Making your basement an enjoyable place to spend time can be tricky. Without the right lighting, it may feel too much like a dungeon. Here are a few quick tips.
Maximize the natural lighting. Trim back shrubs and other plants that block sunlight from window wells. If the window well has a cover, keep it clean or replace a cover that blocks light with one that lets light pass through.
Choose light colors for walls, carpet, and furniture. As much as we all miss the dark brown faux wood paneling from the ‘70s, it doesn’t do much to create a bright space.
Consider accent lighting. This will not only make the space brighter, it will also feel less like a basement because lamps make space feel decorated and lived in.
Choose the correct light bulbs. Depending on the types of fixtures in the basement there are various new types of light bulbs. Consider talking to a lighting expert to find which type of bulb is going to give you the best results.
Create a false-lighted window. This is simpler and more effective than you might think. Just frame and trim a “window” on a basement wall, and use creative lighting and décor like blinds, reflective paint, and daylight spectrum bulbs, to make the light coming from the window look natural.
