11 Basement Decorating Ideas That Will Upgrade Your Home's Lower Level

Make a Game Plan

Before diving into a basement decorating project, take a step back and come up with a path forward. "We start all of our design projects with a strong conceptual approach and use this as our touchstone throughout the design process,” says interior designer Ryann Swan. "We recommend doing the same for your basement so you always have this overall concept to refer back to to ensure that the design remains cohesive and thoughtful."

For inspiration, she says to consider your home's architectural style, geographic location, and preferred aesthetic. Also think about what the rest of your home looks like and how you can create a cohesive transition from the basement to the remainder of your house.

Edit as Needed

Basements have a tendency to turn into a hodgepodge—a place where random pieces of furniture end up since they’ve got nowhere else to go. Try to avoid this as best as you can, and don't be afraid to say no to certain items if they don't flow with the rest of your space.

"We love a good hand-me-down piece of furniture—Aunt Shirley has some real gems—but avoid saying yes to pieces that don't work within your overall design aesthetic," Swan says. The same goes for sales. Just because something is an amazing deal doesn't mean that it will enhance the look of your basement. "Have a look about and make sure that items aren't selected to fill a gap, but rather enhance your home," Swan says.

Add Art

The good news is that upgrading your basement's design doesn't have to cost a small fortune. For maximum impact on a budget, consider hanging some of your favorite art works so your basement can double as a private gallery. In the above Nebraska home, designer Belinda Pabian struck a healthy balance between subtle and statement with some pared-back pieces, which added a subtle touch of color to the otherwise neutral lower level.

Go Big With a Bar

"The basement is an overlooked area from a design perspective in the home, but it can be a functional and beautifully designed space," says Elizabeth Rees, founder of Chasing Paper. When it came to decorating her dream basement, Rees incorporated a speakeasy-worthy bar for adults. With a moody blue peninsula, foot railings below, and wallpaper-clad nook to show off her finest bottles, this basement decorating idea is certainly worth toasting to.

Use Statement Wallpaper

Sometimes, a little pop of color is all you need to make your basement shine. Need proof? Just take a look at this space from Chango & Co. "We wanted to create some interest in a basement that lacked light and was a simple white box," says Susana Simonpietri, the firm's lead creative.​​ "We added a wallpaper with tie-dye green bands to provide a handmade quality to the space, then layered a mix of leathers, wood, chunky wool knots, and linen to provide depth and texture."

Not only does the wallpaper add a warm touch to this home's lower-most level, but Simonpietri adds that the mix of weaves helps with the acoustics. Form, meet function.

Use Light Paint Colors

Basements are oftentimes underground, which means natural lighting might be scarce. Fortunately, you can fake the look of a brighter basement with a fresh coat of paint, like Andi Morse of Morse Design did here.

"If there aren't any windows in the basement, opt for light paint colors and tile," she says. "Keeping it light in a space with no windows will help the room feel warm and inviting. Making it too dark could result in a dungeon-like feel."

Get Organized

If your basement leads to an outdoor space, make sure you have a place for guests to kick off their shoes. Priscilla Frost designed this area with sage green built-ins, hooks, and a convenient spot to stow umbrellas. Of course, your basement's storage area doesn't have to be strictly practical. Enter Emily Henderson, who amped up this spot's functional elements with woven baskets, a runner, and a sign that reads, "please remove shoes."

Create a Kids' Corner

What about the little ones in your life? Give them a space to thrive by carving out a little play area in your basement. Vancouver-based design firm Winter Daisy created the ultimate kids zone with a slide, table, and storage baskets filled to the brim with toys. As the perfect finishing touch, three height charts flank the walls, allowing this basement to quite literally grow with the children who spend time there.

Add More Seating

If entertaining is the main objective for your basement, make sure you add plenty of seating—just as New Jersey-based firm Mimi & Hill did here. "Finishing a basement is a fantastic way to add valuable square footage to your home," co-founders Hillary Kaplan and Miriam Silver Verga say. "Recently, we finished a basement, adding zones for relaxing and watching TV, a full bathroom, and a full wet bar."

From an inviting sofa to a booth-like bench, this traditional space proves that more is merrier.

Set Up a Concession Stand

Of course, no home theater setup is complete without a concession stand—although this one is a bit more impressive than your average family movie night candy bar. Designer Michelle Gerson perfected the look with a color-coded snack stash, which pops against the white storage unit.

Give Maximalism a Try

Since your basement is located on its own floor, it's a great place to experiment with scale, color, and texture without interfering with the rest of your home's design. (Translation? It's a maximalist's dream.) If you're looking for a place to start, take a cue from this vibrant setup from Casa Watkins. With a printed rug, lemon-yellow walls, and eye-catching mural, this space is certainly smile-inducing.