I can see why they like it, it's perfect for the space. Honestly, I think it looks fine. Maybe brighten it up with some great pillows.

As for the walls, I like the color, I think darker in a basement wouldn't be good. Maybe paint the trim and wood an off white?

May I ask? What is the tree??? :)

I think your basement looks like a 100% normal boy's rec room (better than many) and I don't think you have to change anything. I can't believe I am saying this, but I'd even leave the pine paneling and trim alone. Maybe I am projecting my own reluctance to do this kind of work, so take this with a grain of salt, but pine paneling is a pain to paint so I would avoid it unless it really really bothers you (if you do it, make sure you have the right kind of primer so the knots don't bleed through). The pine wainscoting in my basement stairwell looks quite nice against SW Echelon Ecru, which might be a touch darker than your walls (hard to tell). Anyway, your pine paneling looks retro to me, kinda cool (in a basement) and it will stand up well to having trucks and stuff rammed against it. Oh wait, maybe that's only my kids. lol.

There is also something to be said for letting the guys have their own space, decorated the way they want. At least that's what my DH says. Not just a man-cave, but if they are the main users and they are happy with it and it isn't actually repulsive, then probably it's OK. (Of course my DS wants his room painted lime green, so we do have to draw SOME lines sometimes. haha.)

I couldn't see your photo as I was reading your post so I was expecting the worst. When I scrolled down, I was pleasantly surprised! There are alot of these "beasts" taking up prime real estate in the people's living rooms... at least yours is in the basement! Your husband and the boys will have so much fun hanging out together in their own "man cave" that I bet you'll grow to like it... or at least what it represents for them!

I think it looks fine. I think you should let it be more their space because they have let you have free roam over the rest of the house.

Its good to hear that you guys think it looks okay in there! I just go back and forth on the walls and painting them - I feel like the black sectional just pops out at you with the beige carpeting and walls. I draped that quilt over the back of it just to break up all the black. I just kind of want it to look a little more pulled-together down there.

@northcarolina - I too have heard of the difficulty of painting pine panelling! I almost wish I hated it so it would be worth the work, but I don't really hate it. However, I don't really love it either so that's why I'm stuck trying to decide what to do! So you really think it looks okay?

@ellendi - Oh, the tree. That is my 4-year-old's "umbrella tree." This past holiday season the home improvement store Menards was displaying it in their holiday section and my son was obsessed with this tree - it was the only thing on his Christmas list. Seriously. Not surprisingly, there must not be a huge demand for these trees in Wisconsin because it went 70% off and we got it for him for Christmas - he loves it! We think maybe it is a big seller in the warmer states? :)

I think it's a great start.
Here are some things to consider adding to the space.

Ottoman style coffee table. Something that you can sit on while gaming, lightweight enough to move out of the way for active Wii, and easy to clean. Consider everything from the inexpensive cubes at Target that have storage in them (set of 4), to old trunks, to the kid's table in the space now.

gotta move the tree. too distracting.

The framed jersey would add more to the space if you moved it so it was over the section of the sofa on that wall. if your kids are too active for that to be a good idea, then you get a pass there. In that case. something else, like a bulletin board for ticket stubs and programs might be nice.

Adding a sofa table and some low stools behind the outstretched side of the sofa would add extra seating, and be nice for snack serving. Adding a lamp on it would let the overhead lights be out ,and still some light in the space.

I think a darker wall color would be nice if you keep the wood as it is. But not really necessary. If it doesn't NEED painting, then I would probably put it off.

Another who thinks it looks fine....mostly.
You want to make it more homey....get a hard knocks sort of coffee table or a large ottoman and put that rug around the corner where the toys and coloring table are. And for crying out loud get some lamps....nothing makes a room less homey than nothing but overhead can or spot lights. Change out the switching if you can so the kids have their lights for play but every time you flip the light switch it doesn't look like the lounge of a mental hospital (:-D )
Oh yeah....and ditch the quilt...looks like you are trying to hide something. Instead opt for a soft knit sort of "blankie" type of throw...or a couple of them.
The "beast" is fine...embrace it for all it's "beastliness" and concentrate on making the room homey in other ways.
Linda c

I think you need a Nagel print in there. :)

Just kidding. It's not awful--but bachelor pad (plus toys) isn't a bad description. I think the paneling is more the problem than the sectional. You could certainly girl it up a bit with a nice beadboard instead of the diagonal business, or go all the way woodsy and stain the paneling dark and do the walls forest green.

You have a very smart child. Look at all the space underneath that tree for presents!

I think the room is fine - perfect for the male inhabitants. Better than the pale blue pine paneling we had in our basement rec room. We didn't want to paint it but when we tried to take it down found out that it had been glued to the drywall.

You could make it really manly if you desired - think gentleman's club, dark leather, dark green walls, fox hunting prints on the wall ....the whole image. But I don't think that would make the kids comfortable. And if it was too nice you'd worry about collateral damge from toys and friends and sleepovers. Has your DH mentioned anything he'd like - I can see a pool table in your future.

I like your idea of painting the walls a green or greenish grey. I love green and brown together. How do the men in your life feel about the wood paneling? Could you paint it or stain it darker? It is a very nice space as is. especially for A boys play room!!

Your space is so much nicer than ours was. We had DARK,stained wood wanes cotting all around our basement. We tried painting the worst of it years ago and it wasn't quite the right color. Finally this year we re-did the entire space. We painted all the paneling white, added a nice chair rail and wide floorboard. The upper part we put in a green. It is so much better!! I absolutely would not pick a color that reads darker down there. Your space looks wonderful for its purpose. If I were needing to entertain down there I would be more concerned with the toy area than the sectional or wood. From what I hear on HGTV we aren't allowed to have kids and they certainly aren't allowed to have "stuff". IT DRIVES ME INSANE!! On the slant, light color,beautiful wood; why cover it up with paint? Given your time in life the room is working well, and looks good too!!

Totally digging the tree!

I would "Embrace the Beast" -- and paint the pine elements in the whole room in a satin black.

Keep the top half of the walls in fresh white.

Yes -- another vote for a red leather ottoman.

And black tables and lamps.

Also -- consider adding those put-together-yourself black bookshelf on each side of the TV.

Take the wonderful quilt and hang it on the main wall where the framed jersey is hung now .... move the jersey to the area to the far left of the TV.

I like it...I really do. Is the sectional dark brown or black?

In the long run I would plan on moving the tree and the rug back behind the sofa where there is an activity/play area, and get a new large rug to define and separate the TV area from the activity area. The activity area may change to ping-pong/pool/foosball or even a bar one day, keep growing in mind.
Even in the short term, the rug will define and "adult" the TV-watching area, you can put the train rug on top, till the boys grow.

With luck you will find a rug that marries the paneling and the sofa, then I would paint the walls one of the darker colors in the rug.

I believe the sectional looks very good in the area and also that the paneling is lovely (your guys probably love the paneling, too).

Why not treat the sectional as a focal point in the room? Place a large, colorful ottoman in front of the sofa and put a throw on the ottoman and/or maybe one over the sofa arm that is on the wall. At the end near the TV, place an end table in a dark color and put a lamp on the table. Consider placing an arc floor lamp at the back corner of the sofa for better lighting; there is a link below to show what I am talking about. If a large, colorful ottoman is placed in front of the sofa, I don't know that I would also put a rug there.

I agree with others that the quilt needs to be removed from the sofa, and the rug and umbrella tree need to be moved to the boys' play area. You are already well on your way into dividing the space into two distinct areas - the adult space from the sofa forward and the boys' activity/play area from the sofa backward.

Also think about gathering all of the baseball pictures/jersey/etc., and making two collages in the adult area - one on the TV wall, the other on the sofa wall; may even place a picture on the end table with the lamp. You could draw from any of the baseball related items to select an accent color; but also ask your husband for his idea(s) as the accent color for this adult area of the room.

Here is a link that might be useful: Arc Lamp

I like your room also. I would not paint anything. I would move the tree to behind the couch..sort of in the corner and put a string of tiny lcd lights on it. Bet your son would like it. Then I would put bookcases on either side of the TV. I would get a black end table with lamp for the corner of the "beast", and a sofa table to match for behind the "beast". A matching table lamp on that table. If you need more toy/blanket storage, then I would get a storage trunk for a coffee table with a pretty throw over it. Center the framed shirt more toward the TV corner.

I love the room! And oh, what I wouldn't have given for a room like this when our two sons were small. Your husband and sons can be together and enjoying each other and the space you've created for them. I wouldn't change a thing, certainly not the wall color. It's light and warm enough to be cheerful and neutral enough to be the perfect background for all the "stuff" that's there. And, when it comes to most men and boys, it's really about the "stuff", isn't it. You've done a great job of putting meaningful things on the walls and arranging the furniture.

Love the story of the tree, and I'd keep it where it is, so that it's out of the way. If you think your boys are active now, just wait until they're 8 and 10. I could tell you stories...

And I like the quilt on the sofa, first, it's good-looking and unusual, and second, it does what you want, it hides a wall of black, especially from the rear. And it goes with the wall art!

I agree about perhaps adding some lighting, like the arc lamp. Something very stable, against the wall, behind the sofa - where it won't be trampled, since boys will be boys!

Thanks so much for the advice, I am loving the suggestions! I ran upstairs and repurposed some tables and lamps to see how they would look in the space - you're right, the lighting made a HUGE difference. Can't believe I didn't think of that myself. I put a lamp on a sofa table behind the sectional and I am planning on getting a couple of other lamps and tables. I think I have a rug that will anchor the space as well, and I've got an ottoman on my list as well.

I think I'm going to just go with the pine panelling, but see if I could maybe darken it up a bit. My husband likes the panelling and the Northwoods vibe. Loved the suggestion about making it men's clubbish with darker panelling and green walls in the future - I am totally okay with that, just need to make sure we don't drift over to bachelor-pad territory.

Also taking the advice of moving the baseball memorabilia together - I think that will make a bigger impact than having them sprinkled about the room.

I also love the ideas about making sure the adult and kid areas stay separate - they are already talking about getting an air hockey table down here!

I know, isn't it funny how on HGTV when they design for kids they just stuff all their things into little storage cube ottomans? Seriously, do their kids not have GeoTrax and light sabers and Hot Wheels tracks??

What a great space! Next time you post a pic can we see the tree turned on?

I agree with keeping the space light and leaving the wood paneling. Why make more work for yourself? If you paint once, you'll have to repaint at some point. The slanted style of the wood will not lend itself to anything remotely cottagey, and is fine the way it is. The leather beast is not something I'd want in my front parlor, but for a casual space for the kids and man, it's perfect. The leather is almost indestructable, and will probably get better with age, and you can wipe it off with a damp cloth if there is a spill.

I would also get a large ottoman or group of smaller ones to made another surface for feet, games, and additional seating, which won't cause any injuries if the boys wrestle. No sharp corners. The suggestion for a larger area rug in front of it is a good one, you can even get an indoor/outdoor rug that can be easily cleaned.

As much as we want to decorate in styles that we love, you still have to think about function, and it seems to me that this space works very well for your family's needs. The quilt on the wall behind the sofa is a great idea and will put some color where it will draw the eye up.

If you're still in the house when the boys are older and no longer use it much, you can get rid of the beast if you still dislike it, and made a space a craft/hobby room or home office if you need one. Or put in a ping pong table and get your friends over there.

I am betting the "beast" will make a trip to college....perhaps in 2 pieces and in 2 different rooms!

Fabulous family space and the sectional fits perfectly. I'd find a bunch of fun pillows to compliment the pretty quilt and add the lighting and tables you shopped for around the house. Make sure you show us the outcome! :)

Here's what I would do...

Move the TV into the corner of the room.

Move the sofa one-quarter turn so that one arm of it is against the wall with the pass-through.

This will get "the beast" out of the main traffic pattern, and out of the visual center of the room, hide the ugliness of the back of the TV, and make TV-watching easier for anyone on the couch.

A bunch of black-framed art-stuff on the walls will spread the "blackness" around a bit...

Sorry didn't read everything, but I'm another who thinks it looks fine. I wouldn't want to paint the paneling because it would be so hard to go back and I think it looks nice (I like the angle.)

I like the suggestion to move the rug to the toy area. Get a coffee table or giant ottoman and a really cool rug for that space (maybe a bright red). Fold the quilts and keep them in a large good looking basket or leather box next to the couch and if you can, get a couple more of those cool pillows.

Now for the walls... it would be great to unify all your pictures by using the same color frames and mats. If you had all black frames and cream or white color mats, the frames would pull in the black of the couch and the white mats would help your cool pictures, pennants, etc. pop. (Or I see one picture that looks like it has a moss green mat - that's pretty too and you could use that color throughout.) Something as simple as painting the frames to match could help pull everything together. Love the framed jersey, too -- that's great as is and I agree with the poster who said to move it over if you can.

About the tree -- my two cents is that I love the story behind it and a rec room is the perfect place to have something that your kid(s) love. I'd be tempted to really play up the tree by putting a small camp lounge chair under it so he can sit in the "shade", maybe add a plastic flamingo or hang some ornaments or baseballs from it (looks like you have at least one b-ball fan)... whatever your kids think would be fun there. Maybe hang baseball hats if they have a collection. It's not your living room, it's the man cave, so embrace the fun! (Part of my finished basement is 'decorated' with a drum set, electric bass, amp... etc etc.)

Agree whole heartedly with chicagoans - it's "Teenage Man Cave", treat it as such, "play it up", Oh crap! Am I really repeating my first AD - ick! (said in my best Gilda Radner's voice:) Never mind.

I skimmed the responses but just wanted to say I think it's a great room. The furniture looks comfy. I like the idea of putting all the sports stuff together. I also wouldn't paint the paneling. If anything, maybe darken it. Like the ottoman idea and a large rug to anchor the space.

I agree with a lot posted. Lose the quilt... it is not a girly space... get an ottoman, preferably a soft one, stain the paneling for a less 80s feel.... and keep the sectional. It is perfect for a comfortable family space. Lots of chances to flop and hang out.
I'd suggest painting the upper wall in a darker but brighter color. If the color were vibrant it would feel less cave like than if you went real dark, although, for a tv watching area, a real dark color makes it perfect for movies and such. If the ceiling is not white (it reads the same color as the wall on my monitor), I'd paint it white so to offset the darker walls.