Basements are often the ugly duckling of a home. They get finished without an overall plan. A bedroom gets added when needed and where it fits. Walls are insulated and paneled because it is quick and cheap. Rug is thrown on the floor for looks and to keep feet warm.
Basements are becoming more valuable as living spaces or rental apartments. Upgrading and modernizing are good ways to make them more comfortable, cozy, and saleable.
Unless a basement is used regularly–as a family room or for entertaining–it is the last place to get updated. When the time comes, here are some old ideas that have to go.
Wood Panelling
Wood paneling is a staple for basement walls. Quick, easy, and cheap. Also dated and often dark and ugly. Replace it with drywall painted in light colors to eliminate the dungeon feel of your basement.
Removing paneling also provides the opportunity to add rigid foam insulation to exterior basement walls. Not only will the basement be brighter and modern, it will be warmer and dryer.
Wood Ceilings
Modern basement ceiling ideas include wood. Just not the old dark heavy-feeling finishes of the 1970s. Remove the old wood and install drywall. Use light paint.
Drop Ceilings
Drop ceilings are still popular today. The designs and colors are much more varied and attractive than the industrial acoustic panels used 50 years ago. It is easy to replace the existing panels without tearing down the grid.
Replacing drop ceilings with drywall attached to the floor joists opens up a room because the ceiling is higher. Another popular style option is not to finish the ceiling at all–but to paint the underside of the subfloor above, the joists, ducts, and pipes. Similar to some commercial finishing. Keep in mind that this may also be a fad and become dated quickly.
Outdated Lighting
Fluorescent lighting is popular in drop ceilings. It has a very industrial feel. These fixtures can be replaced with pot lights or modern track lights without removing the ceiling.
Many basements are lit by boring dull fixtures using incandescent bulbs. Lighting for a basement can easily be turned bright and modern just by changing fixtures and using LED bulbs. More and better lighting may be all that is needed to make your basement more inviting and modern.
Shag Carpet
Shag carpet was a thing in the 60s and 70s–just like hippies. Shag is making a bit of a comeback but it still looks dated and should be replaced with modern floor covering. Any carpet laid directly on concrete is difficult to clean and can be a home for mold in high-humidity basements.
Laminate flooring or Luxury vinyl are the most popular types of modern flooring. Easy to clean and mold-resistant. Heated concrete floors can be painted or epoxied and remain comfortably warm.
Wallpaper Borders
Removing wallpaper borders at chair height and on the wall at ceiling height instantly modernizes your basement. Wallpaper can be very attractive when used on full walls–either to a complete room or feature wall. Leaving old dated paisley wallpaper is also a poor choice. A simple neutral paint job is clean and modern. Use pictures and wall hangings to make a statement in the room.
Bulkheads, Ductwork, and Posts
Building ceilings lower to hide bulkheads and beams lowers room height and makes the basement room feel chopped up. Modern basement design prefers to leave them exposed or proud of the finished ceiling–even accent them. Beamed basement ceilings add faux beams to give a rustic feel.
At one time, support posts were built into walls to hide them. Leading to strange room shapes or dimensions. Today’s emphasis is on open spaces and using finished posts as a room’s highlight.
Furniture
When new furniture replaces existing main living area furniture, the used stuff often ends up in the basement. Mismatched, dated, and half worn out. Updating the basement includes updated furniture.
One reason that basements are not inviting is the musty, stale smell which may be caused by mold growth and lack of ventilation. When upgrading, check for signs of basement mold and get rid of it. Ensure that basement ventilation is optimal–making your basement more comfortable and inviting.
