Our painted basement ceiling. Why we chose to leave the joists and imperfections exposed and painted our basement ceiling black.
If you’re considering and open basement ceiling here are some photos for you to take a look at.
Painted Basement Ceiling
Our basement remodel has been a labor of love if there ever was one. We first pulled everything out and completely gutted it – removing every wall and every stud and every piece of flooring – more than 2 years ago.
Slowly, we’ve put in the time and money to make it what we envisioned from the very beginning. Ever since my husband bought this house over 12 years ago.
One issue to address, among many, was the ceiling. What we had needed to come down, so what should we put in its place?
Choosing between a conventional ceiling or an open ceiling
The open ceiling would mean leaving everything uncovered; the joists, the wires, the piping and every other imperfection. We would leave all of it and just paint right over it.
A regular ceiling would mean to cover all of that up with sheetrock.
In the end, we chose a Basement Ceiling Painted Black.
The Pro’s and Cons to a basement ceiling painted black
The pro’s to a painted basement ceiling are first and foremost cost.
- It’s significantly much less money than a traditional ceiling and it takes less time as well.
- Also, it makes low ceilings feel taller.
Plus, they just look really unique! It isn’t something you see everyday.
The con’s are that you’re eliminating a noise barrier.
- You can certainly hear more foot steps and voices downstairs now than you could before. Anyone upstairs can also hear whatever is happening below them. If sound is an issue for you, this may not be best.
The other con is that you may just really dislike having a dark ceiling in your basement or it may not flow with the design idea you had in mind.
Sunday is a big fan.
Why We Love It
To us, a painted basement ceiling is a really nice look. We like the industrial feel and it’s something you don’t see every day.
The ceilings almost just disappear and contrary to popular belief, it does not make the basement feel darker or smaller at all.
Honestly, it was hard to envision this at the beginning.
My husband was a big advocate for trying it but I was really nervous. In the end, I’m really happy we did it. The ceiling looks nice and it saved us money. Those are both wins to me.
We’ve even inspired a friend to paint his basement ceiling black. That basement looks awesome as well and they have had no regrets.
Leave me any questions you have below and I’ll try my best to answer them.
Source List
What Color To Paint Basement Ceiling: We used the color Deep Onyx (paint was applied with a sprayer)
Wall Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
Flooring: Life Proof in Choice Oak
Lighting: LED Can Lights
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Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
Liz, I’m inmlove with the look of your ceiling however I do have a question about how you made.thisnhappen! Did you prime before, did you spray the paint right over your electric wires? How did you make the transition from drywall walls to the ceiling ? Would love to here your opinions and how too! Thanks
We sprayed the paint right over everything. We painted the walls after and just rolled up to the top. There is no real transition to ceiling.
Did you use primed or because it’s a black color just paint? Thanks so much for answering all these questions and showing what you did!
This is what we are wanting to do in our basement. We are trying to pick out the flooring, color for the walls and still on the fence of black or white for the ceiling. Your basement looks so nice and cozy. What color did you use for the walls? What do you think about spray foam insulation under the floor boards before you paint? Will that make it more sound proof?
Looks awesome! What kind of recessed lighting is that? We are planning doing the same and not sure what route to go for the lighting. Did you paint the light enclosures?
We used LED Can Lights and did not paint them.
Were these can lights with a white trim? Our contractor just installed our canned lights for our exposed painted dark basement ceiling and I was upset that he chose white trim for the canned lights. Do you feel your eyes go to the white of the trim with everything else dark? Do you feel the white takes away from the industrial feel of the dark ceiling? Do you have a pic with the canned lights off? Sorry for all the questions just looking to be talked off the ledge here. Thank you in advance!!!
Did you have to remove any insulation or did you paint over it?
I’m thinking there is not insulation between the basement and main floor. Usually insulation is for outside walls/ceilings.
There is no insulation on the ceiling.
We just did this with our basement ceiling and ABSOLUTELY love it! Over the holidays, I took my sisters down to see the progress in our basement (not done yet, so won’t be posting pictures), and they didn’t even notice the ceiling! It just kind of “goes away”. I pointed it out to them and they loved it as well. My painter painted the duct work, wires, copper pipes, etc. and it looks awesome. Well worth it because if there’s ever a maintenance issue, we won’t have to tear out drywall, etc. to get to anything.
That’s awesome!
I would love to see a picture of your finished product!! Did you have canned lights installed? If so what color trim did you use for the canned lights, white or black?
Hey there! I was just curious how high your basement ceilings are! I really want to paint ours black like this but our ceilings are REALLY low (like 6′ 6″ max) so I’m not sure if that’ll make it look too small. I’d love to know how tall yours are as a reference!
Ours are 8′ ceilings.
Thank you for sharing! This is what we’re planning on our basement too and it’s always helpful to see what other people have done! 😊
What’s the color on the walls
Pat, the article says that the ceiling is Deep Onyx
Sue, she asked about the walls
Did you spray the paint on the ceiling or roll/brush?
What kind of paint did you use?
Love the ceiling and about to do mine I did read through the comments and I have the color you used my questions is what is the finish? Matt, semi, ??? and did not see if you answered was it rolled on, brushed on or spray, really want to get started next month and tips would be helpful, thank you
I’m about to do this to my shop and can’t decide on lighting!! Your can lights look black as well but you commented below you didn’t paint them. Can I ask which can lights you purchased?
Our can lights are white you just can’t really tell when the lights are on. We were concerned about having white against black but it worked out good.
You inspired me to paint my basement ceiling black as well. Part of my basement has a ceiling the other 1/2 doesn’t. I’ve completed painting the ceiling but now have the beams and all to do. Do you have any ideas for me with painting the ceiling that is exposed? I have small rollers and a trim brush is that what you used to do yours?
My fiancé and I want to do this exact thing but are struggling with what order to do everything. After you gutted, did you frame walls before spraying the ceiling? We are adding wiring and wonder if that should happen first as well? Any explanation of order to do things would help. Lastly did you do the spray painting yourselves?
Thanks!
We currently have a drop ceiling. What did you have on your ceiling beforehand?
Love the ceiling!!! I googled the name of the ceiling paint and Glidden came up, so that’s what I’m assuming you used? I noticed there are many different paints …. I noticed that one was for a ceiling specifically, is that what you used? And could you please tell me what kind of sheen you used? It’s hard to tell in the picture. One last question, did you have to thin the paint at all when you sprayed it on? You just did a wonderful job on this and I would really like to do something like that. Thank you so much! 🙂
I know you said your ceiling is “deep onyx”, but is there a specific brand or anything? Thanks in advanced.
I looked up the flooring . It takes me to Home Depot. But Lots of colors to choose from. What exact color flooring is that ?
Hi, we just purchased a home with an unfinished basement, and I would really like to know what paint and how you applied the paint to your basement ceiling. It looks really good by the way and we love following your blog. Any info on the color you used, or exact paint type, and any processes to apply the paint would be helpful for us.
Thank you in advance.
Best,
How do you hide your insulation around the outside walls?
Was using a sprayer a big mess? As far as overspray?
My son and I did this. Yes it’s kind of a mess. The drizzle from the spray actually dries on the floor and you can sweep it afterwards. Like Liz we started with the ceiling, then walls then floor. So the mess didn’t really matter since we didn’t do floor til the end.
I’m moving into my first home in a bit and hate the basement as well but LOCE your inexpensive idea of just painting as is. Did you spray over everything though? I believe there’s some vents and wires exposed. Wont know til we get it. I’ll be adding our slow changes to my instagram when we move (3 months). The basement will probably not be one of my first changes but i can’t wait to show hubby this idea. I think he’ll like it
What color temperature are your lights?
This looks amazing! After getting prices to have basement professionally refinished, we had to go to plan B. One of our concerns is that a few years down the road the paint will start chipping from hot water pipes, HVAC ducts, and things that are more flexible. How is your paint holding up at this point? Thanks so much!
Your black painted ceiling — what finish of paint did you use? Flat? Eggshell?
Are your can lights black too? If so did you paint them black or were they purchased already black?
We are getting ready to do this. Question, are your canned light fixtures black or did you buy them silver and paint over them? Or are your canisters silver with black trim? This is beautiful.
Hello! Thank you for sharing your photos and experience, it is very helpful. My boyfriend and I would like to do this in our home . I am assuming you used a paint sprayer, if so can you tell me which one you used ? Was it difficult?
Thank you !
How did you install the can lights in unfinished ceiling???
We purchased can lights with LED inserts. Each fixture having the extensions to reach from joist to joist. Painted them black prior to installation leaving the LED “surround insert” white.
Can you link the exact lights?
What type of ceiling did you have? Wood? And if so what type of paint did you use.?
Does it get dusty fast and show the dust/dirt?
Thanks! We plan to do the same. Using Black for ceiling joists, wires and heating ducts. Swirling Smoke(Sherwin Williams) for walls (gray). Centennial Oak laminate flooring(HD).
How tall are your ceilings?
Hey! Nice article. I have a couple questions and would appreciate if you could answer them.
Did you prime the ceiling before painting?
Did you do two coats or one?
What finish was the paint? Eggshell, matte, etc
Please let me know.
Thanks in advance!
Hello everyone… I love the basement in the article. I’ve been following it and noticed many are asking the type of finish on the paint. I’ll be working on my unfinished basement this month and been doing a lot of research. I love the black ceilings (Deep Onyx) and would give it a try with a sample paint. Nevertheless, I spoke to a Home Depo paint professional who mentioned I should go with a Satin or Semigloss due to the basement being humid. Treat your option as if you’re painting a bathroom. So to not keep it to glossy, I’ll probably go with a Satin. However, if the sample is not too glossy, I just might have to go with a Semigloss. In addition, I plan on going with a medium dark gray porcelain wood like tile. I’m new to this app so hopefully all goes well.
Just to add, you may also look into “matte” paint finish. It’s similar to a “flat” finish.
What kind of paint did you use for the duct work same as the wood or different
This looks great! Did you do it yourself? Was it down in the beginning of the basement Reno or last? We have a sprint sprayer and really want to do this too! Worried about the paint spatter tho!
We are thinking of doing this with the ceiling do you have a problem with dust and bugs like in an unfinished basement?
Do you have the brand of paint for the Deep Onyx color and what type of sprayer was used?
Love your basement look. I think I’m about to paint our open ceilings black. My only hesitation is taking down the junky insulation thats up there right now. Should I do spray foam or something to insulate a little more? I didnt know how much it would effect my electric bill if we removed it.
We didn’t add any insulation at all. I don’t think it has affected our electric bill. However you can certainly hear anyone upstairs walking around!
Is your basement too dark. I love the look; however, with no windows I’m nervous about it.
Basement looks awesome!! I’m in the process of studing Mine out. Did you kept the drywall with the J bead or anything or trim I can’t tell in the picture?
Do you find that your ceiling is hard to keep clean? I can imagine dust over time settling, and webs. How do you keep it looking “fresh”?
Can you tell me what the cost was to paint your ceiling & sq ft. just so I have an idea. Did you do it yourself or hire out? Did you paint the ceiling before walls put up? What kind of lights did you put in? Thank you for your time
Few questions. We are in the middle of remodeling our basement and we are planning to go with the painted ceiling route.
1. What paint did you use?
2. Did you have the prep the ceiling in any way ? Ie scuffing up the duct work so the paint would stick?
3, how much cost wise would you say it cost you to do this ?
4. Did you paint your self or hire some one to paint? What type of application was it? Spray, or by hand ?
We are in the middle of remodeling our basement and i really want to go this route for the ceiling. However i have a few concerns that maybe you could help me
1. What paint did you use for the ceiling
2. Did you do it yourself or hire someone? what application was used to paint? was it by hand or sprayed?
3. What is the square footage of your basement and what was the cost to paint the ceiling?
4. what prep work did you have to do to the ceiling?
5. We have Duct work in our basement, did you have to sand the duct work at all to make sure the paint stuck?
6. Any other suggestions before tackling this project
My basement looks just like that I love it. It’s a different look
Deep onyx is not real black. it is little dark but lighter shade of black..is that correct?
Love your ceilings. What type of can lights did you use? Do you have a link?
These are my exact colors, even similar flooring. The contractor gave the suggestion for the open ceiling just yesterday. Thank you for writing about your experience because this is exactly what it will look like for me.
Hi! We are thinking about doing a ceiling painted black. I wa a concerned about dust and cleaning it!
Hi! Can you tell me more about how you did the lighting?
Was there a dry wall ceiling that you took down? Without adding trim, how did you get the top of the wall to be so straight and clean?
What brand and paint type did you use? Thank you.
This sounds amazing! What are your thoughts on making it a shot?
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Hello!
We are planning to paint our open joist ceiling and really like the look you achieved. Can you provide some more detailed information on the canned lights you used? Where you sourced them? Particularly, is there some type of material that surrounds the light to give it a square look?
Thanks.
Looks fantastic! We are starting the process of finishing our basement. It’s very challenging trying to decide on layout and lighting and also how we want the bar to look. I had mentioned maybe we could just pint the ceiling instead of drywalling it. After seeing your photos and seeing how a residential painted ceiling looks I think I’m leaning back that way. It looks great and if someone wants add something or make a repair it’s all right there and open. Thank you for sharing, love it!
How much square feet would you say your basement is and how much paint did you go through? Also, what sheen did you go with?
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Hello Liz —
And thanks for sharing. We are putting our basement back together after a total gut and am really leaning towards the open ceiling as ours are even lower. My number one question — how often do you have to clean it to keep it neat and the dust bunnes at bay?? Thanks so much — and hope you still love it as much!
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Are your can lights black too? If so did you paint them black or were they purchased already black?
Just painting my ceiling black..it’s funny but our flooring and paint are almost a dead match to yours…!!! Just wondering what you put at the top of drywall where it meets the ceiling..? Is there a painted out trim or..? Thanks again and your room looks great..!
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Hi, how di you installed the can lights?
Good evening,
Was the Deep Onyx also a Benjamin Moore paint or Glidden? Thank you for your help.