Thursday, 31 August 2017

Painting Basements? Choose These Top 5 Colours

Basements are interesting places to decorate. Most homes have basements that double up as storage places or as an extra room. Homeowners also like to use this extra area to organize parties and family meets. If the basement is going to be used as a place where you spend time with family and friends, it is definitely a good idea to paint some interesting colours. 


A number of Ecopainting’s clients have specific uses for the basement. If you plan to use it as a TV/media room, use dark colours. In case you plan to use it for reading or relaxation purposes, a monochromatic or light colour scheme will work well. You can stay conservative and stick to neutral colours, but the basement is one place where you can go bold with colours and experiment. 

Selecting a good colour for the basement should not be difficult provided you know the limitations and advantages of this unique space. Considers painting samples and adjust the available lighting so that any paint colour in the basement turns out just right. 

Your basement can be dingy and dark with no windows or a big, bright room with a walk-out door. It makes more sense to take into account the lighting needs first and then choose the colour. Once you have determined that, your colour options will also increase. 


Here are some colours that are great for painting basements

  • Benjamin Moore’s Pottery Red – A deep red colour, this shade will be great for a media room and used alongside black and white. Such a red will work with distinct styles and accent colours. Pair that up with a white ceiling and trim so that the room doesn’t feel cramped and acts as a contrast to the red. 
  • Benjamin Moore’s Golden Honey – If you have a basement that doesn’t have enough natural light, this yellow shade will brighten up the area. Some clients choose to use basements as play areas or home offices, in such cases a warm yellow will make everything look bright and inviting. However, do not assume that a yellow paint colour will be able to completely compensate the lack of natural lighting around the room. Some light will be needed though. 
  • Benjamin Moore’s Wandering Heart:  Neutrals can work well in basements too. If you want to paint your basement a neutral shade but don’t want it to be too dull, the Wandering Heart is one colour you should consider. The pale green undertone gives a unique appearance under light. 
  • Benjamin Moore’s Arctic Blue: Basements painted in a universal colour like blue appear light and open. The Arctic Blue is a paint shade that has just a hint of green undertones and doesn’t look all blue. It’s a spa like colour that is ideal for creating a calm atmosphere in the basement. 
  • Benjamin Moore’s California Lilac: Lilacs and Purples are great alternatives to all the greens and blues out there. A deep purple shade will make a basement look royal. It is great for inspiring creativity and fun. With adequate lighting, this paint colour is most suitable for game rooms. 


In addition to choosing the best colours for your basement, the right sheen has an important role to play as well. The sheen will determine how the light will be reflected on the painted walls, whether it will highlight or hide flaws and how easy it will be to clean the walls. If you have a damp basement that may be affected by mold, a satin paint finish will be needed as it can tolerate moisture better than other paint types. 

Homeowners should also take into account, the current finishing of the basement and any other existing materials that may have been used to finish the basement. For example, if you have brick walls, you may like to paint the adjoining walls a refreshing colour such as pale green or a blue. In case the basement has a carpet or complete drywall, deeper and richer colours will be more appropriate. 

What colours do you think look best in a basement? Do share your colour and décor ideas in the comments section below. 

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