Turn your downstairs space into a cozy retreat with these fresh and inviting best basement paint colors.
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The Best Basement Paint Colors to Bring the Downstairs to Life
Picking the right wall paint color for any room can be a daunting task, and oftentimes the basement is the last part of a home to receive attention in terms of design and color. But there’s no reason to pick a drab, neutral paint shade when you can add depth and dimension to your downstairs walls.
Whether you’re remodeling the basement with furniture, paint and new flooring or just starting to finish your basement with framing and insulating, the hue on the walls will be the first thing people see when they enter the space.
Designating purpose to the downstairs area is key, too. Once you’ve determined how the basement will be used decorating and painting will be more focused and less challenging. If your basement functions as a kids’ playroom or spare bedroom, you’ll likely want to go with a warm, light color. However, if your basement is being used as a bar area for entertainment, you might want to go with a deep, rich color (like Onyx by Benjamin Moore) or include a statement accent wall color.
As a general rule, you should never paint your whole home one color. While you can certainly get away with painting a single room all one color, we like basements with a little variety in terms of color and contrast. Painting a reading nook with a statement color, using wallpaper to create an accent wall, laying tile for added texture and painting an exposed ceiling a dark hue are all eye-catching ways to add variation to a basement space.
Lush Blue
Most people think a basement must be painted a light color to keep it from feeling like a dungeon. But in reality, dark tone are sometimes the best basement paint colors. They can look stunning in a basement, as shown here by @projectrousehouse.
Together by Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines is a rich, inviting hue. It’s a bluish-gray with slightly green undertones. Try pairing it with light furniture for a high-contrast and high-impact look.
Warm Gray
If you prefer a lighter basement, try Fossil Grey by Glidden. It’s a warm, light gray that creates a solid blank canvas for a range of decor. This basement by @tayashomepaige shows how decorating with all neutral colors can create a relaxing and inviting vibe.
Deep Gray
If you’re not sure if you should go dark or light in the basement, try painting one element dark, like these built-in cabinets by @chadesslingerdesign. The color here is actually a stock cabinet color, but try Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn for a similar look. With light walls and dark gray cabinets, you get the best of both worlds.
Authentic White
A common color choice in basements is white—and it’s one of the best basement paint colors for good reason. White paint can brighten a space without a lot of natural light, as shown here in this basement by @havenhomesolutions. But there are so many whites to choose from! For a bright, true white paint without yellow undertones, try Polar Bear by Behr.
Glam Gray
Designer Gina D’Amore (@designbossgina) wanted this basement to feel different than the rest of the home, so she went bold with the paint color. First, she painted the walls with a metallic gold base coat, then a crackle finish. The final coat is Benjamin Moore Gray. If you’re not ready to take on such an elaborate painting technique, simply paint the walls gray, then decorate with gold accents for an equally glam look.
Night-Sky Blue
Basements tend to have lower ceilings than the rest of the house. To make the walls seem taller, paint the ceiling a dark color. The technique is used beautifully here by @brickendhaus, who painted the ceiling of her basement office Naval by Sherwin-Williams.
Gorgeous Green
Turn your basement into a jewel box with rich, dark colors for the walls and furniture. The dark green walls (Chimichurri by Benjamin Moore), blue sofa and pops of orange work together in this basement by @melmitchia for a jaw-dropping effect.
Warm Black
We’ve talked about some of the best dark basement paint colors, and you can’t go much darker than black. It’s a risky choice that can deliver beautiful results, as shown here in this basement by @samanthajacksondesigns. If you’re hunting for the right black, try Onyx by Benjamin Moore. It’ll add drama and sophistication to your basement while making it feel cozy.
Unique Teal
The basement is a less risky place to try out exciting color combinations that might seem too bold for the main part of the house. In this finished basement by @your_design_partner, the teal walls (Under the Stars by Magnolia Home) really pop, especially when paired with the paprika orange color in the rest of the decor.
Cool Gray
For a light, cool gray wall without any warm undertones, reach for Eggshell by Valspar. This basement space by @olive.oakdecor shows how this kind of gray can make a windowless room feel open and bright.
FAQ
Can I paint concrete basement walls?
If you don’t live in a humid climate, painting concrete basement walls shouldn’t be a problem. However painting expert Carr Lanphier says to proceed with caution. “Most basements are going to deal with moisture coming through these types of walls; and paint can trap moisture in your walls, which will erode the concrete over time,” he says. “Instead, concrete or brick stain can be a better way to enhance the appearance of a concrete wall without painting it and running into moisture-related issues.”
How long does it take to paint a basement?
The time required to paint a basement depends on its size and how long it takes the paint to dry. “In damper basements, you are definitely going to run into longer drying times even when running fans and dehumidifiers,” says Lanphier. “I have seen basement painting jobs take anywhere from a weekend to a week or longer depending on how much you’re getting done in a day.”
How much does it cost to paint a basement?
Again, the cost of painting a basement depends on its size. Estimates of the paint cost per square foot range from about $3 to $7.
About the Expert
- Carr Lanphier is the CEO of Improovy, a Chicago-based painting service helping homeowners connect with insured and licensed interior, exterior and commercial painters.
