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
Updated Jun. 21, 2024
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 (as a craft room, lounge area or home theater, for instance) decorating and painting will be more focused and less challenging. Let’s review the best basement paint colors you might want to add to your walls, ceiling or cabinets.
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 colors 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, Fossil Grey by Glidden is 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 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. The walls were first painted with a metallic gold base coat, then a crackle finish, then painted with 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 dark colors in the basement, 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. Your next man cave shade…?
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.
Tips for Choosing a Basement Paint Color
Choosing the right color paint for your basement depends on the purpose of your downstairs space. 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 rule of thumb, 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.
Why You Should Trust Us
Mary Henn, the co-author of this piece, is a shopping editor at Family Handyman and a national award-winning writer and journalist. Formerly an edtior at Kansas City magazine, she has covered local news, trends, restaurants and more. Her home and DIY expertise lies in interior design, cleaning, pets and outdoor trends.
Erica Young, the co-author of this piece, is a freelance writer whose work can be found across Family Handyman, Taste of Home, POPSUGAR, The Belladonna, Your Tango, Reader’s Digest and Curbly, among other publications. She specializes in home trends and lifestyle topics.
Nina Derwin is a commerce updates editor for Family Handyman. She has experience researching and reviewing various items to help shoppers find the best products on the market. She researched and updated this piece.
How We Found the Best Basement Paint Colors
In researching the best basement paint colors, we sought inspiration and expertise from designers across the internet and social media. We carefully considered which colors make a statement without overpowering a space, offering a combination of neutral shades and more vibrant hues. We carefully considered paint quality, prioritizing paint colors from premium brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. Overall, we found that the quality of the paint you choose is as important as the color, and the right combination of the two can completely transform your basement.
FAQ
Can I paint concrete basement walls?
Virtually any concrete wall can be painted, assuming the surface is free from decay and defects. Before painting, concrete walls need to be properly cleaned and stripped of any prior coatings or sealers that could prevent fresh paint from sticking.
Also, make sure you put down fresh sealants before painting, like a masonry and waterproofing option. Sanding after priming will also help protect your walls from moisture, which is important for preventing peeling, cracking and mold. Additionally, following with an oil-based or latex waterproof masonry paint will help prevent mold and fungus from growing.
How long does it take to paint a basement?
The time required to paint a basement depends on its size. On average, painting a basement should take three to five days. However, if you have to mud, sand or do other prep work on the walls before painting, the process may take an additional five to seven days.
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.
Originally Published: March 09, 2021
