How to Decorate Plastic Ceiling Panels

Though the durable nature of plastic ceiling panels can make them a useful addition to your home, they can also look rather plain in their standard form. By following some steps to decorate them, you can create an additional accent to the ceilings of your home.

Step 1 – Plan Your Design

Prior to undertaking any work on your plastic ceiling panels, draw up a design to get an idea of what you want to achieve and to establish a plan you can work from. At this early stage, you can inspect the panels to determine what decorative accents might be possible. If you want to apply a certain theme or use particular colors, consider these in your plans and bear them in mind when you are creating your design.

Step 2 – Prepare Your Plastic Ceiling Panels

Once you know what design you want to add to your plastic ceiling panels, you will be in a position to gather all the tools and equipment you need to complete the task. Prepare the surface to accept your decorations by cleaning the plastic ceiling panels thoroughly. If there is only a layer of dust on the surface, use a cloth that has been dampened with some soapy water to remove the dust. Then wipe away any traces of water with a dry cloth.

Depending on the difficulty level you desire, you will choose one of the next three steps to incorporate decorating ideas into the design of your plastic ceiling panels.

Step 3a – Add Simple Decoration

You can add simple decorative touches by way of designs, patterns and trim that you can simply stick in place. Consider glow-in-the-dark star-shaped stickers to help create an atmosphere when the room is dark. This is especially fun in a child's bedroom.

You can also decorate with paper trim that usually segments wallpaper; place this along the border of the ceiling. These trims are available in a large number of colors and designs, so it should be easy to find a version that suits the room.            

Step 3b – Add Intermediate Decoration

Arts and crafts stores will supply gel paints in pen-shaped tubes that are suitable for use on plastic ceiling panels. These are incredibly useful if you are confident in drawing freehand designs. Similarly you may choose from a variety of spray paints suitable for use on plastic. If you plan on adding color near the edges of a ceiling, apply some masking tape to the adjacent walls to protect them.

From a decorative goods store, you can purchase a surround that fits around the light fitting. You install these decorative fittings around a light cable to add some texture to a flat ceiling.  

Step 3c – Add Difficult Decoration

Some types of plastic ceiling panels can take trim molding fitted with glue, screws or nails. This may require some preparation depending on the surface beneath the ceiling panels; you may need to fit Rawl plugs ahead of any screws. Measure the dimensions of the entire ceiling before you make a purchase so you can buy the right amount of molding.