How to Decorate a Dropped Ceiling Where Fluorescent Lights Were

Paint or Stain Ceiling Tile

• 1

  Choose a paint color or wood stain that complements and enhances your space. A light-colored latex or gloss paint will help provide the illusion of heightened space, and a warm wood stain will create a more natural feel to drab, industrial-style tile. Be creative with your design. The inner section, where the fluorescent lights used to be, could be painted a lighter or darker hue to add further depth.

• 2

  Remove the drop ceiling tile. Push upward on the tile to release it from the frame, and then twist and pull it down using both hands. If you can’t remove the tile, use masking tape to surround the area and protect the edges from paint spillover.

• 3

  Dampen a large, wide paintbrush in water. This will condition the brush for a smoother paint finish.

• 4

  Paint the tiles with broad strokes, moving toward the center from the outer edges.

• 5

  Drag a dry brush through the wood stain to add texture for a natural-wood feel.

Extend the Ceiling Grid and Replace the Tile

• 6

  Extend the drop ceiling grid to cover the light box that formerly housed the fluorescent lights and create a flat, finished ceiling. Create the ceiling grid with runners that extend along the floor of the ceiling, and are held together with joists and screws. Extend the grid by attaching new runners to those currently installed. Attach the runners with joists and screws.

• 7

  Remove the old ceiling tile by gently pushing each tile upward to loosen it from the frame. Twist the tile and pull it down, using both hands.

• 8

  Cut the new ceiling tile to size if necessary, using the old tile as a pattern and sharp tile cutters for even edging.

• 9

  Twist the new tile upward through the ceiling space, and allow it to fall gently into place. Remove and replace one or two tiles at a time to maintain the ceiling layout.