Basement of the Week: Kicky Colors and Patterns Promise Fun
Snag a peek at a basement makeover happily inspired by a fabric swatch and done for less than $10,000
"Fun, bright and happy" was the phrase this mother of two young boys used to describe her dream basement makeover. She gave a piece of fabric she loved to interior designer Cathy Zaeske as a starting point. "My client wanted a family-friendly, inviting and stylish space that included a home theater with plenty of seating, a play area, an exercise area, an office, a homework station and revamped storage solutions," Zaeske says. She got to work on a functional layout, did some clever bargain shopping and balanced bold and light colors to brighten up the space.
Basement at a Glance
Who lives here: A mom with twin boys in elementary school
Location: Outside Chicago
Size: 475 square feet
Approximate budget: Just under $10,000
Basement at a Glance
Who lives here: A mom with twin boys in elementary school
Location: Outside Chicago
Size: 475 square feet
Approximate budget: Just under $10,000
"The first thing I did was determine the needs of the family and then developed a floor plan by zone," Zaeske says. She delineated the different zones using rugs, colors, furniture and existing elements like columns. Color and pattern also create flow and continuity.
Confetti Pom Pon Play Fabric
The client had fallen in love with Waverly Pom Pon Play Confetti fabric; it inspired the color palette, which incorporates bold and bright color grounded by black accents.
"The space was finished but overrun with toys and clutter. It was the typical catchall space filled with cast-off furniture and dated electronics," Zaeske says.
Zaeske balanced smooth glossy surfaces with texture. This wavy textured wallpaper contrasts with the straight lines of the mirror.
Paint: Great Blue Green AC 149, Cloverdale Paint; textured wallpaper: Patent Decor by York, PT9404
Paint: Great Blue Green AC 149, Cloverdale Paint; textured wallpaper: Patent Decor by York, PT9404
Typical of a basement, the windows were small and didn't let in much natural light.
"There are only two small windows in the room, so we needed to keep the space as bright as possible," Zaeske says. "The light carpeting was in good shape, so we were able to utilize that but freshen it up with layered area rugs."
To create the illusion of a full window, Zaeske purchased an off-the-shelf woven Roman shade; separated the top valance portion and installed it at ceiling height; hung the bottom portion of the shade beneath the window, simulating a top-down window shade; and framed the windows with her inspiration fabric
"This window is my favorite feature in the room. It gives the impression the room is taller and brighter," Zaeske says.
"There are only two small windows in the room, so we needed to keep the space as bright as possible," Zaeske says. "The light carpeting was in good shape, so we were able to utilize that but freshen it up with layered area rugs."
To create the illusion of a full window, Zaeske purchased an off-the-shelf woven Roman shade; separated the top valance portion and installed it at ceiling height; hung the bottom portion of the shade beneath the window, simulating a top-down window shade; and framed the windows with her inspiration fabric
"This window is my favorite feature in the room. It gives the impression the room is taller and brighter," Zaeske says.
Basements are often full of pesky supports that hold up the house, and ductwork that heats and cools it. Sometimes you have to just work with it.
"We decided to hide the column in plain sight and make it an asset," Zaeske says. "Not only does the column help define the TV area from the rest of the space, but it is a wonderful platform for the client's favorite quotes and sayings; we left space so that she can add to it over time."
Swivel chair: Rebecca, Grandinroad; TV unit: Besta Burs, Ikea; decals: vinyl, Michael's and Hobby Lobby
"We decided to hide the column in plain sight and make it an asset," Zaeske says. "Not only does the column help define the TV area from the rest of the space, but it is a wonderful platform for the client's favorite quotes and sayings; we left space so that she can add to it over time."
Swivel chair: Rebecca, Grandinroad; TV unit: Besta Burs, Ikea; decals: vinyl, Michael's and Hobby Lobby
BEFORE: A hodgepodge of oddly scaled shelves left a lot to be desired.
An Expedit bookcase from Ikea paired with colorful boxes from Pier 1 Imports provides organized toy storage that leaves everything easy to grab.
Painting the handrail and newel post black gave them a crisp look that picks up on the other dark accents in the room.
Ceiling paint: Cloud Nine; trim paint: Chantilly Lace (both by Benjamin Moore)
Painting the handrail and newel post black gave them a crisp look that picks up on the other dark accents in the room.
Ceiling paint: Cloud Nine; trim paint: Chantilly Lace (both by Benjamin Moore)
This homework station provides plenty of storage for electronics and paper files, as well as display space for books and favorite items.
"Ghost Chairs are a good way to add a playful spirit to the room, and they take up no visual weight," Zaeske says.
"Ghost Chairs are a good way to add a playful spirit to the room, and they take up no visual weight," Zaeske says.
"We chose to use a sectional in a kid-friendly fabric and dark color for contrast," Zaeske says. "Balance was very important in this space to keep the palette from looking too cutsey — we balanced warm with cool, bumpy with smooth and dark with light."
Sofa: Milo Sectional, Macy's
Sofa: Milo Sectional, Macy's
Light carpet, walls, trim and accents, along with mirrors and clever lighting, keep the space as bright as if it were aboveground.
"Lights and mirrors are my mantra when designing a basement with low ceilings — it is a great way to expand the walls as well as double the light," Zaeske says.
Chandelier: Portfolio 3-Light, Lowe's; mirror: HomeGoods
Chandelier: Portfolio 3-Light, Lowe's; mirror: HomeGoods
Exercise equipment is tucked behind the living area, where users can still enjoy a view of the TV. A Besta Burs Desk from Ikea serves as a sofa table.
Your turn: Show us your basement redo!
Your turn: Show us your basement redo!