a lot of painting :)
  • Com1145343 Com1145343 on Jan 19, 2015
    I'm not sure how much lattice work is, but as others have said you could purchase what you can afford each payday. I think lattice is very pretty and can be painted. Using lattice will leave a sense of openness yet you will still have a ceiling.
    • See 2 previous
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 24, 2015
      @Jill Ron Pike I wouldn't mind using it in one spot but not for my whole ceiling. I like the idea of hanging baskets, ect. from it. Thanks for the idea :)
  • Linda Linda on Jan 20, 2015
    What ever you do, please post the final results.
  • Melissa Melissa on Jan 21, 2015
    @Linda I for sure will..it may take a bit though as working has slowed for a bit due to money. Thanks :)
  • OnBlissStreet OnBlissStreet on Jan 21, 2015
    I kind of like the beams. I think if you cover them it will make the ceiling seem low. Have you about staining them?
    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 21, 2015
      @OnBlissStreet I haven't thought about that. It would take a lot of stain but not sure how it would look? Thanks for the idea though :)
  • Jill Ron Pike Jill Ron Pike on Jan 26, 2015
    @Melissa now you have me thinking...a strip of lattice along one side ( I think they come in sections 2-3 ft wide), or maybe over the craft table..that IS a great idea
  • Wildascraps Wildascraps on Mar 24, 2015
    I'm trying to turn my basement into a craft room
  • Gini Gini on Jul 11, 2015
    Lattice sounds really quite attractive. It comes in white and you could add it piece by piece. Would certainly lighten up the area. Try one piece to see if you like it. If not take it back.
  • Lattice or make your own grid with cheap 1x2 boards. You can hang items from the ceiling as well to use that space for drying herbs, or whatever.
  • Mish Volonino Mish Volonino on Oct 26, 2015
    I think it looks cool. Maybe add more lighting or paint the cement walls light to brighten the area.
  • Noo1911887 Noo1911887 on Nov 02, 2015
    How about painting the beams. That should help.
  • Dcarter Dcarter on Oct 16, 2016
    I took fabric and draped it between the beams.
    • Melissa Melissa on Oct 17, 2016
      That sounds nice. I have since gotten walls up but still an open ceiling. I need to post pics on here soon.
  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Oct 17, 2016
    If your still looking for a possible solution how about painting not just beams but wood in between either white for a brighter room or black so that they fade away.
  • I would paint the beams in bright colors, it would be so bright and cheerful and it is a creative space so any colors would fit. Also, we installed a drop tile ceiling in our basement, it was an easy DIY and not expensive. Another option...