Ask DIY: Basement with drop ceiling... What to do with it to update?

This is the basement: http://ift.tt/1zHiODo

I've got a plan for the walls - sand and paint. I might fill the lines, but like the look I have seen online of people sanding and painting these... I'm going to have carpet installed as well.

My big concern is the ceiling. What would YOU do with a ceiling like this?? It has weird parts that stick out. I haven't moved in yet, so haven't seen what is underneath, but am trying to plan ahead. How hard will this be to convert to drywall for a newbie? Any ideas or links for guidance? Should I hire a contractor?

Submitted February 25, 2015 at 06:23PM by jackruby83 http://ift.tt/1zHiODu