Add Finishing Touches to Your Basement
Your basement is built, furnished, and functional - now it's time to make it beautiful. The finishing touches transform a finished basement into a space that feels intentionally designed, personally yours, and genuinely inviting.
Quick Summary
Time needed
4-6 hours
Cost
$300-$1,000
Difficulty
Easy
Why Finishing Touches Transform a Space
The difference between "finished construction" and "finished home" is in the details. A basement with perfect walls, flooring, and furniture but no personality feels cold and showroom-like. The finishing touches make it yours.
Design Truth: Professional designers know that the last 10% of styling effort creates 50% of the impact. These small touches - artwork, plants, books, personal items - are what guests remember and what makes you actually want to spend time in the space.
Don't rush this step. You've invested months and significant money finishing your basement. Taking time to thoughtfully decorate ensures that investment pays off in daily enjoyment and home value.
Hanging Artwork Properly
Artwork adds personality, fills empty walls, and creates focal points. Poor placement makes even beautiful art look wrong.
Artwork Hanging Guidelines:
- •Standard height: Center of artwork at 57-60 inches from floor (museum standard)
- •Above furniture: Hang 6-8 inches above sofa or console
- •Seated viewing: In basement lounging areas, center at 48-52 inches (seated eye level)
- •Gallery walls: Treat the group as one piece, center the entire arrangement at eye level
Pro Tip: Before drilling holes, trace artwork on kraft paper, tape to wall, and step back to evaluate placement. This prevents multiple holes from repositioning. For gallery walls, arrange on floor first, then transfer the layout to wall.
Artwork Ideas for Basements:
- • Large-scale prints or canvas art make statement on big walls
- • Family photos in coordinated frames create personal gallery
- • Movie posters work great in media room basements
- • Abstract or colorful art brightens dim spaces
- • Floating shelves allow easy rotation of artwork and objects
Bringing Plants Into Your Basement
Plants add life, improve air quality, and soften hard surfaces. The challenge is finding plants that tolerate low light.
Best Low-Light Plants
- • Pothos: Trailing vines, nearly indestructible
- • Snake Plant: Upright, tolerates neglect
- • ZZ Plant: Glossy leaves, thrives on minimal care
- • Peace Lily: White blooms even in low light
- • Philodendron: Climbing or trailing varieties
- • Chinese Evergreen: Colorful variegated leaves
Basement Plant Care Tips
- • Place near windows or egress wells if possible
- • Add grow lights for darkest corners
- • Water less frequently - cooler temps slow growth
- • Monitor for mold in overly humid conditions
- • Rotate plants monthly for even growth
- • Elevate pots on stands for drainage
Pro Tip: Install full-spectrum LED grow lights above plant stands or shelves. Modern grow lights look like regular light fixtures but provide the spectrum plants need. This lets you put plants anywhere, even in windowless basements.
Styling Shelves and Surfaces
Bare shelves look unfinished. Overcrowded shelves look cluttered. The goal is curated, intentional styling.
Shelf Styling Principles:
- •Rule of thirds: Group items in threes for visual interest
- •Vary heights: Tall, medium, small creates rhythm
- •Layer depth: Place larger items back, smaller items forward
- •Mix textures: Books, ceramics, plants, baskets, frames
- •Leave breathing room: Don't fill every inch - negative space matters
What to Display on Shelves:
Mix functional and decorative items:
- • Books arranged vertically and horizontally
- • Framed family photos in varied sizes
- • Decorative boxes or baskets for hidden storage
- • Small plants or succulents in interesting pots
- • Collectibles or items that tell your story
- • Candles or decorative objects
- • Travel souvenirs or meaningful mementos
Pro Tip: Style shelves in "zones" - each shelf section tells a mini story with 2-5 related items. Step back frequently to assess balance. If something looks wrong, it probably is. Trust your eye and adjust until it feels right.
Layering Textiles for Warmth
Basements tend to feel cold and hard - literally and aesthetically. Soft textiles counteract this and make spaces inviting.
Throw Blankets
Drape chunky knit or plush throws over sofa arms or backs. Keep extras in baskets for chilly movie nights. Choose warm colors (rust, burgundy, camel) to counter cool basement tones.
Decorative Pillows
Mix sizes (22", 20", 18") and textures (velvet, linen, cable knit). Use the sofa color as neutral base, add 2-3 accent colors. Odd numbers (3, 5, 7 pillows) look more natural than even numbers.
Window Treatments
Curtains add softness and warmth even when functional. Choose fabric that puddles slightly on floor for luxurious look. Layering sheers under heavier curtains provides light control and visual interest.
Additional Soft Touches
Upholstered ottoman, fabric wall hanging, padded headboard in bedroom, or fabric storage bins all contribute to the cozy factor basements need.
Adding Personal Touches
Generic basement decor from a catalog looks fine. Personal touches make it feel like YOUR basement.
Ideas for Personalization:
- •Display hobbies or collections (guitars, vinyl records, sports memorabilia)
- •Create gallery wall of family photos from trips and milestones
- •Incorporate kids' artwork in frames (rotate seasonally)
- •Install floating shelves for trophy or award display
- •Frame meaningful quotes, song lyrics, or family mottos
- •Show off travel souvenirs and maps of places you've been
- •Create themed decor based on room use (movie room, game room, gym)
Pro Tip: The items that make you smile when you see them are exactly what should be displayed. If you love it but it doesn't match your "design aesthetic," display it anyway. Personality trumps perfection.
Professional Decorating Tips
Pro Tip: Shop your own home first. Items from other rooms that you never use might be perfect for basement decor. Repurposing saves money and ensures items work with your style.
Pro Tip: Use mirrors strategically to reflect light and make space feel larger. Position opposite windows or light sources for maximum effect. Large mirrors have more impact than small ones.
Pro Tip: Don't decorate all at once. Live in the space for a few weeks, note what's missing or what annoys you, then add purposefully. This prevents over-buying and ensures every item earns its place.
Pro Tip: Quality over quantity. Five beautiful, well-chosen pieces create more impact than twenty mediocre items. Invest in a few statement pieces rather than cluttering with cheap decor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plants grow well in basements with limited light?
Low-light tolerant plants perfect for basements include: pothos (extremely forgiving), snake plants (nearly indestructible), ZZ plants (thrive on neglect), peace lilies (pretty blooms even in shade), Chinese evergreen, cast iron plant, and philodendrons. These plants can survive with minimal natural light, especially with supplemental grow lights. Avoid high-light plants like succulents, fiddle leaf figs, or herbs. For darkest corners, add full-spectrum LED grow lights to keep any plant healthy.
How do I hang pictures on basement concrete walls?
For finished basement walls with drywall over concrete: use standard picture hangers, nails, or screws into the drywall. For heavier items, locate studs for secure hanging. For exposed concrete walls: use concrete screws (Tapcon), masonry anchors, or adhesive picture hanging strips rated for heavy weight. Drill pilot holes with a masonry bit before inserting concrete screws. For rental situations or temporary hanging, Command Picture Hanging Strips work on many finished basement walls.
How can I make my basement feel less like a basement?
Combat basement feeling with these strategies: maximize lighting with layered light sources and warm-toned bulbs, use light paint colors on walls and ceilings, add mirrors to reflect light and create depth, incorporate warm textures (soft rugs, plush throws, fabric), bring in living plants to add life, use warm color accents (yellows, oranges, warm grays), hang artwork and family photos like any other room, ensure proper ventilation to prevent musty smell, maintain comfortable temperature, and add personal touches that reflect your family's style. The key is treating it like any other room rather than a 'basement.'
Should I use real or artificial plants in my basement?
Real plants are better if you have any natural light and are willing to maintain them. They improve air quality, add authentic life, and thrive in basement humidity. Low-light plants like pothos or snake plants require minimal care. High-quality artificial plants work well in completely dark areas, maintenance-free situations, or if you struggle with plant care. Modern artificial plants look remarkably realistic. Consider a mix - real plants near windows or under grow lights, high-quality faux plants in darker corners. Avoid cheap, obviously fake plants that cheapen the space.
Ready for the Final Step?
Your basement is complete - construction finished, inspection passed, furnished, and decorated. Time to celebrate this incredible achievement and start enjoying your new space!