Cedar's a solid choice, but it can get pricey fast. If budget's a concern, maybe look into reclaimed pallet wood? I've seen some pretty impressive ceilings done that way—just takes patience and sanding. Are you planning to add lighting effects too?
Reclaimed pallet wood is a great suggestion—did my basement wall with it last year and it turned out pretty nice. Just make sure you check the pallets carefully for mold or chemicals (look for stamps like "HT" for heat-treated). Lighting-wise, LED strip lights tucked behind beams or edges can give a subtle fantasy glow without breaking the bank. I grabbed some cheap ones online, and they've held up surprisingly well. Good luck with your project...sounds like it'll be awesome.
Did something similar with pallet wood on my ceiling a while back—definitely second the HT stamp advice. I skipped LEDs though, went with some cheap fairy lights behind sheer fabric panels...gave it a softer, kinda magical vibe without much hassle. Still holding up nicely after two years.
"went with some cheap fairy lights behind sheer fabric panels...gave it a softer, kinda magical vibe without much hassle."
Fairy lights are definitely a solid budget-friendly alternative, but personally I'd still lean towards LEDs if you're aiming for long-term reliability and flexibility. I installed some inexpensive LED strips in my basement hangout about three years ago—super easy to customize colors and brightness levels, plus they're energy-efficient. Just make sure you get ones with decent adhesive backing or use extra mounting clips...trust me, it'll save you headaches down the road.
Fairy lights can definitely work wonders if you're going for that softer, whimsical feel.
"gave it a softer, kinda magical vibe without much hassle."
How are you finding the brightness behind the sheer fabric? I tried something similar in an attic nook once, and while it looked great at night, during daytime it was pretty washed out. Ended up layering a darker fabric behind the sheer panels to help diffuse the daylight a bit more evenly. LEDs are solid too—I agree about the adhesive issue though. Had mine droop down after a humid summer... learned my lesson there. Are you planning to leave your lights up permanently, or is this more of a temporary setup? Curious how they'll hold up long-term, especially with dust and stuff. Either way, sounds like you've got a cozy space shaping up nicely!
