With new and fresh basement design ideas, you do not have to content yourself with old, damp and empty basements. Remodeling basements add value to your home. So how do we go about this? Where do we start? If you are a beginner at basement remodeling, there is no need to worry. Basic design ideas are abundant when it comes to revamping the basement. Read on through this article to find out more.
Generally, basements have common problems. One of these is that most basements have very low ceilings. A low ceiling can give a space that claustrophobic feeling. The good news is, there are many ways to combat this basement design problem. When thinking of basement design ideas to combat low ceilings, focus on ways to create illusions of height as well as maximize the space in general.
By making the room brighter and lighter, you will create a huge impact on the overall appearance of your basement. Employ light colors on ceilings and walls as well as floor and table lamps to further illuminate the space. Wall sconces can create a huge impact if you utilize them the right way. They have to be installed high enough so that their light will reach the ceiling and open space. All sconces are a great choice in a sense that they illuminate towards an upward direction. If you put them too low, they could be glaring. Thus, they have to be installed above eye level.
As much as possible, avoid fluorescent lighting fixtures. These will make your basement seem dimmer and smaller. Ceiling lights generally draw the eye to the ceiling and therefore emphasize even more on how the ceiling appears to be caving in. So try alternative lighting fixtures as mentioned earlier (floor lamps, table lamps, sconces).
Most basements have small spaces. This is another common problem among homes with basements. While some homes are fortunate to have larger basements, most have quite small ones. The small size of the basement often makes homeowners think the basement can only be used for storage. This is not true, as the possibilities are many.
If you have a fairly small basement, arrange your furniture pieces in corners of the room, leaving the center clear. This can make the room more spacious and airy. Mirrors are also great for making small rooms appear larger.
Another problem in most basements is the starkness. Basements are often seen as cold parts of the house that have no use. Warm up the place by adding homely accessories such as vases, fake plants, paintings, candlesticks and a fishbowl. You could use some popular basement design ideas and create a theme that is warm and inviting. For instance, you could choose some Rustic style furniture of wood and have a fireplace as your basement heat source. Place area rugs to further warm up the place.
Because there are just so many basement design ideas out there, it can really take time to put them all together to remodel your basement. To make the design process much easier for you, think of a theme first. Once you have a specific theme to use on your remodeling project, you may start working around it.