An unfinished basement is untapped increased value for your home and your potential future man cave, entertainment space, rental unit…and so many other things.
Many homeowners have basements with low ceilings, which can contribute to a sense of confinement. However, this shouldn’t stop you from converting the room into a functional space. If you are looking at renovating your basement, you will likely want the space to feel more open and inviting than it was previously. But how can you possibly make your basement space look bigger without physically altering the physical structure?
Here are six tricks to making your basement space look bigger.
#1: Select simple patterns over complex.
Heavily printed and decorated walls can look unique, but some patterns can shorten the appearance of a space. Additionally, loud prints can make the room appear messy, so it’s best to stick to simpler wall designs. If you want a pattern like stripes, you may want to select vertical over horizontal to exaggerate the length of your basement.
You may also opt to add patterns on the bottom or top of the walls to accentuate them. This option would give your basement a more dynamic design without making it look crowded.
#2: Choose light colours for the ceilings and walls.
Light pastels or plain white can brighten up a room significantly and create a more inviting appearance. Therefore, choosing a light shade for your basement would be a great idea. If the ceiling is a couple of shades lighter than the ceiling, this can increase the look of a bigger space.
When changing your basement walls’ colors, ensure you scrape the old paint so you can apply a new coat smoothly. If you have no idea how, you can hire a basement remodeler to help you out instead. They can assist in fixing your basement and ensure the paint doesn’t get on any of your things
#3: Don’t crowd the center of the room.
By placing your furniture arrangements along the walls of the room rather than throwing them in the middle, you can make the space seem larger. You’ll have more space to walk around without worrying about bumping into your things. If there is a need to put furniture in the middle of a room, make sure the piece is simple. For example, a small coffee table would add style and function to your basement without taking up too much space.
#4: Avoid clutter.
A clean space free of excess storage, clutter and furniture will look much larger than a disorganized basement. Storage pieces and displays may help to organize things if you have a lot of collections or pictures hanging around that need a place to go.
To maximize your basement space, you can add hanging shelves on your walls to store small items like books or figurines. Choosing furniture with storage features would also be a great idea. For instance, some sofas have storage space you can utilize to keep some items out of sight.
#5: Choose reflective flooring.
Laminate or shiny wood can open up a room thanks to its their reflective properties. Also, lighter carpeting or area rugs can add to this exaggerated appearance, but mainly if they have simple or no patterns.
#6: Use floor or table lamps for lighting.
Ceiling fans or light fixtures hanging from the ceiling can clutter and recede your basement space, as well as potentially make a lot of dark corners. Strategically placed table and floor lamps can mimic the appearance of natural light and open up your space.
Hiring a Developer for Your Renovations
A developer is always critical when you are looking to do modifications to your home. They can help keep your project grounded in reality, offer suggestions and advice, and help you bring your images to life.
Additionally, they can finish the job quicker and ensure all renovations are done properly.
Get to know the professionals available in your area and do your research before choosing! You’ll want a licensed expert to help you with your next basement renovation project. Different areas require different certifications; ex: Calgary basement development experts may have basement development certificates, City of Calgary permits, etc.
All in all, a basement renovation is an exciting project. If your basement is small and you would like it to appear larger, these tips might help you to exaggerate its actual size to appear more open.
