10 Ways to Make a Basement Look Brighter Even without Windows!

How to Make a Basement Look Brighter – 10 Ways to Lighten and Brighten A Basement Even If It’s Windowless!

Discover simple ways to make a basement look brighter even without windows to help you lighten and brighten your dark basement.

Basements can add several feet of living space to your home. However many homes have windowless basements that are dark and dingy and less than appealing.

However, you don’t have to abandon your basement just because it is dark in there or it doesn’t have windows.

In fact, there are ways to lighten and brighten that a dark basement even if it has no windows and make it the perfect additional living space.

Read on to learn how to make a basement look brighter even without windows.

Related Article:

How to Light a Room with No Overhead Lights

10 Ways to Lighten and Brighten a Basement

#1. Paint Your Walls with a Light Color

Painting your walls either white or a light color will help make a basement look lighter and brighter.

While light colored walls won’t chase away all the gloom, they will go a long way in lightening up the overall room and give you the start you need on your overall room lighting plan.

If you choose to not paint the walls white, consider painting your ceiling one shade lighter than your walls to keep the overall color light.

You can add a dark accent here and there, but be careful not to go too dark.

Here are the best paint colors for a basement with no natural light.

#2. Choose Light Wood Flooring

Choosing light wood flooring with a high polish shine will also help to make that basement without windows brighter as well.

Not only will the natural shine of a wood floor give your room more brightness, but also a warmer feel.

You can then put a bright colored area rug in a strategic place to add even more color and brightness to the room.

nuLOOM Corbett Vintage Boho Area Rug, 5′ 3 Calipso Orange 3’3”X5′ Lattice Trellis Area Rug

#3. Use the right Lighting and Layer them

Let’s face it, lighting is going to go a long way in making that windowless basement lighter and brighter.

Layered lighting is going to be very important in making your room bright and cheery.

You may want to start by installing adjustable recessed lighting in your ceiling so you can direct light downward over the entire length and width of your room.

You should also consider placing plinth lights all around the baseboards of the parameter of your room.

These lights will further brighten up your floor area and will reflect off the polished floor, thereby spreading the brightness even further.

In addition to these two types of lighting you will want to layer other lighting as well. These can include floor or standing lights in darker corners or even track lighting over a sitting area to add even more light overall.

Brightech Sky LED Torchiere Super Bright Floor Lamp Miroco LED Floor Lamp with 5 Brightness Levels & 3 Adjustable LED Floor Light

#4. Choose Bright Colored Furniture for Contrast and Added Brightness

In order to help make and keep your basement looking bright, you may want to add touches of bright furniture such as yellows or oranges.

Should you choose more neutral furniture such as beige, then, add in some bright color with accent pillows that have brighter colors in them.

Remember a cheery looking room always looks brighter than one that is not.

Baibu Cotton Embroidery Decor Throw Pillow Cover Home Brilliant Set of 2 Spring Throw Pillow Covers Decor Pillows Covers NATUS WEAVER 2 Pieces Linen Burlap Throw Pillow Cover

#5. Consider Natural Plants

There are many natural plants that don’t require a lot of sunlight and using some of these plants in your basement can certainly brighten up your décor.

There is something about greenery that gives the illusion of being outdoors in the bright sunlight.

If you can’t use natural greenery, then choose some very realistic artificial plants to give that added touch of brightness that a basement without windows may need.

Nearly Natural 6648 4ft. Corn Stalk Dracaena Silk Plant (Real Touch)Nearly Natural, Green 4855 35in. Sansevieria with Black Planter Nearly Natural 6ft. Ficus Artificial Trees, 72in, Green Plant

#6. Don’t Forget the Mirrors

Mirrors not only make a room look larger, but they also reflect light, which makes them an ideal accent to any basement room even those without windows.

Placing a mirror directly across from a light source can reflect the light back into the room.

You can choose a large mirror or a series of small mirrors as part of your décor and use their light reflection capabilities giving these mirrors a dual purpose.

NeuType Full Length Mirror Floor Mirror Hosaken Wall Mount Round Mirror

#7. Consider Shiny Metal Accents

Using shiny metal accents such as planters, lamp bases and candleholders can also help lighten that basement without windows, because like mirrors metal accents also reflect light.

#8. Choose Colorful Pictures

A picture of a sunny day outdoors, or pictures with bright colors will also help your windowless basement look and feel brighter.

Imagine a picture of bright orange Tiger Lilies framed and placed against a white wall, or a picture of lush greenery such as palm trees on a sunny beach.

Even pictures of bright snow capped mountains can give the feeling of brightness to a room.

NWT Framed Canvas Wall Art Canvas Print Wall Art Tiger Lily Canvas Wall Art Print, 12

#9. A Light Colored Bookcase Can Help

While it may not seem like a bookcase can help lighten or brighten a dark basement, it actually can give the room a brighter and more cheerful look.

A light colored bookcase filled with books with light and bright colored spines can really brighten up any space.

#10. Declutter

One of the simplest ways to keep any room looking lighter and brighter is to keep the room free of clutter.

Having stands and tables clear of papers and other objects will result in a room looking cleaner and brighter.

Hopefully, these tips will help you lighten and brighten that windowless basement so you can turn it into a relaxing part of your living space that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.