If your basement just isn’t serving you but you’re not looking to invest a ton of money to make over this space, note that there are many budget-friendly hacks you can take on to make this room of the home feel brand new.
Below, designers share seven of their top tips for making over a basement on a budget.
Paint Everything—And Go Bold
Paint is always an affordable way to update—or upgrade—any room without breaking the bank. Nadia Watts, the founder of Nadia Watts Interior Design, suggests going all in with paint in the basement, covering the ceiling, walls, pipes, exposed beams, and even the floors.
“Paint everything the same color for a cohesive look or use an analogous color palette to create depth and interest,” she says. Watts recommends going bold in color to give the basement a bit of extra personality.
“Let it stand out from the rest of your home,” she says. “Basements are a great place to experiment with color.”
Add Window Treatments
Rather than leaving your windows bare, adorn them with shades or drapery. Watts is partial to woven shades in the basement.
“They look clean and allow you to let as much light in or out as you wish,” she says.
If you have your heart set on curtains, though, those are an excellent solution as well. Hanging curtains will make your basement windows appear taller and also help the windows appear larger, the designer adds.
Hang Mirrors
You likely have mirrors hanging in many of the other living spaces in your home, so why not place one or two in the basement as well? This is an easy way to bring more light into this cave-like space. And there isn’t one right or wrong approach in terms of how many mirrors you use here.
“Hang multiple mirrors for a greater effect, or get one large mirror, don’t be afraid to go big,” Watts says.
Consider going the secondhand route as you shop for mirrors in order to stick within your budget. “You can usually find excellent options at thrift stores, estate sales, or on Facebook Marketplace,” Bhavana Bhimavarapu, a senior designer at O’Hara Interiors, says.
Replace Lighting
If your basement light fixtures are a bit lackluster, go ahead and part ways with them and install pieces that complement your aesthetic.
“The right lighting can take a basement from drab to fab,” Watts says. She recommends installing sconces and using table lamps rather than solely relying on overhead lighting in this space.
Go Big With Art
No room is complete without artwork, and that includes the basement. Watts recommends going large in size, as this will make your room feel more spacious. By no means do you have to break the bank in the process.
“Art doesn’t have to cost a fortune,” Watts says. “Scour your local secondhand store for vintage art or go online for art sources shipped directly to you.”
Install Open Shelving
While built-ins can be time-consuming and costly, you can easily hang some open storage shelves for basements within a matter of hours, then go to town displaying favorite books and trinkets. There are many options when it comes to installation layout.
“You can choose longer pieces to run parallel to large couches or tables, or use several stacked, shorter shelves in a corner or on a wall with less width,” Bhimavarapu says.
Designate Various Nooks
While many basements are one large room, you can set up the space in such a way that there are various zones or nooks for different activities. Think about how you wish to use the space as a whole and carve out room for each purpose.
“If you create a space for people to gather, game, entertain, and exercise, your previously unused space becomes a destination for activity in your home,” Watts says.
Kara Piepmeyer, the founder of Studio Kosma, agrees that zones are a smart solution in the basement.
“Think about what you’re lacking from the rest of your space and focus on bringing that to life in the basement,” Piepmeyer says, citing a home office space, game table, or even a more spacious primary suite as examples.