For many homeowners, the basement ends up as a forgotten part of the home. Too often, these spaces become a catch-all for storage, resulting in a cluttered and uncomfortable room. If you have a basement that is in dire need of attention, it’s time to start planning a renovation. Your basement doesn’t have to be a damp or dingy dungeon. You can renovate it to be an elegant, comfortable abode with a touch of class and style. Here are four ways to give your basement an elegant renovation.
Add More Lighting
The first step in making over a dark or dingy basement is to bring in some lighting. Whether you’re switching out old light bulbs or you’re adding creative new lighting fixtures, this will bring a warm flood of light that will make the space more inviting. If you’re gearing up for an in-depth renovation, consider electrical installations like track lighting and similar options. If you want to DIY your renovation, consider using battery-powered lighting, which is just as effective. When choosing your lighting options, be sure to see if you have sunken basement windows that let in partial light or no openings at all. Use light colored paint on the walls to reflect the light better and make sure to cover your corners.
Photo by Manomin Resawn Timbers
Redo the Flooring
New flooring is another essential step when making over your basement. Replacing the worn-down flooring in your basement will help transform the entire room. Great options include tile, carpeting, epoxy flooring, and similar styles, all of which are budget-friendly and easily installed.
As you make plans to bring in new flooring, consider adding area rugs. Putting down rugs will automatically elevate your basement and will be a welcome addition to your flooring style of choice. Be sure to look into waterproofing options to keep the area healthy and safe.
Cover Your Walls
Another way to spruce up your basement is to give your walls a facelift. If your basement has exposed frame, it likely looks unwelcoming and unfinished. Be sure to cover the walls during your renovation to make your basement look like an elegant extension of the rest of your home.
Consider installing drywall to cover any exposed frame. If you already have drywall in your basement, there’s nothing that a new coat of paint can’t fix. Think about how to match your colors to your décor and use the paint to widen up and lighten up empty spaces.
Install More Storage Space
Basements are often used to store boxes, paperwork, and bags of forgotten keepsakes and documents. While this may be an effective way to keep these items out of the rest of the home, it no doubt makes your basement look cluttered. Your remodel doesn’t have to change using your basement for storage; it can improve it.
Innovative storage solutions can elevate your basement while effectively storing all your clutter. Installing storage solutions like filing systems, sliding storage shelves, wire fencing, and similar setups will do wonders for your basement.
Don’t let your basement continue to go untouched. Use these ideas to breathe some new life into this part of your home.
Author Bio
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan