It’s no secret that a lighter coat of paint can open a basement right up, but is that your only option? Here at Wilson’s Paint and Floor Coverings, we have a few more tricks up our sleeves when it comes to making your basement seem bigger.

Avoid Clutter

Whew! A solution that doesn’t involve a remodel. Clutter will make any space–especially a basement–feel smaller and more cramped. Organization is key to helping you make the most of your basement space. If things feel out of hand, it may be time to add cabinets or shelving, or even seating that doubles as storage space.

Whatever you do, do not block the windows, inside or out. If you are fortunate enough to have windows in the basement, use them to their best advantage. Do not obscure them with furniture or with plants, and leave off using heavy curtains. Blinds or shades are less dense solutions for privacy. Keeping your windows clean will also allow in more natural light.

Light Flooring

If you want to make your basement seem bigger, you don’t want your gaze to be drawn to the floor. Having flooring (be it carpet, tile, or wood) in lighter tones will make sure that the attention in the room is not focused downward. Lighter tones will also help create the illusion of openness, and so will using only one type of flooring. This may not be an option if you have sinks or washer/dryer units in the basement, but consistency in flooring materials will create clean lines.

Light Furniture

Light furniture is an effective tool to make your basement seem bigger. Try tables in more neutral woods or even glass. Couches and chairs in subtle tones tend to be unobtrusive. If you have dark furniture and replacing them is not in the budget, you can soften their effect by adding pillows and draping throw blankets of light hues. When it comes to furniture, less is more. The need to navigate entertainment centers and dressers will make any room feel closed off.

Add Mirrors

Unless you are Batman, your basement has light coming in, whether it is artificial from lighting fixtures or natural from windows and doors. Adding mirrors can make your basement seem bigger by reflecting that light. Try adding a large statement mirror and smaller accent mirrors on opposite walls or even a wall of mirrors, especially if your basement serves as your home gym.  

Layer the Lights

If even a mirror isn’t enough to supplement the kind of lighting you’re looking for, then by all means add more! Stagger your sources of light to avoid interrogation room-esque lighting. Try can lights in the ceiling or maybe a chandelier. Short lamps work well on end tables, tall lamps in corners. Even string lights or fairy lights are not just for outdoor patios. Run a length of lights where the walls meet the ceiling or suspend them across the room for a contemporary feel.

Glass Doors

If your basement has direct access outside, glass doors are an aesthetically pleasing way to let in more natural light. Perhaps more importantly, glass doors create the illusion that the basement extends into your backyard or wherever your doors look out on. Nothing makes your basement seem bigger than adding an extra quarter acre. Again, shades can limit that illusion if it gets to feel too open, especially at night. If you’d like more light but your doors look out on something you’d rather not add to your basement (like the street), consider less opaque shades or even more opaque glass.

Use Metal Accents 

This is a less obvious trick to make your basement seem bigger, but it is true that metal accents reflect more light. Consider door knobs, lamps, and even decor in metals that are highly reflective. If you already have metal accents, this may not mean changing them but merely polishing the accents you have. Grease and grime can build up on surfaces that are used more often, like doorknobs. Check how best to clean the metal accents in your home.

If you need a hand getting started on making your basement seem bigger, we at Wilson’s Paint and Floor Coverings are here to help. Don’t stress! Our consummate professionals have the answers to your questions about making your basement seem bigger, with paint or without.

Maybe it’s a family room, a place to play games or be the cool hangout spot for your kids and their friends; maybe it’s a dedicated storage space for extra food or those boxes you’ll unpack someday; or maybe it’s a separate apartment, a place for tenants to hang their hats. Whatever function your basement serves, it can be a challenge to make your below-ground haven more inspiring than spooky. Here at Wilson’s Paint and Floor Coverings, we get it, but we also know a trick or two for using paint to brighten your basement.

Use Light Colors 

We know, this one is a bit of a no-brainer, but we’re not just talking about hue here. When choosing your paint, it is important to consider the Light Reflective Value (LRV). Light reflective values fall on a scale from 0 to 100, and the numbers indicate how much light is reflected back, black being 0 and white scoring a perfect 100. Choosing paints with high LRV values will help to brighten your basement by reflecting the light already present.

Not sure which color scheme to use? Here are a few of our favorites for basements: 

Lots of bright white or ivory

Sky blue

Soft gray or a cozy greige

Warm yellows

Natural greens

Lavender

Creams and browns

Navy paired with lighter woods and accents

Limit the Number of Colors

Though it can be tempting to think that adding a lot of color will help a basement feel more inviting, resist the urge. The more colors you add, the more likely a basement is to feel cluttered and, by extension, smaller. We recommend sticking to a color scheme with three colors max, with one of those colors comprising 60% of the color in the room, the others used as accents.

This tip applies to patterns as well. We love eccentric pillows or a boldly textured or patterned accent wall, but remember that visual chaos has a habit of shrinking a room. Picking your favorite pattern and using it sparingly can brighten your basement without filling it to the brim.

Try Some Crisp Contrasts

Clean lines have a way of opening up a room and highlighting focal points. If your furniture is in neutral colors, consider some fun carpet, especially if your basement doubles as a playroom for kids. For a more chic look, let us return your attention to the accent wall. We love a good pop of color–or black–to add variety without clutter. Try painting a wall or even the ceiling in a vibrant or calming hue, but remember that the ceiling is a daring choice. It is an easy one to get wrong, as a dark paint job can make a ceiling feel lower and a room feel cramped. Use only if you’re ready to embrace a challenge. 

Give Accents a Facelift

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a new paint scheme–maybe you just found one you really love–a fresh coat of paint on the doors and trim is a more subtle way to add contrast. Erase the little nicks and dents that occur as if by magic and give your doors and trim a fresh coat of white paint. We’ll say it again: clean lines are the ticket to brighten your basement.

For something a little bolder, paint window trims or even door frames in black. Do this only if it fits your color scheme–maybe you’ve got a lot of white going on already. You may also consider painting wood paneling, brickwork, or cabinetry if any of these are natural features in your basement. 

Add a Glossy Finish to the Ceiling 

Whether it is in a stark white, a cozy taupe, or a vivid black, your ceiling doesn’t have to be where the buck stops. Remember that making the most of the light you already have is a key way to brighten your basement. Using a glassy finish on your ceiling can help to reflect the light back down into the room.

If you think it may be time to brighten your basement with a new paint job, we at Wilson’s Paint and Floor Coverings are here to help. We can assist in everything from choosing the right paint to providing the actual painting service. Let us know how we can help you today!