Don’t despair if you have a low basement ceiling. There are many ways to turn it into one of your favorite basement features!

Even though most of us are the right height to walk easily beneath a low basement ceiling, many of them still feel low enough to make us instinctively duck our heads. Feeling like a room is particularly squatty leaves many wondering if it’s even possible to turn their basement into a beautiful, comfortable space.

If you’re not sure what to do with your low ceiling basement, scroll through our amazing ceiling ideas. Find out how to make a low ceiling feel higher, and how to make a low profile basement feel more spacious overall. You’ll undoubtedly find inspiration to turn your basement into a zone that the whole family flocks to.

1. Beadboard Low Basement Ceiling Ideas

A beadboard ceiling is a relatively inexpensive basement renovation idea. Beadboard panels come in a variety of sizes. The most common size for this type of wood paneling has planks two to three inches in width, with a narrow half round “bead” running vertically between each wood plank. However, you can purchase beadboard ceiling or wall panels with considerably wider planks.

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Beadboard is traditionally painted white, but it also looks great in black or any color you choose. Classic white beadboard is popular in homes with coastal, cottage, beach, Victorian, or shabby chic décor. It’s also a great low basement ceiling idea in a farmhouse styled home, especially paired with wider shiplap paneling on one or more walls.

Some inexpensive beadboard is meant to be painted while other wood ceiling panels are made of expensive wood that can be stained and varnished. For a modern space that flows well, paint your basement walls white or cream. Then create a wood plank ceiling and install a wood floor—or tiles that look like wood—in a matching maple, birch, or oak wood tone.