Is an all-white basement the key to make it as light as possible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would light that is cool / blue-ish (6000 kelvin) instead of warm yellow (2700 kelvin) help or hurt?

I would go with warmer whites, certainly. It would counter some of the natural dankness of a basement.

[Anonymous]

No you want windows, tall full sized ones at least 2 per room

[Anonymous]

As shown in the picture above, having a lighter ceiling makes your room look taller. All white actually makes the space appear smaller.

[Anonymous]

Very, very light gray walls.
White trim/doors
Recessed lighting with true white bulbs

Here's what will make it pop:

A mural on 1 wall. Like your in a forest. Makes the room look so much bigger. Here's an example:

http://www.wallpaperwallmurals.com/green-forest-floor-wall-mural

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would light that is cool / blue-ish (6000 kelvin) instead of warm yellow (2700 kelvin) help or hurt?

Definitely whiter light. Yellow looks dark and dismal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very, very light gray walls.
White trim/doors
Recessed lighting with true white bulbs

Here's what will make it pop:

A mural on 1 wall. Like your in a forest. Makes the room look so much bigger. Here's an example:

http://www.wallpaperwallmurals.com/green-forest-floor-wall-mural

I forgot: do light color faux hardwood. It's very cheap at Home Depot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very, very light gray walls.
White trim/doors
Recessed lighting with true white bulbs

Here's what will make it pop:

A mural on 1 wall. Like your in a forest. Makes the room look so much bigger. Here's an example:

http://www.wallpaperwallmurals.com/green-forest-floor-wall-mural

Is this a joke post?

This isn't the 70s PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ours is all white with a blue accent wall like this.

new pp, Gorgeous! Any suggestions for an affordable update our similarly situated basement from playroom to serious teen hangout? It needs to be designed for co-eds. Your suggestion seems on the mark, with the exception of the sofa. Plus, we will keep the creamy beige carpet b/c the kids love to sprawl out on it.

I draw blanks when it is time for ME to fix up my own house. I love your suggestion.

[Anonymous]

I am not the poster who suggested the mural, but in no way are they dated. To the PP who thought the mural suggestion was a joke, check out the link below -- most are done recently and by builders and designers. Murals may not be to everyone's taste, but they are quite current.

http://www.houzz.com/basement-mural

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not the poster who suggested the mural, but in no way are they dated. To the PP who thought the mural suggestion was a joke, check out the link below -- most are done recently and by builders and designers. Murals may not be to everyone's taste, but they are quite current.

http://www.houzz.com/basement-mural

Unless it is a nursery or child's room, murals are tacky and will be very dated quite quickly, particularly natur scenes.

Have you seen in person a wall papered in fake trees?

I have and it is not a good look.

[Anonymous]

It is not my style either. And, I personally wouldn't do it in my home -- I was just saying that designers use murals today, and that the PPs suggestion was not from the 70s.

[Anonymous]

You want creamy white. And you also will want great lighting (try the GE ... oh, I forget the brand. It comes in a white and light blue box. Very pretty spectrum.). Long floor-to-ceiling curtains AROUND (not just in front of) the few windows you have will help, too.

Good luck.