Basement Lighting Ideas

One of the many ways to make any home feel more expansive and comfortable is to finish and decorate the basement.  However, basements are a bit different from the above ground rooms.  Basement ideas for décor need to focus on lighting, as many basements have small windows or few to no windows.  Some basements may not be completely below ground and can include full-sized windows and even a door, but even these basements can often seem dark by virtue of being beneath the house. 

The best way to take advantage of lighting without installing or plugging in a light every few feet is to pay attention to colors and fabrics.  Remember that dark colors and dense patterns absorb more light than lighter colors and simple patterns.  Fans of earth tones can avoid removing all of the light from the room by using these cool hues in moderation, perhaps as small accent pieces, such as throw pillows.  Basement ideas, while requiring a different approach than used while redecorating rooms that often are bathed in sunlight throughout the day, do not have to mean throwing out personal style and preference.  Patterns require the same attention.  Larger pieces of furniture, walls and carpeting will absorb less light if they are simple and light.  Neutral tones often work well as they allow for a variety of accent pieces. 

Basement ideas for decorating can come from a number of sources.  Of course, many will want to incorporate personal flare into the room.  Many basements are used as a recreational area or as a relaxing environment, and should reflect those goals within the décor.  For basements that are used as office space, much of the décor will adhere to the “form follows function” approach, but that does not mean that basement ideas cannot be incorporated from other portions of the house.  In addition to carrying ideas from the main and upper levels of the house into the basement, basement ideas can be formed by anything from visiting a friend’s house to seeing a decorating accent that stands out.  These conversation pieces of the room’s design can lead to remarkably unique and cohesive basement ideas.

When it comes to furniture selection and placement, tall furniture, such as bookcases and media centers ought to be kept away from any windows that might offer the basement some natural light.  Many basements feature slightly lower ceilings than the rooms above, which means tall furniture stretches even closer to the ceiling and can make the basement feel overfilled.  Use of lower and longer furniture can make the ceiling seem higher, and the room more spacious.  Installation of a chair rail along the walls can accomplish a similar impression, especially if the wall is two toned, or, for example, painted on the bottom and wallpapered on the top.

Like all decorating projects, the best basement ideas are built, brick by brick, or in the case of interior design, pillow by pillow.  Careful consideration of color and pattern is as important as furniture placement and comfort, as all three combine to form an entire set of basement ideas that hopefully become a comfortable room that is every much a part of the house as the living room or den.


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