What are some inexpensive and creative ways to decorate a cement block basement?

Question

Our (rented) townhouse has a very bleak cement block basement. Right now the blocks are painted white and cream (and not in a pretty pattern) and the floor is painted dark gray. We want to use the basement as a fitness room and a crafting area for scrapbooking. The lighting is also terrible. What are some ways we can brighten up the space and make it more hospitable without doing any permanent construction (remember we are renting) or spending a lot of money?

I am allowed to do whatever I want in the basement, with the understanding that it is a basement (subject to incoming water). I just don't want to do permanent construction because I won't be here a very long time. I want ideas of what I can do, creatively speaking.

Answer 1

Here's my idea for a basement that needs some brightening up.
Since you're going to want as much light as possible so that you won't dread going down there at any time of day or night, try painting those silly blocks a lemon or butter yellow. This is a bright and cheery color and pretty. It is also a good color for workout rooms.

I've also noticed that in basements where the cieling is not finished, the light just seems to get soaked up in the floorboards in the cieling. To help the cieling, you really ought to consider putting something up on it that will reflect the light down. You have to worry about whatever you put up there as being a potential fire-hazard, though, with the lights and everything, but in the end even some cheep white sheets thumbtacked to the floor boards on the cieling can work. Might look kind of funky, but hey... worth a try, or something else similar. Maybe even flat pieces of styrofoam. Sounds tacky, but it will help with the lighting so much!

I think tall standing lamps placed in each corner of the room would work, too. As well as what that dumb druggy guy suggested: getting lights from Home depot or somewhere.

Also one big area rug, or two seperate ones to divide the room spaces would be best. Change the color of paint on the floor from gray to maybe a dark beige or even a brighter color if you like, then get the rugs in a bright color, too.
Reds, oranged, peaches, yellows, beiges, tans, etc., all work well for basements and for brightening and warming things up.

I dont recommend table lamps because they seem to set off a more soft, relaxing, dim kind of lighting that won't be work-out enhancing. Maybe a desk lamp on a desk for your crafting, but that should be the extent of that.

Also, a BIG mirror in front of your workout equipment is a must, especially in a basement. I'd spend the most money on that. You'll like it wherever you move to, also.
Big insperational posters in small, cheap, plastic black frames works really well in a work-out room. Find stuff that inspires you to move, to achieve, to grow, etc., and that have matching bright colors that you've picked. Sometimes they already come framed.

For the crafting side I recommend WHITE furniture. it will reflect the light, make seeing what you're doing easier, and look neater and fresh. Get your cheap white plastic shelvs or drawers to keep your stuff in. There are those stackable white plastic "drawers" that are in style right now that you can get for very cheap at Walmart. You can stack two or three on top of each other to save space and also bring things up more. Finding a big, old desk and painting it white would be good, and then perhaps buying regular white shelving to put along the back of it would be useful.
The chair can be any color. It won't matter, just make it to work for you.

Try to stay away from grays, blues, silvers, charcoals, black, etc in here. It'll make it cold and dark and unfriendly. No metals or anything. Plastic, wood, fabric, etc. is more warm and inviting and comfortable.

Anyway, I hope I helped and didnt bore you to tears!

Answer 2

Craig's List will have inexpensive items (albeit used) for decorating.

As for light construction work: The most important issue is waterproofing. Use Super ThoroCoat to seal and color the walls. For the floor, use "oops" paint from home depot. A 5 gallon bucket of an "off" color should do the trick, and it is normally marked down from $125 to $15. Yes, that is $110 off the normal price. Our local store ALWAYS has one or two "garage" or "concrete" floor 5 gallon buckets in the "oops" area that someone didn't pick up or didn't particularly like the color of. (Remember the most important rules in painting a concrete floor: Clean the floor first, make sure it is dry, apply paint and WAIT 48 hours before walking on it and three more days before putting furniture down on it.)

Then, area rugs are cheap enough on Craig's list as well as Ikea furniture. They are BOTH available in good condition on Craig's list with little time wasted looking and great prices.

Your landlord will appreciate your use of ThoroCoat or ThoroSeal on the walls and "concrete" paint on the floor. You will have done the "right" thing and have made it moisture resistant and waterproof too.

FYI, our townhouse basement is done with these sealants. It worked well at keeping dust sealed in as well as taking away the "dampness" associated with normal basements.

Answer 3

Because of your scrapbooking and since it is a basement you are going to want to consider storage options. Inexpensive shelving, either metal shelves or even sturdy boards and cinder blocks can be concealed behind curtains. I’ve even seen decorative shower curtains used for this. Curtains might help hide or break up some of the longer expanses of wall too. Take your time and watch clearance sales.

You are probably going to want mirrors for your work out area. Inexpensive long, narrow dressing mirrors would be perfect for this and would also increase your lighting. They could be taken out of the cheap frames they come in and hung side by side or left in the frames for a more focused area. Some could even be hung side ways for a different effect on an adjoining wall. For the lighting I would think that an overhead in the work out area and halogen in your craft area would suffice and wouldn’t be too expensive. You don't want to scrimp on the lighting for your craft area, you will see the difference in the end product of your work if you do.

All of these ideas leave you where anything you do have to purchase can easily be converted to another use in a new home. Good luck in your new place!

Answer 4

A cheap way to decorate for a workout room and scrap book room is to buy some stand up mirrors and place them up against the walls. Any lighting that you have will magnify and you will be able to see your physical development while working out, and you can take them with you when you leave. Good Luck

Answer 5

get some cheap floresent light fixture at lowes or home depot get lots of them get some heat lamps and some potting mix and large pots and start your own basement marijuanna farm and rake in the dough then with the money by your dream home

Answer 6

Paint, fabric, and rugs should do the trick down there.

Answer 7

Well, since you are renting, you should ask your landlord what would be allowed...Then work at it a peice at a time...

Answer 8

rugs they can go with you pictures or posters can go to put lamps in the tall ones and short ones they can go with you to put color ed ones in there be brave with the color