05 December

Clever Ways to Transform Your Basement for Holiday Guests

Are you hosting overnight guests for the holidays? Here’s five basement guest room ideas to transform your basement space from ho-hum to Happy Holidays!

Prepping Your Basement for Holiday Guests

Most home basements are partially below grade, which can mean dampness and water condensation. Unfortunately, damp surfaces are prone to mold and mildew. These ugly growths often give off an unpleasant, musty odor. If you or a family member has allergies, mold and mildew can worsen allergy symptoms. If you see mold or mildew on your basement wall or ceiling, it’s important to eliminate it as soon as possible.

Wet & Forget Indoor Eliminates Mold and Mildew

Wet & Forget Indoor knocks out mold and mildew and destroys mold odors at the source, it doesn’t just mask them. Just spray and wipe!

And, Wet & Forget Indoor inhibits regrowth of mold and mildew so you’ll have time to locate and remedy moisture problems.

How to Apply Wet & Forget Indoor to Basement Walls and Ceilings

• Spray Wet & Forget Indoor on basement surfaces that have mold and mildew growth.
• Wait for at least 10 minutes.
• Wipe with a dry cloth, or allow to air dry.

My basement has a raftered ceiling. How can I cover it?

For an unfinished ceiling, cover it by stapling yards of light, billowy fabric to the rafters to create a soft canopy effect. Add a mini crystal chandelier to complete the look.

Paint the Rafters

If your basement ceiling has exposed wooden beams, paint the beams a light color such as sky blue to make a low-ceiling basement seem larger. Painting wood beams a dark color will make the room seem cozier while painting them a light color will open up the room. Leaving a basement ceiling unfinished will allow you access to utilities in case of needed repairs.

My basement has ugly cinder block walls. Can I paint them?

If your basement walls are dark cinder block or brick, consider painting them white or in a light, warm color. A light, warm yellow will make the room feel cozier.  Consider applying a semi-gloss or gloss paint to help reflect light around the room.

Paint an Accent Wall

Basements usually have few, if any, windows. An accent wall, painted in bright and airy colors adds visual interest to a basement guest room. Use painters tape to mark off a geometric design and use a paint roller to create an interesting focal point.

My basement is dark. How can I add more lighting?

Add String Lights

Most basements have few electrical outlets and ceiling fixtures. To add a welcoming glow to your basement bedroom hang lengths of industrial string lights across the ceiling. String lights bring a bright, festive look to any space. You’ll only need one outlet to light up a large basement. Switch out light bulbs to holiday colors if you wish.

Hang a Mirror

Hang a mirror on the wall opposite the window to add more light to your basement. Or, to get a feel for how the light will reflect in the space, lean the mirror against a wall and shine a flashlight at it. This will give you an idea of how natural light will appear in the room.

Use a Variety of Light Sources

Add several types of lighting to your basement guest room like task lights, table lamps, overhead lighting, uplights, and flameless LED candles – the more light, the better.

What can I do about ugly concrete basement floors?

To add comfort underfoot, add foam floor mats. Foam mats are sold in interlocking squares to create a cushioned floor. For a uniform look, choose light-colored floor mats in one shade. The foam sections are easy to lift, stack, and store for future use.

Add an Area Rug

A plush area rug will add warmth to your basement guest room and anchor the space. Choose a large, cushy rug that will cover most of the basement floor or scatter several smaller ones on the floor.

Painting or Restoring

If you have a little extra time, painting the floor or adding wood flooring are great options for your basement. Bob Vila, home repair expert recommends painting the floor, “If your unfinished basement concrete floor is a blank canvas, add a coat of paint. It can make a huge difference.”

If you are considering permanent wood flooring, a light blonde wood will bring much-needed light to the space.

How can I add privacy to a basement guest room?

Add Wall-to-Floor Curtains

If your basement in an open space, divide it into rooms with a curtain system. If the ceiling won’t accommodate a curtain track, extend taut lengths of picture wire, and then attach café hooks to inexpensive flat sheets to create private spaces. Additionally, if your laundry area is downstairs, use a curtain to hide the washer and dryer.

Add a Bookshelf

A white or light-toned bookshelf will brighten up the basement and function as a room divider. To create privacy, pick a bookshelf with minimum dimensions of 5 ft in height and width. Fill shelves with brightly colored books and décor for visual interest.

Great! Any more basement guest room ideas?

Add a Fireplace

A fireplace adds warmth and light to any space. Install a gas or electric fireplace for overnight guests to enjoy. Or, consider adding a freestanding electric infrared stove to the room.

Add Extra Storage

If your basement doubles as storage space, consider built-in storage solutions to hide clutter. Several stylish storage options are available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and home centers. Install a built-in closet or shelving to store household items out of sight.

These basement guest room ideas will help your overnight guests feel comfortable and welcome this holiday season.

Image by Olger Fallas.