Ceilings are also a challenge to remodeling your basement because they are often very low. Don’t even think about using lighting that dangles down, such as a chandelier, because this will accentuate the height problem. When remodeling your basement try to use sleek track lighting or embed a series of small halogen lights into the ceiling all around the perimeter of the walls and not just in the center.

In Asia where apartments are often very small, it is a common practice to create a molded ceiling area that may be round (or square or any other shape) and then fit halogen lights into the ceiling around the pattern of the molding. It’s inexpensive and looks very chic. Also consider embedding halogen lights on the walls above where you will hang art or inside open cabinets to give added light to spaces that might otherwise be in shadows.

Brighten up corners your basement finishing project with long, slender pole lamps. Lean poles and simple shades give the illusion of height unlike regular desk or end table lamps with low, heavy shades that make a room look heavy and overstuffed. Getting basement lighting right is a little different than when decorating spaces with natural light. Remember in a dark basement all the things you add will either absorb or reflect light, there are no exceptions. That includes fabric, furniture, tiles, flooring and ceiling textures. Basement finishing is not just about making it less junky but making it breathable, livable and bright!

Maximizing Basement Natural Light

Take at look at some basement remodeling photos with before and after shots. How has a professional basement remodeling company maximized the light of the basement? Although most basements have little natural light, there usually is some. If the basement has small windows that look outside, maximize their light by placing mirrors on the back basement walls that are opposite these windows. Those will double the light in the room so as long as you don’t cover the windows with heavy curtains.

The best window treatment solution for any basements remodeling is to use nothing at all or a soft translucent sheer or a blind that allows light to pass through. You can also have the basement windows frosted to allow privacy but not keep out natural light. There are frosting techniques you can do yourself, or you could make the windows look as if they were stained glass. There are kits to do this and if you use soft colors and simple designs the results can be stunning.

An Inviting Basement Glow

One of the main reasons we find rooms inviting, be they in a home or a hotel or an office or a restaurant, is the lighting. Soft, but strategically placed, lights that give a glow to the room while not burning our eyes, is of utmost importance when remodeling your basement. You cannot achieve this with one bright bulb or fluorescent tube smack in the center of the ceiling. You cannot achieve this with traditional table lamps that cast most of their light to the floor. Light the basement ceiling in many places and give the basement walls spot lights that glow around art, furnishings or open cabinets that you will create space and light.

Why? Because it’s underground and dark! People are attracted to open space and light. It’s simply human nature. Cave dwelling, for most of the world, went out of fashion long ago.

Your first priority in remodeling a basement, no matter what it will be used for, should be finding the means to open it up as much as possible and bring in light, be it natural or electric.

There is no reason why one of your basement remodeling ideas can’t be similar to loft designs. Low ceilings can be given the illusion of being higher and pillars can be focal points, as can exposed pipes and tubes and industrial equipment such as heaters and furnaces. Some of the greatest bars and restaurants in New York, and around the world, are located underground where, after remodeling a basement these savvy entrepreneurs (and their basement remodeling contractors) have not even attempted to hide basement pipes or ducts. If you are determined to hide them, then use paneling or boxes that take up as little space as possible and leave the main area open, but remember that these pipes or ducts may need to be accessed for maintenance so don’t hide them without providing a way to get at them later.

Maximize your basement finishing remodeling projects with basement remodeling plans and décor that incorporates light colors and smooth textures, track basement lighting, mirrors and open cabinets or shelves and avoiding heavy drapes, bulky outdated furniture and dark or drab colors.

… because this will make a basement seem cluttered and claustrophobic even if it’s not. And although bedrooms and bathrooms unavoidably require basement walls, there are tricks that can maintain the illusion of openness while providing privacy.

Glass for Internal Basement Doors and Windows

One trick in basement renovation is to build a wall but make of it mostly a window. A large internal wall that separates a bedroom from the living space could be designed with glass block windows to make the area appear more open.

Doors can be French doors or glass paneled doors instead of solid wood. Use glass blocks and frosted window panes so the windows will not need to be covered with drapes or heavy curtains. If anything, use sheer or light colored cotton for accentuating internal windows.

The key is to be able to give precise basement remodeling ideas to your contractor showing exactly what you want based on your personal needs. Also tell them about the dreamy ideas you may have gotten from books and magazines so the professionals can guide you and maximize the space you have.

A well executed basement remodeling job can facilitate entertaining, accommodate out of town guests, give privacy to a home based entrepreneur, make watching a movie a theater experience or even give you a spa instead of just another bathroom.

The key factor that will determine if your basement remodeling ideas were successful is how much you use the space once the basement finishing is finished.

Here are some tips that will help ensure the success of remodeling your basement.

• Basements should be heavily lit, much more so than above-grade rooms.
• Maximize the little natural light you have and accentuate with lots of artificial lighting.
• Chose your ideal space from open and airy basement remodeling plans.
• Use interior windows and French doors instead of solid wood doors or solid basement walls.
• When selecting what you will use for basement decorating incorporate light colors and mirrors.
• Select basement flooring that will add warmth because basements are naturally cold.
• Discuss with a basement remodeling company how to best add a secondary heating source.
• Consider a wood burning stove, a fireplace and most of all a built-in floor warming system.
• Eliminate as many pillars and walls as you possibly can without the house collapsing.
• When repositioning air ducts and pipes or existing plumbing try to keep them at the edge of walls or near pillars to leave as much open space and headroom as possible.
• If your basement is narrow incorporate horizontal lines in basement decorating.
• Due to moisture issues, contact a basement waterproofing specialist to seal the floor, ceiling and basement walls.
• Consider alternatives to carpet for basement flooring such as tiles or stone or hardwood.
• Do it yourself basement remodeling can be more effective if you consult an architect or interior designer to help you get the most benefit out of your space. You need not contract a basement remodeling company to do the final work but get advice.
• Use bright colors as much as possible when basement decorating, even if its just accent toss cushions.

Basement remodeling and basement finishing is not something that must be stressful. You can do it slowly with a few home improvement tips from this site or watch as basement remodeling contractors (or the do it yourself basement remodeling team) transform what was junky, grungy and dark into what is neat, organized and bright!

I understand the problems that are unique to basement remodeling, such as low ceilings, poor lighting, waterproofing, the quest for contractors and basement finishing and flooring ideas that are practical. I will help you overcome the problems you may encounter before they happen.

The biggest problems, unique to basement remodeling, are extremely low ceilings, visible pipes and structural columns in odd places that can’t be removed. They also tend to be moist or hold the humidity more than other parts of the house and therefore require more attention to weatherproofing and basement waterproofing that is more difficult because you’re dealing with a structure that is already built and you must work with what’s available. Another thing is that plumbing problems are a real headache because the water or sewage ends up down there in strange places that might not be ideal.

• How can you not just work around, but work WITH these odd basement quirks?

Basement finishing without forethought, frequently ends up being a storage area or a place to hide ugly water tanks, a central heating system or furnace and a general household junkyard that often remains that way for years. If walls have been left unfinished, basement renovation becomes almost as much work as starting from zero, especially if it’s not much more than a cement box. Some basements, like mine, didn’t even have that. The walls were stone and the floor was dirt. Where to begin?

• How can you turn your unfinished basement into a fun or useful part of the house?
• How can you decide what is best use for the space you have to remodel?
• Are you torn between a home theater/game room/pool table/bar and creating a large open area for the kids to play in?
• Do you work at home and want a bigger office or work room that isn’t a depressing cave?
• Do you want a place to workout instead of going to the gym?
• Do you need an additional bedroom for when guests or in-laws come to visit?
• Are you remodeling your basement because you’re expecting a baby?
• What about a spa or hot tub as part of your basement renovation?
• Do you need a bigger laundry room or more storage space that’s organized and bright?
• Do you want to dive into basement remodeling but don’t have a clue where to start?
• Are you contemplating do it yourself basement remodeling?
• Do you need advice on basement remodeling contractors?

• Have you been searching for a basement remodeling company without success?

• Do you need some basement remodeling plans?
• Would some basement remodeling pictures help to inspire you?

If you really want to use your basement space effectively you can’t just slap some paint on the walls, hang a few bright curtains and toss down a rug and think it will be used. Since basements are naturally dark and damp, you will have to put some thought into what you want to achieve by remodeling your basement and how to get there step by step. If you are going to do the job properly you’re going to need some home maintenance tips to get just right.

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