How to Redo a Basement Retro
When decorating a basement space, many people seek to create a den that's perfect for relaxation and social gatherings. One way to establish such a party atmosphere is to look to the past when decorating and select a retro decor. Whether your heart is trapped in the psychedelic 60s or you can't get the 70s out of your head, decorating your basement to match your retro passion will make the space engaging and reflective of your interests and personality. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose a function for the space. Consider what you will likely want to use your space for to ensure that you set the space up for that purpose. If you want to use it for entertaining, you want to plan ample seating space. Similarly, if you want it to be a family playroom, leaving open floor space is a wise choice. Don’t allow your eagerness to reflect eras of the past lead you to neglect the space’s socialization and activities functions.
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Select a decade to reflect. Consider any existing furnishing pieces you have when selecting this decade. For example, if you have a set of 70s-style sofas at your disposal, choosing that decade could prove cost-saving. Similarly, if you have a 50s-inspired diner set, reflecting this decade may be the best option, as it allows you to use these existing pieces.
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Review images from the era. Visit your library and look up books on the era in question, reminding yourself of what interior decorating fads were in vogue during that generation. As you flip through these images, take notes of what you find, using these notes to guide your decorating plans.
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Choose several colors that appear in the images. Seek hues that complement each other, or create contrast, such as pink and black for a 50s sock-hop decor or teal and white for a 60s-inspired revamp. After selecting your hues, visit your hardware store and gather paint samples in those hues. Purchase paints in these colors to cover your walls -- and potentially even your floor if it is unfinished.
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Add accent pieces pulled from the era you've chosen. Visit thrift stores for authentic pieces from the era you are trying to reflect, and use them heavily in your design. If you can’t find any pieces from the era affordably, buy recreations to save cash on your basement remodel.
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References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
