How to Turn a Dark Basement into the Perfect Finished Room

Achieve a Light and Bright Basement Remodel

Just because a basement is located underground doesn’t mean it has to feel dark. Finished basements are as much a part of your home as any other space. They need to feel that way.

A basement remodel brings many benefits to your home, but the best finished basements are the ones that feel bright and open. And all too often, basements are overlooked or undervalued. As a professional interior remodeling contractor, we have completed our share of basement remodels, and we know not only the value a finished basement can bring but also the enjoyment it can bring to your home’s space.

Here are our tips for brightening and enhancing your dark basement.

Play with bright colors

One of the best ways to brighten a space while also adding style to your basement is through your color selections. Your basement doesn’t have to feel dark and cramped. Choosing lively and airy colors for your wall paint, flooring, cabinetry, and furniture will make the room feel bigger and brighter.

Light wood planks, carpets, or tiles will work to brighten a home from the ground up. Light-colored walls make a space feel even larger. And furniture in brighter hues helps to keep the flow and look of the room open.

Install lighting

Installing the right lighting will make one of the greatest impacts in brightening your basement. Some basements may not have great access to the outside world, and light fixtures may be the main light source. Recessed canned lighting successfully illuminates a room and can be installed in great numbers without adding obstructing fixtures to an already tight space.

Track lighting is another common basement lighting option that is great at illuminating a large space without taking up too much valuable real estate.

Add windows (if possible)

Obviously, adding windows to a basement will allow for natural light, but the trick is being able to add windows into the sides of these underground spaces.

You might be surprised to find out that there are many windows options available for basements.

• Hopper window— a small window that attaches to the wall at the bottom and opens inward.
• Awning window— a small window that hinges at the top of the window frame and opens outwards.
• Sliding window— an easy to open window that simply slides side to side or up and down.
• Glass block window— thick, translucent (but not fully see-through) blocks of glass that are set into a window. They allow light in while maintaining privacy.

Installing any of these options where you can will provide a level of the warm, natural lighting that makes a space inviting. Just ensure you have a professional for the window installation, as obtaining a permit will be a necessity to ensure your windows meet code and are safe for your home.

Create an open concept layout

Excessive walls lead to dark areas. And in a basement, where lighting is often more difficult to come by, shadows and obstructed light flow need to be avoided. The right floor plan can help prevent these pitfalls.

An open concept floor plan allows all light sources to illuminate the space. It also creates a more functional entertainment space.

Play with the use of mirrors

Playing with illusion will work to your advantage when it comes to basement lighting. Reflective surfaces often give off additional light and help play off of the existing light in the space. Mirrors are a great way to achieve this.

They can be used in the remodeling process or can be added into your room décor. Talk with your designer to see how mirrors might be incorporated into your space cohesively.

Avoid clutter

A major faux pas homeowners make is to store clutter in their basements to get it out of eyesight. Clutter makes a room feel cramped and typically darker, so ensure everything in a basement has its place. To avoid clutter, design storage closets into your basement remodel where you can house décor, seasonal items, and other miscellaneous items.

Hire a professional

Contractors that specialize in large scale home renovations, particularly basement renovations, have seen it all. They have already been through the process of taking a dark and closed off space and turning it into a bright and airy room that complements the rest of your home.

Find a design-conscious contractor who can create an elevated basement design but who also knows the most effective ways to brighten your basement space.

Companies that retain in-house design teams, like our team at Lakeside Renovations and Design, are the best at achieving both of these goals.

Learn more about how our design-build team can help you achieve the renovation of your dreams.

Your Basement Can Be as Inviting as the Rest of Your Home

With these tips to guide your basement renovation, you can have a beautiful and inviting space. Our Lakeside Renovation and Design team would love to answer any questions you may have. Learn more about how to begin a successful remodel.

Discover how our combination of an in-house design team and construction crew can transform your dark basement. See our basement renovations services.