I have a basement with cement walls. What is a cheap material I can use to cover them up and make it nicer?

Question

I do not want any big changes. Do I just put up plastic sheets? The walls are not even.

Answer 1

sheetrock is the way to go.

cheap, durable.

Answer 2

I don't think plastic sheets will necessarily make it nicer. The cheapest fabric would probably be an unbleached cotton. Go to a fabric store and look on the "close-out" tables.
I would play up the look with some "mud" (ask for it at Lowe's or Home Depot), get a trowel, and just trowel the mud all over the walls, making it look "old world". You say you don't want any big changes, but you could even put a glaze over the mud. People pay big bucks for this technique (Venetian Plaster) and it looks fantastic. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Answer 3

Don't hang any fabric loosely unless you're sure it is fire retardant, otherwise you'll be building a death trap. If you still want loose fabric, a good way to go about would be in the form of drapes, as if the wall were one big window. You could put up insulation board underneath. Another alternative would be walls of bookshelves or cabinets. Or, you could put up insulation board on blobs of panel cement (with screws around the perimeter anchored into the concrete), making sure to align and level them, then glue drywall panels over that and tape the joints for a flat, finished wall. Of course, anything you do depends on the expectation that the room will stay clean and dry, so if there are any moisture issues, they should be solved first.

Answer 4

The person above recommended hanging fabric over the walls. I think this is one of the best ideas, especially because of the potential for water seeping through the concrete from outside. You could even attach one side of velcro to the top of the fabric and the other side to the wall (concrete screws? some sort of super adhesive) so that in the event of flooding or even seepage, you can just pull the fabric down and wash it or pull it down before it gets wet. price will become an issue if your basement is big - in that event I'd recommend buying the less-expensive basic/undyed cotton - it's usually down by the batting and quilted cloth and stuff - and some RIT dye. You could even dip dye it two colors if you wanted (top/bottom).

Putting up sheetrock or any kind of paneling is an invitation for moisture, swelling, mold and mess. Even if your house is new or you aren't having leaks yet... you don't want to invest in an invitation for disaster.

Spray paint was another cool idea, but it won't warm the room up as much as fabric.

Answer 5

Plaster is the cheapest and easiest but won't make it warmer (temp-wise). Just get it by the bag, mix it with water and trowel it on to look like an old english tudor style... not totally smooth. Get some 1X4 spruce and stain it dark brown. Put them horizontally around the ceiling and the floor and then vertical ones every 5 or 6 feet. You can attach each of them by drilling 3 holes into the concrete and using construction glue between the holes to hold them up. The joins of the strapping don't have to be filled or fit perfectly, this adds to the rough look. It will turn out looking like an old British pub. Add some pub-like lighting, some area rugs and some comfy furniture and away you go.

Answer 6

Firts of all, I think you will have to put white paint so whenever you would like to put something to those walls it won't come down because the walls where never paint. After that get some aerosols and make shapes that you would like to see the basement looks like.

Answer 7

if the walls are not straight and plumb anything you may use will probably look worse than they do know. however if you don't have a moisture problem in your basement i might suggest painting them with a texture roller. make sure you prep the walls properly and use approved paint for the area. otherwise framing and drywall would look best but cost ya cash...... hope this helps good luck

Answer 8

Fabric makes a great quick and easy wall covering. If you go to Michael's, Walmart, or JoAnn, you can find many styles on sale. Good luck!

Answer 9

You can use any kind of fabric, but if you are going to need it to be warm, you will need to used batted insulation if you frame and sheetrock.

You can cover up the ugly, but you gotta spend real money to make it liveable.

Answer 10

Wood panelling, render them or get in a grafitti artist...that is cheap and modern.....(some of those street artist are fantastic painters of murals, they will paint whatever you ask for)>....good luck

Answer 11

carpeting! I had it in my basement when I lived in PA and it actually looked good not fluffy carpeting the thin kind that is flat if that makes sense...