Refinishing your basement can add livable square footage to your home, make it more attractive to buyers and provide a perfect place for entertaining guests.
Here are some design tips to help get your project going:
Basements are typically dark and gloomy places, but there are easy ways to brighten it up!
You can paint the walls with pale colors and add mirrors to encourage light reflection for a more open and airy feel. Incorporating exterior sliding doors or glass windows also allow for more natural light. And make sure you clear out obstacles that may be blocking light. Place furniture against walls, not in the middle of the room.
Introduce Light FixturesIf you aren’t able to bring in natural light, consider adding artificial ambient, accent or task lighting. Install bright pendants, track lighting, chandeliers, or even neon signs.
Even with small emergency windows, you can add in some personality! Consider building deep sills, add a dark wood trim, and replacing old latch closures with gold or matte finishes. You can also dig down to create larger windows that allow more natural light in.
You can create a cozy basement space with wall-to-wall carpeting, a contemporary look with ceramic tiles or combine multiple floor types to make a statement while creating designated zones. If your basement is extremely dark, choose lighter-colored flooring that will reflect light well to make the space seem bigger and brighter.
Divide the SpaceIf your basement needs to serve different purposes (storage, entertainment etc.), you can add separation to spaces with arches and bookcases. Arches can be installed between existing doorways or to support columns, while bookcases allow you to create the feeling of extra rooms without the expense of building new walls.
Walls are the perfect opportunity to flex your creativity! Charcoal stones, brick or tile are great options if you want to experiment with texture. You can also try textured wall painting techniques such as sponging, rag painting, or lime wash walls to add some flare. However, if you’re not ready to take the plunge with a drastic wall change, you can pair a neutral wall color with colorful crown molding.
Customize Your StaircaseYour stairs set the tone for your basement. Make a good impression with a floating staircase, light-up stairs or glass side panels. There’s also patterned carpet, decorative tiles or a unique stair railing.You can even utilize the space under your basement stairs for storage or a cozy reading nook.
And last but not least, make sure your basement has ample storage space. Try recessed shelves, floating shelves or extra closet space. If built-in storage isn’t an option, create a designated area for organized storage bins, or use wall hooks for hanging larger items.
If you’re looking to introduce any of these basement design tips, Irish Jones Construction can help! To get your free quote, call us at (716) 768-4915. A real person will get back to you and schedule a home visit for an accurate quote that addresses all of your unique needs.
