How to Decorate a Basement Apartment

Have you been banished to the dark, murky depths of the basement apartment where there is little hope of ever feeling at home? Fear not, dear basement dweller! Equipped with some creative decorating ideas, you will be able to transform your dank dungeon into the envy of all your above-ground friends!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Creativity
• Tools
• A decorating budget

1. 
   Photo Credit: Gerhard Hollisch

   Find inspiration for your basement decorating. Not all low-ceilinged, windowless cavern-like spaces are horrible. Think of those places that make cavernous seem warm and appealing--whether it’s the cozy, underground burrow of a beloved fairy-tale character or the snug sophistication of your favorite little French bistro.

2. 

   Maximize light. If you have a window, accentuate it in any way possible, whether by framing it with ceiling-to-floor drapes or placing a mirror opposite it to catch and multiply the natural light. Bring in plenty of additional lighting and consider including a sun lamp.

3. 

   Add warmth. Fight off the shivers by choosing light, warm colors for walls, drapes, furniture and so on. Bring in rugs to add warmth and color and to hide ugly basement carpeting. Candles are another great idea for adding amping up both warmth and light.

4. 
   Photo Credit: Kevin Connors

   Choose sleek furniture. Using overstuffed furniture to decorate a basement can make you feel like you’re back in your parents’ basement playing video games. Sleek furniture (whether modern or antique) will look sharper and more sophisticated.

5. 
   Photo Credit: Sonny Leon

   Bring in nature. Incorporating elements of nature such as houseplants that can survive in shade is a great idea because it infuses life into a seemingly lifeless basement. Plus, plants offer the added benefit of keeping air fresh--a boon in an otherwise musty environment.

6. 

   Work with what you’ve got. Create a space that accepts itself and takes advantage of architectural idiosyncrasies. Got a low ceiling? Consider painting ceiling tiles or draping fabric. Faced with brick walls? Hang some paintings or photographs for an artsy, gallery feel. Pipes exposed? Consider going for a modern, industrial look.

7. 
   Photo Credit: Neil Gould

   Think outside the box. By placing tall, floor-to-ceiling bookcases in a basement, you will actually make the ceiling look higher. Consider a low-hanging chandelier over a dining or side table. String lights behind curtains or ceiling drapes to create soft, filtered light.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a window, open it as much as possible! Let in that fresh air!
• Avoid dark, gloomy colors.
• Avoid the kind of clutter that we negatively associate with a basement—the place for storing our junk.
• Avoid fluorescent lights.
• If you place lights near or behind cloth make sure they do not get hot as this will be a fire hazard.

[NiteKayaker]

on 2/28/2008 Oh -
I do want to add that the florescent lighting we used was a "daylight" kind of bulb from Home Depot that were inside special decorative frames recessed into the framework of a hanging tile ceiling we had someone install, so the result was more cheerful and natural lighting than you might find with the old-fashioned florescent lighting fixtures often used in basements.

[NiteKayaker]

on 2/28/2008 Hello -
It was nice to read this E-how message... I had let my 16-yr-old daughter decorate and live in a huge basement room in our old house. As it turns out, according to Zenobia2000's decorating advice, she had maximized it the best way she could at the time...she had used similar techniques, cheerful light blue walls, even florescent lighting... and I am sure if I re-do the basement in my current condo, I will keep this same advice in mind.