How to Use Cloth to Make a Ceiling in the Basement

Growing families sometimes reach a point where they simply must have more room in their home. If you're lucky enough to have a house with a basement, consider converting your wasted space into a usable family room or extra bedroom. One of the most expensive parts of a basement redo is installing a new ceiling. Skip the effort and expense of putting in a drop ceiling and use fabric to cover any unsightly pipes and exposed wires. You'll have a smooth ceiling surface at a much lower cost, and the project can normally be finished in one day.

Measuring tape
Fabric
Scissors
Ladder
Staple gun
Heavy-duty staples
Craft glue

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the distance between your basement ceiling joists. Most standard buildings will have a distance of either 16 or 24 inches. Add an extra 4 inches for overlap. This total is the width that you will cut your fabric strips.
- 2
  Measure the length of your ceiling, running the length along one joist. Add 4 inches for overlap. This total is the length that you will cut the strips of fabric.
- 3
  Cut out enough strips of fabric to finish your ceiling. The number of strips needed will depend on how many joists are in your ceiling.
- 4
  Place the ladder in one corner of the room. Take one strip and fold the top edge over 1 inch. Fold the beginning of each side edge over 1 1/2 inches. Place one folded corner into the exact corner of the room and staple it to the ceiling joist.
- 5
  Stretch the top edge of the fabric strip until the unstapled corner is over the second ceiling joist. Staple that folded corner to the second joist.
- 6
  Smooth the fabric down the ceiling joists, keeping the side edges folded the same amount. Place a staple in the ceiling every inch on both sides. Make sure that the fabric strip is straight and that you are not twisting it or installing it crooked along the length of the joist.
- 7
  Continue stapling until you reach the end of the first row. Fold under the end of the fabric between 1 and 2 inches, depending on what is needed to have the strip butt up against the end of the wall. Staple the end of the fabric in place.
- 8
  Install the second strip in the same manner as the first. Overlap the side edge of the second strip over the folded edge of the first strip. This will give you the look of a smooth edge in the finished ceiling.
- 9
  Cut 2 inch strips of the ceiling fabric, each one the length of the ceiling. Fold each long side of the strip underneath 1/2 inch to create 1 inch strips with folded edges. Use craft glue to glue these strips to the ceiling joists. These strips will cover the staples and create a more uniform and finished look to the ceiling.

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