How to Redecorate a Basement Room for Adults

We have one more letter regarding a basement surprise. Here we go. Dear Genevieve, our living room has multiple personalities. It's got a Tiki Bar, medieval castle and college fraternity basement. We both agree it's dysfunctional and tacky but have different idea on how to fix it. Help us to make this a grown up place to hang out.

So if you want an adult room, you have to start thinking like one. So all that stuff that could easily live in the garage, the bicycles, the treadmills, all the sports equipment, it's time for that to move out and really focus on the purpose and function of this space. In looking at this basement living room, I see some of the familiar suspects, just the low ceilings, the small windows. It probably has a little bit of dark and dank feel. So my first intention with all basements is to make it feel cozy and warm.

First thing I want to do is focus on that fireplace wall. Let's think about how to bring in some storage. Floor to ceiling storage on either side and eat up some of that curves. The hearth is just overgrown, so by punching our built-ins over that you will really make this fireplace more of a focal point and less of an irritant. As far as colours go, you see a lot of white and beige and kind of colour palette. So let's bring in some blues and light greens and some crisp whites and some sharp blacks and really clean up this whole palette. I can definitely see the walls in a beautiful aqua blue. Those built-ins should be white all the way to the ceiling getting rid of that strange wood that runs itself around the bottom perimeter.

Then bring in some wood flooring and taking away some of that basement aesthetic. Create a conversation area on an area rug right in front of this fireplace so you know where to land. Bring in some plants from the outside to make that seamless connection and some floor to ceiling window treatments that will definitely lift that saggy ceiling. When you are working with the basement, you need to try all the illusions you can possibly use to make the ceiling seem taller and windows seem bigger.

Alright, so let's break this down. First thing built-ins, lots of storage closed and open floor to ceiling to eat up that curve of the fireplace. Big area rug, we need to create a conversation area in this room, right now I don't where to sit and what to do. So something in front of that fireplace, a small couch, couple of chairs, floor to ceiling window treatments. As far as color, bring in crisp white, ivory's, bring in some greys and some aquas and greens. I think by using these simple techniques, you will have a basement that works for you.


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