Sunday, 22 November 2009

Basement Design Ideas For First-Time Homeowners

By Casey Torren

Basement design ideas are nothing if they are not implemented. Today, almost any creative idea is possible and your basement need not look like the old, damp room that is usually depicted in movies. But even 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.

There are a number of problems basements generally have. First of all, 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.

First of all, making the room brighter and lighter will create a huge impact on your basements overall appearance. 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.

Fluorescent lighting fixtures will tend to make your basement dimmer and smaller so you might want to avoid these kinds of fixtures. 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).

Another common problem with basements is little space. 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.

Then, of course, there is the issue of starkness in basements. Warm up the place by adding homely accessories such as vases, indoor 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.

Basement design ideas are so varied. If you find it difficult to put them all together to recreate your basement, make the design process easier by thinking of a theme first. Once you have a specific theme to use on your remodeling project, you may start working around it.

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1 comment:

  1. How to use that little space called basement is a job and I am sure your ideas are going to be helpful.Another problem with basement is it is prone to damp and moisture...so it is essential to keep it dry.

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