A bright, well-lit basement can add value to your home and make it more appealing. Brightening up your basement can improve the look and feel of the space, making it a more enjoyable and functional area of your home. Moreover, A brighter basement can have a positive impact on your mood and well-being. The increased natural light can help boost your energy levels and improve your outlook. Here are some ways to make it happen-
Make use of the natural luminance-
I know you are reading this blog because you do not have natural lighting, but if you have a few extra dollars to spare from your piggy bank, here are a few ideas that you can work on-
- Adding glass sliding doors if your basement is in the ground level
- Adding egress windows to the east and west to make sure that we capture the maximum amount of light
- Cutting out the extra bushes or trees that block the natural light can be a lifesaver! (or a light saver)
Redo the dark walls-
The first and foremost thing to thing to do in order to brighten up your basement is to paint your walls white! White is a color that absorbs only 10-20% of the light from the source and reflects the maximum. So white is an obvious choice but let’s add a few bright colorsthen and there to make the space lively.
If you do not want to get your hands messy, you can go for wallpapers that are either plain white or with small patterns on them. By simply painting the room lighter, you can not only brighten up your basement but transform the entire area.
Flooring-
There are lot of options to choose from when it comes to flooring- Concrete, Carpet, Vinyl, Engineered hardwoord, Ceramic tiles, etc. But did you know that the best-suited floor for basements is Vinyl? They are durable and waterproof. They come in a huge variety of options to choose from. But choosing a light-colored shiny surface would be a clever choice as it would reflect the light from the ceilings.
Epoxy flooring is also gaining a lot of popularity these days as it helps with leakage and mold issues and they are glossier than other materials. So, when it comes to choosing the material for flooring, durability, warmth and moisture resistance should be the priority.
Brighten up with Mirrors-
Adding long and wide mirrors to the room creates an illusion of a larger space. They reflect light and brighten up a dark basement apartment, especially if there is limited natural light available. Mirrors can be used as decoration also to replace basic cabinet walls, wall decor and on top of the windows to create the illusion of space. It is a great way to improve the look and feel of a basement apartment and make it a more livable and enjoyable space.
It can be employed as both a practical and ornamental element, increasing the light’s bounce rate. Mirrors are additionally said to multiply energy in some cultures. So, win-win?
Window treatments-
There are a whole lot of options when it comes to window treatments to brighten up a basement. But first, it is important to know what is the actual requirement.To use the window as a decorative element or to use the window for its actual functionality. If it’s the latter, you can use sheer curtains to let the light in instead of using thick drapery that will cut out the light. Angled windows let more light to pass through than the regular box-shaped window frame.
Pro Tip: Hanging longer curtains in the absence of windows can help create an illusion of tall windows.
Bright Decorative accents-
Throw pillows, area rugs, wall art, installations, indoor plants, and elegant light fixtures may all add splashes of vibrant colour to your space. Check out these cool motion sensor lights that you could add to your wardrobe, kitchen cabinents and what not!
Remember the key to brightening up a basement room is to create a sense of openness and lightness, so choose accessories and décor that will help you create a cohesive look.