Should precast concrete filigree ceilings in the basement be left unplastered?

Hi,

in our project, the interior finishing is just beginning, and we were considering not plastering the filigree concrete ceilings in the basement (which consists of two large living rooms, 1x guest room, 1x fitness room, as well as wine cellar, hallway, and utility room), but leaving them as delivered and only filling the joints between the individual parts.

This could, according to our expectations, give the basement a certain loft look (we had planned black rail systems with black spotlights, as well as black switches and sockets for the basement).

The downside is that the ceiling height in the basement is the lowest (275 cm minus 20 cm for floor construction, so 255 cm room height), and it is said that white ceilings give the greatest feeling of space. According to the construction manager, the joints would still be visible but not as noticeable as currently (they would be filled flush with the ceiling in a similar color tone).

We would definitely plaster and paint the walls (in white or possibly also colored).

Question to the group: Do it or leave it? Will we achieve the desired loft look effect this way, or will it look rather stupid in combination with smooth walls? And is the room height of 255 cm still okay for something like this, or already too low?

Many thanks for your opinions / feedback / ideas.

I would find that okay, but then I would also leave the joints open. Otherwise, it looks weird. You just have to sand it nicely because the concrete seeps through a bit everywhere. And then you can cover the walls with [Klinkerriemchen]...

I would find that okay, but then I would also leave the joints open. Otherwise, it looks strange. You just have to sand it nicely because the concrete seeps through a bit everywhere. And then you can still cover the walls with clinker slips...

Thanks, also for the idea with the clinker slips. I hadn’t thought of that at all. Would you do that on individual (large?) walls, or on all of them?

Question to the group: Do it or leave it? Will we achieve the desired loft look effect this way, or does it look rather silly in combination with smooth walls? And is the room height of 255 cm still okay for something like this, or already too low?

To be honest, you won’t get even the slightest hint of a loft with either filled/painted ceilings or completely untreated ones if you plaster the walls as standard and paint them white. So no matter what you do (in my opinion, 2.55 m is not enough for such a look). Have a look at loft pictures online; you won’t find white walls and low ceilings there. Rather generous windows, iron/steel (dark with patina/black), old brick, etc. You can get "old" bricks for accentuation – and I would do that – also as chic brick slips.

Yes, I would also only do it as an accent. possibly even graded on only half of a wall (widening towards the bottom).

To be honest, you won't get even a hint of loft style with either plastered/painted ceilings or completely untreated ones if you plaster the walls in a run-of-the-mill way and paint them white. So no matter what you do (in my opinion, 2.55m is not enough height for such a look).

Take a look at loft pictures online; you won't find white walls and low ceilings there. Rather generous windows, iron/steel (dark with patina/black), old brickwork, etc. You can also get "old" bricks for accentuation – and I would do that – even as stylish thin bricks.

Thank you very much, yes, I was aware that we won't achieve a true loft look. True lofts, as you said, usually have very high ceilings besides brickwork and also steel windows installed.

We have large windows (also in the basement due to the hillside location), but they are modern aluminum and not in the loft style with steel and glass mentioned.

The question should rather be, what does it look like in combination (smooth wall and untreated concrete ceiling)?

According to your first feedback, probably better to leave it...