What color to paint basement?

[Anonymous]

We are renovating our basement. It is not a walk out basement (has 2 small windows). But overall it is dark. I was thinking yellow but definitely something light. Would love to see what others recommend.

[Anonymous]

White.

[Anonymous]

Very light blue

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White.

Agree - -a decorator shade of white -- even yellow is going to seem dark.

[Anonymous]

Cream. You want something with warm undertones to counter the gray light that comes from little sunlight. Pick something with a yellow undertone.

[Anonymous]

Don't pick your color until you pick your rugs, furniture, curtains, fireplace, etc. Once you have these things in place, you will pick your color based on these items. It is much easier to find paint to match your decor, than to find decor to match your paint. This is the last step in the process (or at least it should be).

[Anonymous]

BM Mannequin cream. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/mannequincream

[Anonymous]

Not white! Mariam Killiam's blog. We have our walk out basement painted linen white and I don't even like that. I think a color would be much better.

[Anonymous]

not white--something to make you think of the outside like a light blue, green, or golden or creamy yellow

[Anonymous]

Nothing too yellow-ish please - yuck! Warm white sounds good though - I like BM White Dove.

Agree that it would be better to wait until you know how you're decorating the space.

[Anonymous]

I painted my basement green. Twice. The first one was something like Thomas Wheat, the second I don't recall at all.

Green is described as a "receding" color, meaning it gives a sense of spaciousness. Finding a warm, light green is difficult but worthwhile.

The important thing is to find the right white for the ceiling. I would also caution against using a different color for trim. Make it solid so that the eye isn't drawn in different directions. Again, another nod to expansiveness.

Let us know what you decide.

[Anonymous]

I just did a very light greyish blue (Beacon Grey) with warm white trim (BM Cloud White) in our basement. We have light carpet and neutral sofas (tan) so I think it works well. I probably wouldn't do just a white.

[Anonymous]

One of the places we lived did a cream with white trim. It looked nice. I hate white walls - I think they look very stark and industrial. Blech.

[Anonymous]

I really really hate yellow.

Very light blue, light gray or taupe

[Anonymous]

Ours is Monterey White by Ben Moore. Light but warm. Perfect for our basement with white trim. I know others with Manhattan Tan also by Ben M.