Basement Lighting Ideas

Posted by cynthia on Jul 26, 2011 in Basement Design, Basement Finishing, Basement Finishing Contractors, Basement Lighting, Basement Renovations, Egress Windows, Finished Basement Ideas |

By Marion Reed

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.

You can bring additional daylight into the basement, by installing SunHouse basement window wells on existing basement windows. They have a reflective coating that will bounce light back into the basement. A clear cover keeps the well free of leaves and debris.

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.

For help with planning your basement lighting and maximizing the use of daylight in your basement contact a dealer in your area for a Free Design Consultation!

Basement Finishing Systems

Posted by cynthia on Jul 25, 2011 in Basement Carpet, Basement Finishing, Basement Finishing Contractors, Basement Floor Tiles, Basement Framing and Insulation, Basement Insulation, Basement Lighting, Basement Renovations, Basement Subfloor, Basement Windows, Finished Basement Ideas, Finishing Basement Floors, Finishing Basement Walls, Green Basement Finishing, Uncategorized, Waterproof Basement Flooring, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

By Elizabeth Gormley

In many homes, the basement is a cold, dark storage space with concrete floors that’s more than a little bit spooky.  But with today’s basement finishing systems, it’s possible to transform this scary area into a warm and welcoming place as bright as any room upstairs.  Basement finishing works like adding another livable level to your home—in as little as two weeks.  Think romper room, a buffered place for the kids to play, with lots of space for toys, games and musical instruments.  Or think game room, with a pool table, ping-pong, darts, and maybe a bar.  In a few easy steps, a finished basement will add massive value to your home.

Basement Lighting – No limitations, only possibilities.

Posted by cynthia on Apr 13, 2011 in Basement Design, Basement Finishing, Basement Finishing Contractors, Basement Lighting, Finished Basement Ideas, Green Basement Finishing, Home Improvement, Uncategorized |

Basement Home Theater

One of the most challenging and often overlooked areas in basement design is lighting.

To compensate for the usual lack of natural day light, most people resort to bright overhead lights that will spread light evenly throughout the room, to prevent it from looking like a dungeon.

While that approach might make sense for a basement gym, a play-room or a workshop, there are many other ways to use light to create fabulous basement rooms for every purpose.

In that sense, the lack of natural day light should not be seen as a limitation, but as an asset, as it opens the doors to a myriad of possibilities to create the perfect atmosphere for your basement room.

Keep in mind that basement lighting requires wiring and, because ceilings are typically low, enclosed fixtures work better than hanging ones. This is why decisions about lighting should be done quite early in the project.

There are two other ways, besides the typical bright overhead lighting, to distribute artificial lights in a basement room. And since in the typical basement there is little to no interference from day light, the result is usually more even and well controlled.

Top Six Mistakes People Make in Basement Remodeling Projects

Posted by cynthia on Jun 23, 2010 in Basement Carpet, Basement Finishing, Basement Framing and Insulation, Basement Insulation, Basement Lighting, Basement Subfloor, Finishing Basement Floors, Finishing Basement Walls, Waterproof Basement Flooring, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

The wrong finishing choice can have disastrous consequences.

Almost everyone who owns a house with an unfinished basement, dreams of having it finished. How can you not think of it? After all, an unfinished basement is a whole floor’s worth of space that can be easily turned into any type of room your family needs.

However, basement finishing projects are hardly inexpensive and, because basements are like no other room in the house, there are special challenges when it comes to choosing the best finishes and configuration. Basements usually house utilities, plumbing, wiring. They are also quite prone to moisture and water accidents. All of which must be taken into consideration before you tackle your project. Making the wrong choices, can literally spell disaster.

Designing Your Basement Home Gym: Step by Step Guide

Posted by cynthia on Dec 18, 2009 in Basement Carpet, Basement Finishing, Basement Floor Tiles, Basement Lighting, Energy Efficient Basements, Finished Basement Ideas, Finishing Basement Floors, Finishing Basement Walls, Green Basement Finishing, Home Gym, Home Improvement, Waterproof Basement Flooring, Waterproof Basement Wall Panels |

Have you been skipping your daily exercise routines for lack of time or motivation to go to the gym? Are you tired of paying membership fees only to find out that you have to wait in line for a chance to use your favorite workout equipment?

Maybe you are just someone who would love to get serious about your health but doesn’t feel comfortable in a gym environment.

Did you ever think of building your own personal gym ?

If you have an unfinished basement, you can turn it into your dream home gym in a matter of days and, depending on your choices of equipment, quite affordably too.