Notes:

• Budget-friendly tips
• Maximizing square footage 
• Decorating with versatility in mind
• Lightening up in the space with light colours and airy fabrics 
• Give the space a purpose 

When it comes to home decor, it tends to be the main levels and outdoor property that gets first dibs on the design budget. But what about your basement area? Specifically, those tough-to-envision small or awkward basement layouts. Rather than let this additional home real estate turn into a makeshift level for storage or a neglected area, the property experts at Royal LePage Connect Realty want to help you transform your basement - on a budget! 

Read on for our top budget-friendly tips for turning your small basement space into a cozy and useful area that the whole family can enjoy!

Lighten up your small basement with an airy palette 

Unless your smaller basement space is fortunate enough to include lots of natural light from windows or a spectacular lighting scheme, odds are on that the area feels darker and less airy than the rest of your home. 

Fortunately, “lightening up” your basement space can be achieved with a few easy and budget-friendly decor tips!

Choose lighter, neutral hues for your paint and decor palette 

Lighter, more neutral hues are always a good idea when you’re looking to freshen up any space in the home. In the basement in particular, the use of light colours is especially important in order to make up for a lack of natural light and a smaller space. 

TheSpruce suggests using paint in shades of white for a brightening effect in basement spaces with zero natural light, and looking to neutrals “pale gray, soft beige, or pastel shades of blue or green” to brighten but also add in some subtle colour. They also suggest keeping the future use of the basement space in mind, to ensure the selected hue doesn’t contrast with the intended overall design schematic. 

Opt for soft, unstructured decor accents to create a cozy setting 

If a living/lounge area is part of your design plan, forgo sharp edges, severe designs and structured shapes when selecting the bigger pieces for your basement. Going with soft, plush and less-structured decor items will create a cozy and relaxed ambiance in your space. 

Give your small basement space a purpose 

Whereas the larger rooms and levels of your home may serve as multi-functional for the whole family by easily transforming into whatever the immediate needs are of the space, a smaller basement will rarely offer that same natural versatility of use. By giving your basement even a loosely-designated purpose, you assign the area practical use and can invest in maximizing its potential with that intended use in mind. 

Idea #1: Designate your small basement as a “kid zone” 

Have you ever felt like your home was missing a designated kid-friendly play area and study space? A “kid zone” basement is a fun idea, will help in confining play-time mess and keep their books and school supplies organized to one area (freeing up room in their bedrooms and keeping the rest of the home clutter-free). Not to mention that making a family project out of it will have your kids invested in the end result for their “kid zone” basement space. 

Idea #2: Create the in-home movie theatre space you’ve always wanted 

Picture this: an all-season cinematic escape where you and the family can settle into some cozy seats with snacks on-demand - without having to leave the comfort of your own home. The best part? Thanks to modern technology, you won’t need to break the bank on big-ticket items like television screens and surround-sound speakers. Nowadays, from affordable home theatre packages to a la carte setups like budget-friendly screens, projector options and compatible space-saving smart speakers, it’s never been easier to turn a home theatre project into a DIY task. 

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Idea #3: Transform your smaller basement into a home office

Whether you WFH (work from home) regularly, or your work requires that you tackle projects between office hours, a home office is always a welcome idea. With a work-friendly setup, this space allows for the versatility of catering to all kinds of productivity-related needs. From traditional office-style tasks to crafting or studies, you can easily - and affordably! - design a designated home office space to your families’ personal specifications and needs. 

Modern design furniture options like a standing desk allow for comfortable and multi-function use, while also catering to the work/study preferences of everyone in the family. Get creative with this space and poll the family on what their “work space” wish list might include. Suggest fun add-ons to get everyone excited

For example, why not incorporate a  “work-break” station? It could include a small nook designated for creatively hitting reset - think: soft-style dart boards, a mini-fridge with water and fresh juices and a plush lounge chair to settle into during break time.

You might also want to consider creatively accenting a wall or two in this space. Creative accents and design styles are proven to stir up and amplify creativity, not to mention adding some visual interest to the space and giving your home office a trendy design angle. We love the accent wall suggestions from AndorWillow. 

Decorating your smaller basement to enhance its best features and assigning it a practical use so it doesn’t become wasted space in your home will also add overall value to your property. So for the benefit of your family’s immediate use and enjoyment, as well as the potential for increased property value down the road, consider these tips for your smaller (but full of potential!) basement space. 

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Royal LePage Connect  Realty is an independently-owned Royal LePage franchise, with multiple locations across the GTA to serve you.