Should I Paint My Basement Ceiling Black?

Unfinished basements look dark and gloomy. There is no sufficient light source to brighten the area. When painting the ceiling, you might hesitate to color it black. We have researched from the experts if you should ever attempt to paint your basement ceiling black.

You should try painting your basement ceiling black. If you want an industrial or a sleek modern look, black can make the basement ceiling stand out. Black paint is also good to conceal an exposed basement ceiling and other imperfections.

Carefully plan how you coordinate black paint with the walls and floor. You must also decide the colors of your basement furnishings if you opt for a black ceiling. With black paint, you can add value to your home with an appealing basement ceiling. Read below how the color black affects your basement ceiling.

What Effect Does Painting A Ceiling Black Have?

Why paint your basement ceiling black when the darkest color may not be your first choice? Most homeowners are even afraid to pick dark colors for their basement ceiling due to the darkness inherent to all underground rooms.

Black might not also suit everyone's style. If you are not afraid to experiment and make a statement, then choose black. Read below how black paint adds to the appeal of your basement ceiling.

Transform Your Basement Ceiling With Black Paint

Selecting black paint for your basement ceiling is a daring decision for sure. If you will learn about the positive impact of black paint, though, you might start to love the dark color. Listed below are end results that could make you go for black paint on your basement ceiling:

• Black creates a dramatic feel for your basement. If you plan to convert the basement to a home theater, painting the ceiling black is the best choice.
• The black paint can cover the flaws on your ceiling. Black can hide the existing connections and the clutter of an exposed ceiling.
• Black creates an illusion that your basement ceiling is high and wide. Black tricks the vision to make it look like the ceiling is endless.
• Boundaries connecting the upper floor will not be visible with black paint.
• If you have an industrial or modern style home, black is your best bet. Your basement would feel classy and more polished.
• Black also creates a contrast with lighter or neutral colors. The contrast lets you focus on the ceiling as the lighter colors disappear.
• With black paint, you can feel a more intimate and cozy ambiance.

Who doesn't want such a transformation for a rather boring and dull basement? Now that you know there is nothing wrong with choosing black, you can start planning the overall look of your basement to make the most of black paint.

You can always consult your interior designer for advice. After all, the color choice for your basement ceiling boils down to your preferences.

Should Ceiling Paint Be Flat Or Eggshell?

Aside from the paint color, you also need to select the paint sheen for the basement ceiling. The paint sheen adds some shine and life to your ceiling. To help you choose the right sheen for your ceiling, learn about the two common types of paint sheen below:

1. Flat Paint

In the past, flat paint is the standard. But nowadays, flat paint makes your ceilings dull and dark. Flat paint reflects only little light. Even so, flat paints still work well for ceiling finishes. Flat paint conceals common imperfections like old water stains. You also save more with a flat paint sheen.

2. Eggshell Paint

Eggshell paint, on the other hand, has a slight sheen. With eggshell paint, your ceilings will look lively but not too shiny. Eggshell paint is more durable and easier to clean than flat paint. You also won't need to repaint your ceiling frequently with an eggshell paint sheen.

Even though flat sheen is cheap and common, eggshell paint is better for the long run. Eggshell gives a more appealing and lively look to the ceiling. If you want to make your basement ceiling look higher, choose eggshell paint.

What Is The Best Roller To Use When Painting A Ceiling?

It is also essential to select the best roller to paint the basement ceiling. With the variety of rollers sold on the market, you will have difficulty buying the right one.

Choose the best roller by following these tips:

• When painting the ceiling, you will need a roller frame that is 14 to 18 inches long. Select a sturdy and easy-to-grip roller frame. There are some rollers that you can extend or even attach to your airless sprayers.
• Check the roughness of your ceiling surface to choose the roller nap length. The length is around 1/8 to 1/4 inches for smoother textures. While for drywalls, the length ranges from 3/8 to 1/8 inches.
• The type of roller fiber depends on the type of paint you choose. For wood basement ceilings, latex paint is a good choice. Then, choose a paint roller with polyester or nylon fibers.

Here are some paint roller recommendations you can choose from:

1. Purdy 14-Inch Roller

Click here to see this paint roller on Amazon. 

2. Graco Pressure Roller Kit

Check out this pressure roller kit on Amazon.

3. Eversprout Paint Roller

Buy this paint roller with an extension pole on Amazon.

What Do I Do If My Basement Ceiling Is Low?

Basements can be too low and cramped due to the limited area below the ground. If your basement ceiling is low, you might not use the basement to its fullest. You might also encounter accidents if the basement ceiling is lower than the standard of 7 feet.

Consult your home contractor before physically adding height to the basement ceiling. Professionals know what to do to avoid any structural damage. The common procedures done are underpinning or bench footing.

If you have no time and budget for a major renovation, here are simple ways to make the ceiling look higher without touching any basement structure:

• Use high-gloss and light-colored paint, or you can also use black to add some height.
• Remove ceiling lights and fans above. Opt for recessed or table lamps and fans instead.
• Keep your basement furniture low. Avoid crowding the basement too much to save space.
• You can install tall mirrors to create a reflective illusion of a high ceiling.
• Keep your basement exposed if you want to achieve an industrial or rustic style.

How Do You Paint An Exposed Basement Ceiling?

The wires, pipes, beams, and other fixtures on the ceiling affect the appeal of your basement. It may look messy if the connections are loose or out of place. The cost of rearranging or removing the existing connections is also costly. Luckily, you have the option to keep the basement ceiling exposed.

Follow these steps below on how to paint an exposed basement ceiling:

1. Arrange the ceiling wires on the ceiling. Remove any unusable cable if you can. Also, clean the beams and joists to remove dust and dirt.
2. Prepare the area where you will paint. Mask the walls or other parts of your basement to avoid painting them.
3. Wear protective gear before you start painting.
4. For a bare wooden ceiling, prime before painting.
5. Use a paint roller to coat the ceiling. You can also use an airless sprayer for more convenience.
6. Install your recessed lights on the ceiling. Paint the sides of the light casing if these do not match the ceiling color.
7. Recoat the spots that need more paint.

In Closing

Choosing black paint for your basement is a daring choice. Black is best for modern and industrial-style basements. Most shy away from black because it might add more darkness in the basement. But surprisingly, black creates an illusion of a higher basement ceiling.

With black paint, you can paint an exposed basement ceiling. You won't have to worry about hiding the connections on the ceiling. To get great results in painting, you must choose the right paint roller. Also, the right sheen can brighten the basement ceiling. Upgrade your basement ceiling with black paint now!