What comes to mind when you hear the word “basement?” Dark? Damp? Low lighting? A strange, musty spell? Storage? Or, maybe it’s all of those combined. But your basement can be your friend! In this blog, we’re going to give you some ideas that will help you remodel your basement and make it inviting, and ultimately, a great place to spend your time.

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Use White… Creatively

Basements can be dark, thanks to limited sunlight, low ceilings and few opportunities to place windows. So, it’s natural to want to brighten up the space. A good dose of white paint can do the trick. White must equal bright, right (rhymes intended)? Well, not always. We still advise you to use white, but we recommend testing a variety of white colors to see which one will work best for your basement. Additionally, white doesn’t have to be a paint. Bring dimension to the room with a fun, textured wallpaper or a pattern. The shapes and textures can help light to bounce and reflect off the walls, making your space feel even brighter.

Make it a Rec Room

This is without a doubt one of the more enjoyable projects you’ll take on in your home. Adding a rec room can serve as an ideal spot for your movie nights, entertaining guests with games like foosball, a weekly poker game, or just hanging out to relax. Your rec room will be a comfy, functional, and FUN space in your house. Even if the rest of your home is modern, with clean lines and neutral colors, the basement rec space is your opportunity to play with color and textures, add fun elements that speak to your personality or even let the kids get involved with a piece of artwork or two.

Switch Out the Ceiling

How many times have you walked into a basement and seen unsightly beams or unattractive tiles? Probably too many times to count. With your basement remodel, it’s time to change that. Consider installing ceiling tiles that have some architectural detail to them. This will give your basement a more refined look and add plenty of interest to the room. A monochromatic paint scheme, including the ceiling, can help to hide unsightly ductwork or pipes. Or, try using pieces of fabric to help hide the things you don’t want to see while bringing more visual interest to the room.

Strategic Lighting

Okay, so we mentioned the lack of natural light in most basements. Don’t panic –This just means you get to be strategic with your lighting choices. Since many basements have lower ceilings, we advise against any hanging pendant lights. But, recessed lighting, wall scones, and floor lamps will work wonders for your room. They will provide enough light without taking up too much vertical space.

There are many directions you can go when remodeling your basement, and that’s why it’s important to have a professional general contractor on your side. Alair Homes Hudson is always here to help. Contact us to discuss your vision during a complimentary, no obligation consultation.