Every home has a story, and they are as vast and varied as the world is wide. But they all start with inspiration, and inspiration starts with our surroundings. That’s what home is. Family. Friends. A sense of place. An amazing view. It is all part of what makes a space a home because your home is where you truly live. As homeowners ourselves we understand that your best life begins with a home that inspires you.
(This page includes affiliate links – our full disclosure statement is available {here}
“I might be in the basement. Ill go upstairs and check.”
— MC Escher
‘I love my basement,” said no one—ever. It’s not as if most of us trot down to our home’s underbelly to hang out and gaze at the fabulous view of the washing machine.
But if you’re avoiding that space, it’s a smart idea to improve your basement with a few small, inexpensive upgrades.
The reason? A scary basement can be a turn-off to guests, so if you hope to switch it up for a friendlier space in your home, you should spruce it up.
That said, Jeanine Boiko, a real estate agent in New York, says she “doesn’t recommend clients put out a lot of money prior to selling.”
Renovate your basement to your own tastes. Be judicious with your décor tweaks, and try to use pieces you already have.
If you’re the DIY type, all the better, since you’ll lay out a lot less money. Check out these simple, fast basement fixes.
1. Make your basement a worthy destination
If there’s nothing to greet you in the basement save for some old paint cans and a dozen boxes of Christmas decorations, this space won’t be too appealing. But if you amp up the fun, it’ll become a destination worth visiting.
Billie Marie Tharaldson of Julian design recommends a lower-level remodel, if you can swing it, to create extra space in the basement that could be used for entertaining.
“Make this spot a fun place to be, with cozy furnishings and finishes,” she says.
While you might not have a full-size pool table hanging around, another table set up for cards or art projects can help provide a similar vibe. Lay an all-weather rug underneath and add a few chairs that aren’t in use elsewhere for a quick game room.
2. Fix your basement lighting
Most basements read dank and dark, so improving the light you have can go a long way toward making this space usable.
“Basements usually lack architecture and good lighting compared to the rest of the home, so pay attention to these details,” says Tharaldson.
An electrician will charge hundreds to install high hats or recessed lights, so you might want to bring in more standing and table lamps from other rooms to brighten this area.
3. Stage a home office
Since working from home is the new normal, rehabbing your basement to include an office nook is right on the money.
“Try a thrift or secondhand store for a simple desk, and then roll in a chair and other accessories from different parts of the house,” says Boiko.
Add a bookcase to the opposite wall for office supplies and storage—or install a set of plain shelves for the same purpose.
4. Try a statement wall
You might not telegraph your fave team sport in the dining room, but displaying it in the basement is a safe enough decor choice. The bottom line: Always include a hint of flair in this lower-level space, lest it feel cold and uninviting, says Anna Brockway, co-founder and president of Chairish.
“Art or wallpaper can do wonders for making this room feel as special and useful as other parts of the house,” she says.
To limit your outlay, apply removable, peel-and-stick wallpaper and cover just a single accent wall.
5. Hang a gallery
Fill up a boring wall with pictures you’ve stashed in the attic, or download free art options and frame them affordably.
“Go big! Find something that inspires you and lifts your spirits when you look at it,” says Brockway.
Amazon carries a range of exclusive gallery wall sets too, or you could repurpose your kids’ artwork for this décor job.
6. Screen it off
The truth is, most of us have a basement filled with hulking appliances and other immovable gear, like the boiler and hot water heater.
So rather than try to create a room in the middle of this mess, and pretend it isn’t there, pick up a screen or two to hide these unsightly pieces.
Two simple room dividers made with rice-paper panels will run you just under $200 (Home Depot), but the investment is worth it, if you’ll reuse them in another space in your new home.
Line them up next to each other to double the “wall” and hide your basement mechanicals. In front, you might set up a small settee and area rug, or put out your dog’s bed, along with a basket of his toys.