Today, it has become a trend to having living space in the basement. In the old days basements were used for storage or as root cellars, but families expand, and as people find they need more space, the basement becomes a viable option for living. The problem is, even with finishing the room, it can still feel dark and drafty. Walls are mostly underground, windows are often tiny and opaque, and concrete is underfoot. This means warming the space can be a challenge. It is possible, though, and you can have an addition to your home for a fraction of the cost it would be to add on. All it takes is upgrading the flooring, lighting, and temperature controls. All of these can be affordable if you make the right choices. Modular carpet tiles or carpet panels are more affordable than wall-to-wall installation. A great way to add warmth to a home without costing a fortune is home accessories.
The important thing to understand about basement spaces is their cold atmosphere, so make sure you keep the focus on adding warmth. If possible, add a heating element to the space. If you have an existing chimney or fireplace, you may be able to install one in the basement. You can also consider alternative like wood burning stoves and pellet stoves. Even without a chimney, installation may be possible. A source of warmth and the warm glow of a fire may be the best investment you make in your basement living space.
Once you have determined how you will keep the space heated, consider insulation. You will want to choose flooring with a thick pile and heavy padding. Options like hardwood or bamboo may look nice, but will do nothing to add warmth to the space. Your goal is to add warmth, so leave the hardwood and alternatives in other rooms of the house.
Your color palette should be warm. Paint is best in shades of red, orange, or brown. The challenge is keeping those shades light enough because there may be a lack of light. However, you should not choose colors that are cool like light blues or greens. If the space is large and well it, colors such as forest green may be good. Shades of yellow is great when balanced with warm flooring and furniture colors. Warm beige makes a great neutral and you can highlight with deeper furniture colors like burgandy or burnt sienna. You can add more warmth with curtains, pillows, and textiles. This is an inexpensive way to accent with warm colors without saturating the space in a dark color.
Downstairs living can be some of the coziest in a home. Take your time planning your basement design and you will have a room your whole family will love for a very long time.
Connor R. Sullivan remodeled his basement into a game room with modular carpet tile squares on the floor. His wife used carpet panels to cover the floor in her son’s apartment. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
