How to Brighten Your Basement Renovation

Whether you are currently considering renovating your basement, or you have recently completed a renovation project, it’s worth thinking about how you can make it brighter.  Basements don’t tend to have access to much natural light – if any – so can feel rather dark and ‘cave like’ if lighting isn’t considered.  In this article, we’ve provided some top tips that will help you prevent this from happening.

Utilize Natural Light Where Possible

If you don’t have any access to natural light in your basement, this option is pretty much moot, however if you do, it’s well worth making advantage of it.  If your basement is not completely underground, it’s worth speaking to your contractor about the possibility of adding windows in.  This will make a dramatic difference to your space, and stop it feeling dingy in an instant.  For basements that are completely underground, window wells are an option.  These bring in a minimal amount of light, but many still believe this is worth it.

Opt for Warmer Hues

Many people opt to use dark browns and deep grays in their basement renovation, but this can leave the space looking small and dark.  For an easy way to brighten your space, consider using warmer hues like whites, oranges and yellows.  These can trick the mind into thinking you’re in an above ground area, and in a well-lit space.  These colors should be used not only in your paint colors, but in your furnishings and ceilings too. 

Don’t Ignore the Ceiling

Most basements are short spaces, and so many homeowners opt for the bare basics in design in order to avoid losing more space than they need to.  However, it’s unwise to neglect the ceiling entirely.  If you have wood beams, for example, painting these in a lighter color than the walls can help to make the space look taller than it actually is.  Another option is Snap Clip suspended ceiling systems. These are ideal for basements, come in white, and are super easy to install, making them a top choice.

Be Creative with Lighting

Rather than adding a couple of tall lamps to your space, it’s a better idea to be creative with the lighting.  You can add spot lights to the ceiling, add indirect lighting behind soffits, or even add lighting around the corners of paintings.  Regardless of the intent of your basement, the more lighting you can add the better.  And, if you’re not sure you want your space to be bright all the time, dimmer switches are an ideal choice.  A residential lighting specialist could be a great option here as they will be able to recommend what will work best for your space.

Renovating your basement can be an exciting time, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect to put any thought into the process.  Determine what challenges you have ahead of time, and speak to a contractor about the options you have available in order to receive the best results.

Find more about lighting ideas here.