You might think that drop ceiling panels are very generic and plain or even sterile looking however that is not the case today.  These panels can be as plain or as ornate as you desire.  They come in a wide variety of textures and styles such as wood, vinyl and even tin.  They can be installed by a professional contractor or they are simple enough to install yourself over a weekend, depending on the size and shape of the room in question.  The most important thing to remember is do some serious research at places like www.ceilingpaneldesigns.com and get a good understanding of what is most applicable to your wants and needs.