If you’re looking to avoid the cliché of a dark, drab space as you tackle your basement remodeling project, our team at Neighbors Home Remodeling has a few tips for you. We’re expert remodelers, and we’ve helped plenty of clients turn their basements from dim and dreary to bright and airy. Read on to learn a few of our favorite tips for ensuring your basement has ample lighting.
- Optimize Natural Light – Many people think that there’s no way to get good natural light in their basement, but if you’re doing a basement remodeling project, you actually have several options. Using French doors or installing windows is a great way to maximize light in walk-out basements, but if you don’t have a walk-out basement, you can also opt for window wells to let in some sunlight.
- Plan for Ample Ambient Lighting – We often use ambient lighting to light up large spaces, generally with overhead fixtures like pot lights, flush-mounted lights, ceiling fan/light combos, or chandeliers. Make sure you choose an option that casts light to all corners of your basement.
- Boost Functionality With Task Lighting – As the name suggests, task lighting is placed strategically to help you accomplish a particular task. Things like desk lamps for writing, table lamps or wall sconces for reading, and under-cabinet lighting will help ensure you have plenty of light to see as you use specific areas of your basement.
- Draw Attention With Accent Lighting – If you have a cool feature included in your basement remodeling plans, accent lighting can help ensure it gets plenty of time in the spotlight. A good general rule to follow is that accent lighting should produce about three times as much light as the ambient lighting in a room to draw attention to whatever it’s highlighting.
- Layer Your Lights – Light layering combines ambient, task, and accent lighting to ensure a room has ample light coverage. Make sure you include at least two lighting options in your basement remodeling plans if you can’t fit all three.