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Paint color for dark, dark basement

13 years ago

I know there are lots of threads about basement paint colors. My question is a bit different, as I am asking about a space better described as a cellar. It has no outside egress, and this section only has 2 windows that get morning sun only. This is not an area that would be suitable for a family room, with a sofa and a TV. My 2 young-teen-aged sons would like to use this space for music (drums, guitars, etc.), foosball, and wrestling.

The want a "cool color, not like the rest of the house" (I don't think that's a compliment). I would just let them pick any color - because I don't really care, as long as they are happy - but of course they can't agree. They are interested in very dark colors, like brick red?

We have purchased some darkish grey foam-mat type flooring. The low ceiling is popcorny-white with florescent-tube lighting (Lovely, I know).

What do dark spaces look like with very dark paint? Any suggestions? Pictures?

Thanks very very much!

Maureen

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Comments (7)

WendyB 5A/MA
13 years ago
a cave!

maybe a medium grey will satisfy them. They probably just want it to not be feminine at all. grey and black seem like good teenage boy colors. Is there one wall that could be very dark accent wall (a very dark grey) with the rest of the space a more medium toned grey? (as light as you can convince them)

It could be a really cool teenage space. I can picture white skull and crossbones designs on the walls - LOL!
msrose
13 years ago
Hey, at least they didn't say black. I like wendy's idea of painting it gray and then they could add some black and red accents. Of course, if they're set on red, they're only going to be home for a few more years and it's only paint.

Laurie
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teacats
13 years ago
AH!

"Club Cave" -- a hot music venue design .....

How about breaking the wall space up into sections -- and paint one wall in black -- and then add painted squares of red/orange to a white wall or two?

Add basic white build-it-yourself shelving from Target or Walmart to hold their "stuff" And the bright white will help to lighten up the area too!

Add several cork bulletin boards to each wall -- to display their posters etc. AND help to muffle noise too!

Check out Craigs List listings in your area for a couple of chairs. Or add beanbag chairs!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage
sergeantcuff
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the encouragement for the "Cave"! And you're right, it's only paint! We are looking at SW's "Cajun Red", sorta a paprika color. The on-line paint visualizer makes it look purply, but those things usually aren't very helpful.

Jan - those are great ideas. I am thinking about what to do with ancient stairs. The treads are now painted hunter green.
pps7
13 years ago
I think the brick red would look very nice. How about painting the ceiling a grey? The key to dark basements is lighting. Is there anything that can be done with the fluroscent tube lighting? Nothing fancy, maybe replace it with a few edison bulbs?
sergeantcuff
Original Author
13 years ago
Pps7 - that is a good idea. A light grey? I have leftover slate-colored porch paint I could put on the steps, maybe even paint a runner on them?

The tube lights can go. The boys were thinking about some wild-looking track lighting.
teacats
13 years ago
Lowes has many versions of track lighting!

Maybe one of the white ones or perhaps the silver ones?

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Here is a link that might be useful: Lowes.com -- track lighting

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