Looking for DIY ceiling finishes

Projects like this are always more involved than we hope they'd be.

What are you looking to accomplish, precisely?

Very often drop ceilings are used in basements. They have some very pretty tiles now too!

There are lightweight, paintable embossed ceiling tiles as well as the pressed metal tiles for a retro look.

Looking for a cheap and cheerful ceiling treatment over drywall. The ceilings are too low for drop ceiling. I have looked at some pressed metal tiles and some peel and stick lightweight floor tiles (recommended at Lowes) but both were costly. We have 136 sf to cover. The room is basically being used as a kitchenette (no stove) just mini fridge, table and cabinets just outside my sons basement bedroom.

Years ago I found a system that was similar to a drop ceiling but the rails screwed into the ceiling / floor joists from below with a snap in cover rail that held up the panels. I prefinished (stained and poly'd) both the finish/ snap in part of the rail and some 4x8 sheets of 1/4 finish grade plywood. I cut the plywood into ceiling panels (I went with 4x4 but you can do any size depending on your nailing surface in the ceiling) and I like the wood panel look of the ceiling, and I can remove it to work inside the basement ceiling when I want. A hint: the rail system is a plastic so I had to prime it with a paint that would stick then I used a gel stain to get the wood look.

Great idea, will look into it. Thanks