Transforming Your Basement With Wallpaper
We've covered bedroom and home office transformations, now it's time to move downstairs to the basement! Transforming your basement will wallpaper can be tricky, but in this guide, we'll go through how to choose the right wallpaper color and pattern that fits your space. We'll also be giving you three distinct basement wallpaper "looks" that uses a combination of different wall décor products. Let's get started!
Basement Wallpaper and Choosing the Right Color
Basements generally have less natural light, and artificial lighting can often take on a very strong yellow or white glow depending on the lightbulb you're using. Because of this, it's important to keep in mind how wallpaper colors will look in your basement as all of these factors can actually affect how it'll look on your walls. We strongly recommend ordering some free wallpaper samples of patterns you're interested in so that you can test it in your basement.
Use some wall-safe tape to temporarily attach the wallpaper sample on the wall and see how it looks. If you have windows in your basement, look at the wallpaper when its attached closest to the natural light and test it in a space that sees less natural light. This should give you a good range in terms of how lighting can affect the color of you wallpaper.
In general, keep in mind that lighter colors tend to make a room feel more open, airy, and spacious, while darker colors tend to create a more enclosed, cozy feel. If you're decorating a smaller basement, consider using lighter wallpaper colors to create the feeling of a larger room.
On the other hand, dark wallpaper colors can work in mid to large-sized basements if your intention is to create a more intimate atmosphere. Lighter wallpaper colors will be more strongly affected by the lighting. For example, a pastel pink wallpaper will look more washed out and beige in a room with strong yellow lighting; a dark purple wallpaper used in the same room may look a bit brown, but for the most part, will retain a more purple look.
Basement Wallpaper and Choosing the Right Pattern
Basement spaces are often divided in two main ways: either as a single large space or a number of rooms. Wall sizes definitely should be considered when choosing the right wallpaper pattern for your basement. Smaller scale patterns are versatile and can be used in most spaces.
However, if you're covering a smaller basement wall, small scale wallpaper patterns are a good choice because they don't look too "busy" within the small space. If you're decorating a large wall, you can opt to use a wallpaper mural as these large-scale imagery works best when installed on a larger space. Also, basements tend to have lower ceilings than the rest of the house. Consider using vertical striped wallpaper to create the illusion of taller walls. This can help make the basement look and feel larger.
In general, the basement space tends to have less foot traffic than the rest of the house. This makes it a great place to use wallpaper such as grasscloth and glass bead wallpaper. These wallpaper patterns are a bit more fragile than vinyl wallpaper, but they offer a very unique look that can't be replicated. Grasscloth wallpaper uses natural, environmentally materials that results in a highly textured surface. Glass bead wallpaper patterns use small glass beads that have been attached to the surface, creating a high-end, luxurious look that catches the light.
Dry Erase Wallcoverings Are A Versatile Option
Dry erase wallcoverings definitely has its uses as basement wallpaper. It’s a versatile and functional wall décor product that transforms the wall into a fully writable surface. Because of its white color, this can be a good option for those who want to keep their basement space look fresh and clean, but may not necessarily want a full mural or wallpaper.
WALLS IQ Dry Erase Clear Paint Solution 50 sq. Ft. can
When choosing the right dry erase for your basement space, keep in mind the size of the wall you want to cover. Our WALLS IQ dry erase comes in two different types: panels and paint, as linked above. Depending on your walls, one option may be better and more cost-effective than others.
Feature Walls Can Create a Stunning Visual In basements
Basements tend to have large, expansive walls that make it perfect for wallpaper murals since this type of décor works and looks best when it has room to "breathe." Most wallpaper murals don't feature repetition like regular wallpaper patterns, but instead showcases a single large image. If creating a "wow" factor is important for you, using a wallpaper mural as a feature wall in your basement is definitely something to consider.
Feature walls can be complemented with another wallpaper pattern used on the rest of the walls. This can create a more unified, stylish look that surrounds the space. If your goal is to emphasize the feature wall, choose complementary wallpaper that has a small-scale pattern or a more abstract one. This includes wallpaper style categories like grasscloth, textures, and textiles.
Shop Our Top Basement Wallpaper!
WALLS IQ Dry Erase Projection Wallcovering
Pink & Beige Funky Transparent Ovals R6079
Now that we've gone over the main points of choosing your basement wallpaper, let's look at some unique pairings that will help transform your basement space! First off, we're mixing functionality with style by choosing a dry erase to pair with traditional home wallpaper. This special dry erase wallcovering features a low-gloss finish, making it perfect for use with a projection device. If you're using your basement as an entertainment or play space, you can definitely go ahead and host movie nights, game nights, and other fun activities that can make great use of the dry erase surface!
We've paired the dry erase with one of our newest retro-inspired wallpaper designs, Transparent Ovals. This geometric wallpaper is unlike anything else in our collection, favoring curves and overlapping shapes over symmetry and straight lines. The light pastel colors add a lightness to the space while maintaining a high degree of style.
Navy Blue Tropical Paradise R6041
For your basement space, don't be afraid to go all-out with colors and patterns. Really use the walls of your basement as a canvas to express yourself! If lighting conditions in your space is good, consider using a darker wallpaper color to add a sense of drama and excitement to the basement.
This particular wallpaper has a lot of different visual elements. While in smaller spaces it may be a bit too loud or busy, large basement walls allow this pattern to really come to life and add something special to the basement space. The white birds really "pop" off the wallpaper, providing a stark contrasting color that catches our attention. The thick foliage has us feeling like we're trekking our way through a dense forest.
Handpainted Pressed Flowers Wallpaper Mural Pink and White M9252
Contemporary Faux Brick Industrial Chic White Brick Wall Wallpaper R3704
Sometimes, a light, simple touch is all you need to complete your basement. White is definitely a wallpaper color you can play around with – it's easy to use and super flexible. For our final basement look, we've paired a gorgeous floral wallpaper mural with an equally minimalist faux effects home wallpaper. We think the white brick is a classic look that pairs really nicely with the floral mural. The bricks help maintain a minimalist look throughout the space while accentuating the burst of color from the floral blossoms.
Choose The Right Wallpaper for Your Basement!
Compared to the bedroom or home office, choosing the right wallpaper for your basement can be impacted by the lighting conditions in the space. Testing wallpaper samples under your basement's lighting conditions is one way to test out several different wallpaper colors and patterns. Free wallpaper samples come in handy, saving you time and money in the long run! We'd love to hear from you so be sure to share this article using the social media links below and let us know your thoughts!
Walls Republic Interior Design Blog - DESIGN ADVICE
DESIGN ADVICE is where you can learn more about wallpaper - how to use certain colours, wallpaper designs perfect for smaller spaces, what do wallpaper symbols mean, and so much more. Our goal is to help you understand everything there is to know about wallpaper products. If you have a particular wallpaper topic or product you want us to write about, let us know in the comments below.
As always, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on all of Walls Republic's latest products, promotions, giveaways, and much more!
CHAT NOW
0 comments