Basement Lighting Solutions

When homeowners remodel their basements, the aim is usually to create a welcoming space that friends and family will enjoy using. One of the many elements to consider in making a basement as comfortable and visually appealing as possible is the lighting. While it is tempting to approach choosing lights for a basement as one might select lights for an above-grade room, the partial or total lack of ambient light makes the choice a little trickier.

Recessed Lighting

Homeowners can compensate for the absence of outside light in several ways, such as installing recessed lighting in the ceiling. Available options include stationary recessed can lighting and miniature lights, as well as eyeball fixtures that can be swiveled to shift the direction of the light.

Recessed LightingRecessed lighting is ideal for many basements because basement remodeling often involves installing a drop ceiling to conceal piping and insulation, so there may be less room for lights that hang down from the ceiling. Recessed lighting can ensure that the room is illuminated without getting in the way.

Pendant Lights

If the height of the ceiling isn’t an issue, pendant lights may be an excellent choice because they help conserve space on desks and tables that might otherwise require a lamp on them. Plus, pendant lights are available in many decorative styles, sizes, and lengths, allowing homeowners to choose a design that suit their basement remodeling vision. Track lighting is another ceiling-mounted option that comes in many forms. It’s flexible, is easy to install, and suits virtually type of remodeled basement with any kind of style.

Faux Windows

If homeowners find themselves yearning for the light of the outdoors, even underground, they can build their own artificial window by simply cutting a hole in the wall of their basement and mounting lights to the concrete. These lights should be day-spectrum in order to complete the illusion. Then, they can simply construct a “window frame”, add blinds, and turn the lights on for a convincing faux window.

Dimmer Switches

With all of these lights, homeowners can also choose to install a dimmer in order to better control the brightness of their preferred lighting solution. Such a switch is useful in a basement that serves multiple purposes because it can provide both the bright light needed to play a game of pool or the darker ambiance a home theater requires.

Consider the Palette

Like lighting, the right color scheme the room can help brighten up a remodeled basement. While darker colors may make a room feel cozier, they also work against lighting fixtures. That doesn’t mean that whitewashing the walls and opting for ivory tile is the best choice, however, because such selections can be overwhelming and perhaps unwelcoming. Instead, a middle-of-the-road palette of warm neutrals can provide the best of both worlds, lending a basement an inviting atmosphere while reflecting ambient lighting.

No matter how homeowners choose to light their basements, they should plan their lighting before remodeling the basement. By having a detailed solution in mind before installing the walls or ceiling, it will be easier to run electricity to all of the lights without interfering with drywall, ceiling tiles, and other obstructions.