- 1). Take advantage of basements that are above, or partly above, ground by adding extra windows or glass bricks. Glass bricks allow light to travel into a room and look funky and modern. Keep window dressings simple so as not to block out the natural light. Add a simple roller blind to allow plenty of light to penetrate the room when the blind is open. Avoid fussy curtains and valances as these will block out precious light.
- 2). Decorate the basement with a light color palette, even if it's only used for storage. The lighter the colors, the brighter the room will be. Use paints with a gloss or semi-gloss finish, as the slight sheen of the finish will help reflect both natural and artificial light around the room, making it feel lighter and more airy.
- 3). Add recessed lights to the ceiling for general lighting. Recessed lights are fitted so they lie almost flush with the ceiling. This means that the light they produce is not blocked or inhibited by lampshades, and this is a far more attractive option than a bare bulb.
- 4). Fit track lights for a stylish look. Track lights feature several spotlights mounted on a track that is fixed to the ceiling. This is a suitable option for areas where you require extra light, such as work areas or near storage cupboards and shelves.
- 5). Mount spotlights and directional lights on the walls to illuminate specific areas. If your basement is large or oddly-shaped, general ceiling lighting such as recessed lights may leave areas of the room like corners quite dark. Directional lights can be pointed in the direction you wish for the task at hand.
- 6). Use tabletop lamps and tall standard lamps to create a more cozy feel in a basement living room, den or study. This means you can relax and watch TV, read a book, or study without excessively bright overhead lighting. Tabletop lamps create a pool of light that doesn't extend far beyond the light itself. This is just what you want for curling up in a comfy chair with a good book.
- 7). Get creative with ornamental lighting, such as lava lamps, neon signs and fairy lights. While these won't offer much practical light in the same way as task lighting does, they make an attractive addition to a basement living room and will really light up and dark corners or recesses.
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