Ceiling panels

Which decorative ceiling panels you will find in this collection

All the ceiling panels on this page are self-adhesive and made to go on the ceiling. Half are square tiles of 35 × 35 cm, mostly foam and with 3D relief, also sold in a pack of 20 pieces. Then there are brick effect panels of 70 × 70 cm, also in a set of 10, panels of 300 × 40 cm that are 2.8 mm thick, a relief roll 70 cm wide and a self-adhesive roll of 40 cm × 3 m.

There are, however, no wooden ceiling panels and no wood effect polystyrene ceiling panels. For real wood see the wooden wall panels; for the look of slats start from the wood effect panels. In both cases check on the product page that the model can also be fitted on the ceiling.

Polystyrene or foam ceiling tiles: how to choose

Classic polystyrene panels are rigid boards fixed with a specific adhesive. Here most models are foam, and all have the adhesive already applied on the back: they are trimmed with a utility knife and no glue or filler is needed. Compared with self-adhesive wallpaper on a ceiling, a relief panel hides small irregularities in the plaster better. Then there is the size, which decides how many cuts you will have to make:

• 35 × 35 cm: the most convenient tile to fit, even on your own, and easy to trim around the light fitting.
• 70 × 70 cm brick effect: almost half a square metre per piece (0.49 m²), that is, fewer joins on large ceilings.
• 300 × 40 cm, 2.8 mm thick: long, narrow panels, handy on a corridor ceiling.
• Rolls 70 cm wide or 40 cm × 3 m: you unroll them and cut them to the length needed.

Where to use them: bedroom, living room, bathroom and false ceiling

In the bedroom and the children's room the ceiling is the surface you look at most when lying down, and a relief design makes it less flat. In the living room the brick effect works well even in a single area. As ceiling panels for the bathroom there is a 35 × 35 cm model made for the ceiling: fit it on dry paint and ventilate after the shower. For the bathroom walls there are the PVC panels for bathroom and kitchen.

A plasterboard false ceiling can also be decorated, if it has been treated with filler, painted and is smooth: decorative panels for a false ceiling are stuck on as on a solid ceiling. On the fibre tiles of suspended ceilings with an exposed frame, however, the adhesive tends to grip poorly: better avoid them. To finish the edges and the area around the lamp you can add decorative coving and ceiling roses.

How to stick self-adhesive panels on the ceiling

Grip depends almost entirely on the surface. Before starting, do a test: press a piece of adhesive tape on the ceiling and rip it off. If dust or paint comes away, repair the surface first, and then proceed as follows:

• Remove dust and cobwebs with a cloth and let it dry well.
• With a tape measure and a pencil draw two perpendicular lines in the centre of the room: starting from there the rows come out straight.
• Peel the film back little by little, place the panel and press from the centre towards the edges.
• Join the next piece without overlapping and trim the last row with a utility knife and a metal ruler.
• For the 70 × 70 cm ones and the rolls, work as a pair: one holds, the other presses.

How to clean them and what to do if a corner comes off

Once fitted, the panels need little maintenance. Remove dust with a feather duster or a soft dry cloth. For a stain use a barely damp cloth with water only, with no harsh detergents or abrasive sponges, which flatten the relief.

If a corner lifts, press it down again for a few seconds; if it does not stay, a small square of double-sided tape is enough. Keep any leftover pieces: if a panel gets damaged, you have a spare of the same model.

How many panels you need and how to compare prices

To count the pieces, think in rows, not only in square metres. Divide each side of the ceiling by the side of the panel and round up. With a ceiling of 3 × 4 m and tiles of 35 × 35 cm you have 9 rows of 12 pieces, that is, 108 tiles: six packs of 20. With the 70 × 70 cm panels you need 5 × 6, that is, 30, so three sets of 10.

The price depends on the size and the number of pieces. To compare them, divide the price of each pack by the area it covers. Delivery is tracked, the maximum delivery time for your country is shown on each product page before you buy, and you can return your order within 30 days.

Ceiling panels: do they help against cold or noise?

No. Many people look for decorative panels to stop cold or noise from the ceiling, but the models on this page are only for decoration: they are thin (the 300 × 40 cm size, for example, is 2.8 mm thick) and they do not replace building work done by a professional. Nor do they absorb damp: on a ceiling with dark stains or flaking paint the cause has to be dealt with first, and the decorating done afterwards.

The same goes for noise: they are not designed for acoustics. An acoustic covering reduces echo inside the room, but it does not stop the noise coming from neighbours or the street. If echo is what bothers you, see the acoustic ceiling panels.