Bright Basement Inspiration
At the rate I’m going, it will be a while before I get to the basement but I do have a general idea of what I want to do with it. Here are some inspiration pictures of what I have in mind.
We’re lucky to have a walk-out basement so there is natural light.
I want to keep it as light and airy as possible like these rooms with a white and neutral palette and plenty of natural elements like wood and sisal.
For those of you who have basements, what do you use it for?
(Photos: 1.House Beautiful 2.via Down & Out Chic 3&4.Skona Hem)
Well I won't state the obvious and say to hide dead bodies… we don't have one they are actually not that common in Australia, but I can see the attraction especially to use as a cosy study or TV room, because I hate main living rooms which are dominated by televisions. xoxo
.-= Jane´s last post ..Wandering about Whiteley =-.
Hi Ally, if I had one I would go for something like your second image and for some contrast i would add a pingpong table (yes, really!). It would be both a stylish and fun room but be prepared. Your male guests will even play wearing their tuxedos! I have seen it first hand!
ox, Mon
I love the mix of the battered wood and the white walls.
.-= Will´s last post ..10 Things I Learned This Weekend =-.
These pictures are stunning and decorated this way, your basement won't look at all as an average one – instead it will end up a stylish space, comfy and with lots of light (my dream room haha). xoxo
.-= Ludmila {creamylife.com}´s last post ..Thank you & happy weekend! =-.
The somewhat colonial look of these rooms works really well, especially with the unexpected touch of pink in the final photo. A basement is so ideal for evoking privacy and personal character. What fun you'll have doing yours.
.-= pretty far west´s last post ..win win win win =-.
The basement is the one room in the house that is solely devoted to my husband. I have to admit he has done a pretty good job making it look like a sports bar, but if I had my way I'd definitely do something light and airy like this!
.-= Geb´s last post ..Friday 82710 =-.
Ooo, those are so lovely. Heck, I'd love to have my living room look like that first picture…I really like that black chest/table.
.-= Indie.tea´s last post ..Pistachio-Crusted Shortbread Saffron-Orange Blossom Ice Cream Appreciating Everything =-.
I really love all of the whites with rustic, I think for a basement this is definitely the way to go! We don't have a basement, and I'm okay with that, knowing the habits of Mr. Deer, it would turn into a scary depository for all sorts of random odds and ends that he "needs"! The man is a pack rat of the worst kind! XX!
.-= shari @ little blue deer´s last post ..Muted Luxury =-.
For the first time since I was a teenager, we will have a basement in our new house. When you have kids, I hear that girls prefer to hang out near their bedrooms, and boys tend to hang out in the basement. We will put the Wii in the basement to ensure that the kids use it on the weekend! We are also going to put an upright piano down there, as all three of my kids take piano lessons and I am starting to have to schedule time on our one piano. We are also going to put my husband's 'project area' down there (he has lots of hobbies). Finally, we will have the guest room in the basement. I think that it will be a much used space!
.-= Things That Inspire´s last post ..My favorite architecture books =-.
I love the pink pillows in the last photo! If I had a basement I would probably convert it into the family room/playroom. I long to remove all the toys from my decor!!
.-= Ashley´s last post ..Nautical Red Blue =-.
I like those ideas. They're so clean feeling.
We use our basement largely as a computer room and a second place to watch TV. Our desktop is down there.
We have laptops too, though, so sometimes we just sit in the living room with computers on our laps.
My basement office definitely needs a makeover!
.-= Lesley @ The Design File´s last post ..DIY- Ideas for upholstered headboards =-.
I'm loving all the natural tones with the white. I don't have a basement, but if I did it would be casual lounging/reading/game-playing/tv-watching space.
.-= casey@loft&cottage´s last post ..friday food =-.
I live in an old house with more of a cellar than a basement. Just use it for storage ! Would love to have a space like one of these instead!!
Newer homes in our area don't tend to have basements unless built on a slope…so no basement! It would be a great space to have. Janell
No basements here in Florida but I love the inspiration photos for yours! I tend to think of basements as dark and scary but these would change my mind really fast!
Happy Monday! xo Jade
.-= Jade´s last post ..monday musing =-.
We have a walk out basement as well and we have turned it into our "play room." We still need to drywall and cover the ductwork in the ceilings but like you, we are moving slowly through the house and will have to get to that later
I am saving these images for the day we get around to it…
.-= Style Chronicle´s last post ..skin care secrets for fall =-.
We live in a cold climate,
and our walk-out basement is frigid
year-round. So, instead of
white, we painted it a mocha
color….the cabinets are
white bead board and the
trim and ceiling is white.
We use it for movies/wii {we
installed an enamel free-
standing fireplace} and
we also have a pool table
and a computer armoire for
games. I have menswear-
inspired fabrics and am
adding accessories for a
RL feel. I love your first
image as there are elements
there that I could most
definitely pull for this
room ~ thanks inspiring!
xx Suzanne
.-= Privet and Holly´s last post ..The Right Place and a Winner! =-.
Loving your inspiration pictures and must agree with Monika on the ping pong table. I think every Swedish house has one!
We don't have a basement in our current place but in the past I have enjoyed ones with a sauna, a guest room, a family/craft room, a gaming room and even a home gym.
Good luck with yours and have a great rest of the week.
xx Charlotta
Loving your inspiration! If you are going to hang in your basement, white and light all the way.
Personally I don't love spending time underground. But maybe when I have kids it will be a nice place for someone to escape to. Not in our current house though… the ceiling is 6' and my hunny is 6'4. Which means I do the bulk of the laundry!!
.-= Naomi@thirteenandsouth´s last post ..just beachy =-.
All the homes here (near Toronto, Canada) have basements. Ours is filled to the brim with "stuff" aka "junk." These beautiful images have me seeing all of the potential that is there.
.-= Vanessa@decor happy´s last post ..Painting out Wood =-.
these are lovely inspiration photos! Our basement is unfinished and in this old house…never will be finished, BUT, if I had a nice usable basement I'd have it be an extra living/family room!
.-= Mary @ Room Polish´s last post ..Feeling adventurous =-.
It's great that your basement has natural light which i think is essential. I love your inspiration pictures and all the organic elements brought in from the wood and sisal.
.-= Stacey´s last post ..Meet Cabbage Rose =-.
I´m loving it, the B&W helps to pop up the color details! I'd go anyway with a wood floor instead of white!
Anyway you have an excellent taste, averything will look great!
.-= Lucy´s last post ..Buen fin de semana! =-.
I love the idea of keeping things light in the basement. So many times you see dark and TV room like….this is a nice departure!
.-= Lissa @ After Adornment´s last post ..Slammed & Procrastinating =-.
those inspiration rooms are great for a basement. you're lucky you have a walk out to get all that great light in the space.
.-= alison@semi-fab lane´s last post ..small sneak peak =-.
You mean you don't want to do shag carpet and faux wood paneling?
Your inspiration photos are so un-basementlike that it makes them perfect for a basement.
We have a playroom and a painting studio in our basement…and a creepy storage area.
.-= angela | the painted house´s last post ..Goody-Goody =-.
I'm in the same predicament. We finished the basement last summer and amidst the renovation, having a baby, and final touch-ups, I have yet to furnish or decorate it!!! Good luck!
xoxo
Lila Ferraro
For a basement, I love the third window down, because it seems so cozy. The others are beautiful and light-filled, but I wonder if you'll have that much natural light in reality?
.-= Jane Flanagan´s last post ..Three of a kind =-.