Dan's Hamptons

Sometimes you just need space- somewhere to watch a movie, blast your music as loud as you want, or somewhere to put your guests. Since adding on an extra room is usually more trouble than most are willing to go through for extra space, that leaves one place and one place only to turn your home from crowded to comfortable: the basement. Turning your basement from a dank cellar to a plush living space involves more than a coat of paint and a good scrub brush because there is nothing to help you decorate – no views, no natural light, no ocean breezes. However, a basement space doesn’t need to feel like a prison. In fact, with a few adjustments, it might just become your favorite place in the whole house.

One of the most wonderful aspects of basements is the open floor plan. No matter what style your house is, you can decorate your basement in any fashion you choose, since every basement starts out resembling a big, open loft space (without the big windows, of course). Feel free to create different spaces within your large basement area, such as a little kitchenette in one corner, a dining area nearby, a central sitting area, and a sleeping area, too. You can separate the sleeping area from the rest of the space with Japanese-style screens, a glass-block wall, or a traditional wall with a door for more privacy.

Once you have your areas mapped out, it’s time to deal with practical matters, such as making sure that the basement is as insulated and temperature-controlled as the rest of the house. Also, make sure that there is enough ventilation fans, and air-conditioners are a must. Also, basements tend to dry out quickly, so invest in a good humidifier or two. If the walls are cement-block, you might want to put up plaster walls over that. If you have exposed brick, try leaving one wall exposed, and plastering the others. Also, a cement floor will need to be covered in wall-to-wall carpeting, vinyl, tile, or wood. If you choose carpeting – the coziest option – be sure to choose warm colors and to steer clear of blues, whites and grays. For a relaxed atmosphere, try patterned wall hangings. Or, for a more traditional look, choose warm paint colors and furniture in plush fabrics and rich tones. You can really express yourself here; the basement doesn’t have to match the rest of the house. If you’ve ever wanted to paint a room pink, orange, red, green or bright turquoise, this is the place to do it.

The most important feature of any basement space is, of course, lighting. You want to create the illusion of natural light, but don’t assume that blue “daylight” bulbs will suffice. Their light is cold, and although it is easier to work by, as the only light source it can often feel impersonal. Instead, opt for “Soft Pink” bulbs like those made by G.E., and always choose more light sources in lower wattages than a few too-bright fixtures. Try putting tall, upward-facing lamps in the corners, track lighting or tube lights on the ceiling, and regular, shaded lamps on tables. This lighting plan, coupled with the soft pink bulbs, will bathe your basement in a warm welcoming glow. If your inner teenager craves hot chili pepper lights, or multicolored lights, indulge. Tack or tape the lights so that they are perfectly aligned with the joint between the wall and ceiling, and plug them into a surge protector with an on/off switch. Multicolored lights can instantly transform even the coldest basement into a tropical getaway, and faceted pastel lights are not garish like their primary-colored, opaque predecessors from the holiday decorations of the 1950s. Try using vellum or paper shades on table lamps, and frosted shades instead of opaque metal bowls on taller lamps. Dimmers and light-sensitive nightlights are also a wonderful feature to add to your lighting plan, especially if you plan to have children sleeping in the basement, as waking up in the absence of any light whatsoever can disorient even the most grown-up guest. On that note, equipping your basement room with a sunrise-simulating clock, such as the BioBrite, can help to alleviate the strangeness of waking up in complete darkness, by gradually illuminating the room over a period from 15 to a 90 minute interval.

Beyond lighting, just think warm. Choose wooden furnishings over metal, natural-colored leather and deep-colored fabrics over bright, cold sateen or black leather. The basement doesn’t have to feel like a prison, but it will inevitably feel a bit like a cave, so make sure that it is a warm, comfortable and inviting.