Does A Home Basement Always Have To Feel Dark & Stifling?

It’s fair to say that a basement room is not always what we would consider “the main feature” of the household. Even if you use it as a lovely media room or hobbyist space, you’re still unlikely to reuse the area as a master bedroom any time soon. It’s a fantastic area to have, but not the main event, so to speak.

But that doesn’t mean a basement room can’t be a wonderful investment to make. In fact, if you do it right, you can potentially use it as a comfortable bedroom people are proud to occupy and feel at home in. Maybe you’ll rent a large space like that to a tenant, and convert it to a studio apartment for an older child who may be working but not ready to move out yet. 

Either way, you are likely wondering – does my home basement always have to feel dark and stifling? Surely, even rooms underground can be open, air, and welcoming? We believe so. Here’s how to do it:

Custom Windows & Window Wells

Standard basement windows tend to be small and placed high on the walls,bvious reasons (there’s usually only a little above-clearance from the ground for this to work), but installing larger egress windows with deep window wells makes a massive difference here. It can even provide an exit too, which is great for fire safety. 

If you implement custom windows you can also make the space look refined and elegant. That’s because appropriately opened window wells will catch natural light and bounce it into the room throughout the day. The wells themselves can be lined with reflective material or painted white to maximize this effect too, which helps in the darker months.

Some homeowners even landscape their window wells with small plants or decorative stones, which allows them to seem more like miniature garden features that add character to the room. Just make absolutely certain that the wells have proper drainage and cover to keep out leaves and rain.

Independent & Fire Exits

As we alluded to above, a separate entrance to your basement should be more than just natural light, even if that gives the space its own identity and makes it feel like a proper living area rather than just storage. 

A well-designed entrance can include a small covered porch or landing area that protects from rain and snow but can open up, perhaps with a hatch, for exiting when needed. This might be part of your window well or parallel to it.

As for the main internal entrance, the stairs should be wide enough for furniture and include proper lighting and handrails. Some people add small gardens or seating areas near the exterior entrance to make it more welcoming as we discussed above, and this is a good place to start.

Ventilation & Airflow

Of course, the most common worry people have before moving into a basement is how dingy, dark, and stifling the air is going to feel. It’s clear that fresh air makes any space feel more livable, but fresh air and underground living don’t exactly seem simpatico. Just ask the moles. In a basement, this means thinking beyond just opening a window now and then. 

As for the fix, a good ventilation system will keep that air moving even when windows are closed. This could mean installing a heat recovery ventilator that brings in fresh air while removing stale air, or adding extra return vents to your existing HVAC system, which is sure to be suitable enough. 

The correct placement of fans can help move air between rooms and prevent any areas from feeling stuffy even if you have the space divided into two. Good ventilation also helps control moisture levels, which is crucial for preventing the typical basement mustiness and dampness that can occur otherwise. If the windows have ventilation locks, also be sure to point those out to any guests or relatives living here.

Lighting

We’ve resolved the issue about airflow and ventilation, but of course, a dark room that feels stifling isn’t going to particularly be helped even if the air is breathable. 

For that reason, it’s essential to maximize your natural light from windows, but you need a thoughtful artificial lighting plan too. For instance, you should think about mixing different types of lights, including recessed ceiling lights for general illumination, wall sconces for ambiance, and task lighting for specific areas like a kitchen desktop space or even desks and bedside tables. 

Track lighting works well because you can adjust it to highlight different areas or centre it around the artwork. The color temperature of the bulbs matters too, perhaps even more than upstairs, as warmer light tends to feel more welcoming in a basement setting but they must be bright enough to stop darker shadows. It’s good to create layers of light that you can adjust throughout the day depending on your need. Experiment a little. There’s an advantage here to help you, as for the most part the sun is going to shine in the same places in an underground basement, so you don’t have to account for a million angles at once, and it can sometimes feel that way in other rooms.

Insulation

Most people understand that insulation helps them seal heating both in and out of the property depending on the season. But it also helps to control noise, moisture problems and makes the space feel more solid and permanent. That’s also because basement walls need proper vapor barriers and insulation that can handle some moisture without degrading over time. 

Moreover, the ceiling needs sound insulation if the basement will be used as a bedroom, as nobody wants to hear every footstep from upstairs. Even insulating hot water pipes helps prevent heat loss and reduces noise from running water, especially if the water heater or boiler is located down here.

With this advice, we hope you can continue to enjoy the best home basement for your needs, potentially allowing you to make this space feel just as open, airy and welcoming as any other in the household.