Does walking into your basement send chills down your spine? Your basement doesn't need to look like a dungeon out of a horror flick. The right lighting solutions will make the room feel more inviting. Whether you use the basement as a den, game room, or home office, installing the right lighting is crucial.
Keep reading to learn how the right basement lighting options can help you utilize the space better.
Use Basement Lights to Set the Mood
Basements, by design, are dark and dingy. It's up to the homeowner to transform them into something welcoming and functional. Installing the right types of lights for the space’s intended use can help you set the right mood.
Ambient lighting improves visibility in any room, including a dark basement. This type of lighting, also known as general lighting, gently illuminates the entire space. It's a good starting point for any lighting project. Think of ambient lighting as a soft, warm glow that’s easy on the eyes and great for relaxing. Ambient lighting is especially ideal for basement den light fixtures.
Bright, focused task lighting makes it easier to read, write, draw, or study, making task lighting the most important home office lighting idea. Task lighting is also vital for basement workshops. Since task lighting is more concentrated, it helps keep you alert and stimulated. If you have a basement office, task lighting is a must.
Accent lighting is a great option if you want to show off your art collection in a basement gallery. Accent lights illuminate specific focal points in your home. You can use accent lighting to showcase attractive architectural elements or to highlight a collection of artwork, certificates, trophies or photographs.
While most basement lighting designs start with ambient lighting, you can also include task and/or accent lights – there are no rules when it comes to setting the mood in your basement.
All About Basement Light Fixtures
Once you determine which types of lighting you want, it's time to purchase some new fixtures. But which are the best basement lighting options for your home?
Here are some of the most popular basement light fixtures to consider:
- Recessed lights: What do most basements have in common? Low ceilings. If your basement has a suspended ceiling, you can install recessed can lighting. These fixtures provide plenty of ambient light, and they also reduce shadows and glare.
- Track lights: Looking for something easy to install? Track lighting fixtures require very little wall space. Whether you want ambient, task, or accent lights, you can custom-design track fixtures to fit your needs.
- Pendant lights: It's possible to create texture and depth in a basement using pendant lights. These fixtures hang from the ceiling, illuminating concentrated areas. Pendant lights can provide focused task lighting, but you can also use them for accent lighting.
- Industrial lights: Perhaps you have an unfinished basement with concrete walls and exposed beams. If so, industrial fixtures will provide plenty of light while highlighting the bones of your basement. Look for simple metal pendant lights or Edison-style bulbs.
- “Window” lights: Don't have any windows in your basement? You can create a realistic rendition using custom-built fluorescent light fixtures. Paint the wall bright white, install some blinds, and hang fluorescent lights on the wall. Your houseguests won't believe it's not really a window!
Tips for Choosing the Best Basement Lighting Options
There are so many possibilities when it comes to basement lights, but which ones are right for your home? These tips will help you choose the best lighting solutions:
- Need game room lighting ideas? Hang pendant lights over a pool table to illuminate the game. You'll never have to worry about missing a shot because of bad lighting.
- Looking for a cozy place to study? Make sure your workspace has enough warm ambient lighting to calm your mind. But you should also install track or pendant lights to create task lighting. After all, you want to stay focused and productive.
- Hoping to watch movies with your family? A dimly lit basement is the perfect option for movie night. Consider installing recessed can lights on the floor to lead the way back upstairs without disrupting your feature presentation.
- Ready to sell your home? Choose traditional light fixtures that will suit a variety of homebuyers. Refinished basements offer a 75% return on investment (ROI), and adding new lighting will only increase buyer motivation.
Let Mr. Electric Light Your Lower-Level Living Space
Whether you need a well-lit home office, den light fixtures, or an illuminated game room, there are plenty of options available. If a basement remodeling project is on your radar, new lighting fixtures should be on your to-do list. Mr. Electric® provides professional lighting installation services. Let us transform your dark basement into a functional, usable space. Call or contact us online to schedule an appointment with our lighting pros.
