Deco styles for the basement

It's exciting to think of the decorating possibilities that exist for the basement area of your home. Except that you walk down some stairs to get to it, if it's decorated well, you shouldn't even be aware that you're in a basement!
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The different style
The different uses of a basement
Things to consider

The different style

In decor, there are three distinct looks, each with its own identifying characteristics. Homes look best if all the rooms are decorated in one look throughout.
    The traditional look
    It is comfortable and familiar, might be considered "formal"; the furniture has curved lines, the rooms are painted in easy-to-live-with colurs, the furniture is covered in solid fabrics or woven textured patterns; it has no surprises.
    • Walls
      Paint in a conservative colour or a deep shade and consider mounting chair rail and painting or wallpapering the two parts in different shades of the same colour.

    • Furniture
      Think living room: soft furnishings with rounded edges; wood tables, brass or ceramic lamps with shades.

    • Floors
      Wall-to-wall carpeting, or hardwood or laminate with a hardwood look and topped with area carpets will set the mood.

    • Window treatments
      Louvered wooden shutters or draperies on rods, lined, if privacy is a factor, are the best in a traditional room.

    • Lighting
      Use traditional standard shaded floor and table lamps.

    • Accessories
      Botanical prints, flowered fabric on pillows, cozy throws, white or cream coloured trim, cove mouldings at the ceiling will naturally find their place in a traditional room. Get out those old melamine bookcases, clean them up by adding botanic or floral stencils and use them to store your board games, etc. to match your traditional décor.
    The contemporary look
    It is modern, spartan, sleek, clean-lined, streamlined, shows little ornamentation, and has cool white, blue and grey colours.
    • Lighting
      Decorate with sleek metal fixtures.

    • Floors
      Plain vinyl flooring or subdued low-pile wall-to-wall carpeting are well suited to the contemporary basement.

    • Furniture
      Black leather sofa and chairs, chrome or stainless steel and glass tables, metal shelving and modern prints in black frames on the walls will give you a contemporary look.

    • Window treatments
      Roman shades in plain fabric or metal mini blinds will cover the windows in a modern way. Glass block instead of standard glass can inject a strong contemporary note.

    • Accessories
      Anything metal and chrome, or plain or coloured glass will further the contemporary look; square or rectangular baskets for holding magazines or boxed games add a touch of warmth; modern prints in plain frames punch up the walls. Vases, pots, etc. or blown glass, very chic in the 70's, will look sensational in a contemporary décor. Solid coloured pillows soften sofas.
    The country look
    It is casual, relaxing, has a put-your-feet-up feeling, strong warm colours, checks and plaids and perhaps stencilling.
    • Walls
      Paint using warm colours and consider adding paneling or wainscoting around the lower third of the walls. Give the walls a painted faux-aged treatment, or wallpaper with small repeat patterns or flowers, checks, plaids or dots.

    • LightingLook for old fashion or home made table and floor lamps.

    • Furniture
      Tables made of warm woods and soft furnishings covered with patterned or textured fabrics are the hallmarks of the country look.

    • Floors
      Wall-to-wall carpeting, or hardwood or laminate with a wood look and topped with braided, rag or berber-style rugs look country-ish.

    • Window treatments
      Use louvered wood shutters or colourful printed fabrics gathered on rods for a country look. Use the same fabric for cushion covers.

    • Accessories
      Pump up the country look with baskets, wooden boxes, advertising signs, dried flowers, bowls of colourful dried gourds and anything else that reminds you of a drive through the country. For example, for a rustic décor, bring out your old trunks, open them and cover them with a bedspread... and your favorite magazines and books.
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