Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Supplement existing installed light fixtures with two or three different types of lamps in each room to increase brightness and emulate nature's light patterns. Illuminate upper walls and the ceiling with floor-standing torchiere lamps. Enhance seating areas with table lamps and floor lamps with full-spectrum light bulbs. Set can lights on the floor, tucked in corners and behind furniture edges, with the lenses directed upward to bathe walls and dark areas in ambient lighting.
2

Paint the walls light, neutral colors to gently reflect the nominal light that comes in through small windows and avoid the uncomfortable institutional feel of all-white walls traditionally used in basement settings. In a particularly dark room, cover one or more walls with a brilliant yellow to liven up the area with color. If rental restrictions prevent painting, hang a series of floor-to-ceiling light-colored fabric or lightweight wood panels on a wall to mimic the effect of paint.
3

Arrange a few good-quality, modest-sized, pieces of furniture in each room. Promote a sense of spaciousness in rooms that are already partially underground, instead of overcrowding with bulky, or too much, furniture. Stick with pieces that are similar in color for a monochromatic design theme, accented with bold color accessories, to maintain an open, airy ambiance.
4

Dress basement windows with floor-to-ceiling curtains that emphasize the vertical dimensions of the room. Increase the visual impact of windows, making them appear larger, by expanding the curtain coverage one to two feet on either side of the window. Choose fabric that complements the room's color scheme, yet stands out, to draw the eye upward and create the perception of higher ceilings than typically exist in a basement apartment.
5

Scatter small throw rugs and arrange area rugs in seating areas and at bedsides for barefoot comfort and a warm ambiance. Because of their below-grade construction, and the damp that comes with it, basement apartments often have wood, tile or vinyl floor coverings rather than carpet. Soften the visual -- and physical -- impact of the hard surfaces with rugs in warm, mellow colors and patterns that coordinate with each room's décor.
6

Accessorize your basement apartment sparingly to maintain a sense of openness. Arrange a few bright colored paintings on the wall, interspersed with mirrors that reflect the room's light, for example. Display small items, memorabilia and books in a single, attractive shelving unit, reserving the other flat surfaces in the room for one or two outstanding decorative pieces.