The right combination of lighting can help create a welcoming basement.
Try recessed, ceiling-mount, or stand-alone fixtures.
Due to their location, basements often lack the natural light that makes a room feel open and inviting.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
The right combination of basementlighting ideascan help make up the difference.
These fixtures contribute focused light from above.
A table lamp ensures the desk area has plenty of light.
Credit: David A Land
The fixtures combine ambient and task lighting to accommodate lounging, entertaining, or reading on the sofa.
Here, a ceiling-mounted fixture in the center of the room illuminates the space when the sun goes down.
Recessed can-light fixtures are the obvious choice if you have a finished ceiling.
Credit: John Merkl
Avoid shadows by installing the fixtures so the light from each fixture overlaps the beam of adjacent ones.
Then, kids are free to play without fear ofknocking over a lampor hitting a wall-mounted fixture.
In this basement landing area, a snakingtrack of spotlightsilluminates a dark hallway when needed.
Credit: David Tsay
False-Lighted Window
Bring sunny daylight-spectrum light into a windowless basement room by constructing a false-lighted window.
This easy-to-build basement lighting idea creates above-ground ambience with a clever illusion.
Trymounting a wall sconcedirectly above built-ins to focus light downward and draw extra attention.
Credit: David A Land
Multiple Sources of Basement Lighting
For even illumination, multiple light sources work best.
This basement kitchen has every angle covered, with light converging from above.
Recessed Miniature Can Lights
A galaxy of recessed miniature can lights shine down on thisbasement bar.
Credit: Ann VanderWiel Wilde
These pendant lights feature a clever counterweight-and-pulley system that allows for effortless adjustment.
Hanging the fixtures from this basement’s hand-hewnceiling beamsdraws further attention to those handsome architectural elements.
After dark, track-mounted spotlights brighten the workbench, table, sink, shelving, and other areas.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Installed beneath the ceiling joists, the lights providefocused illuminationexactly where it’s needed.
The bulbs provide bright white light that’s ideal for tasks where attention to color and detail is important.
Pendant lighting creates visual interest and a sense of intimacy in tall rooms.
Credit: Steven McDonald
Track lighting also allows you to easily redirect the brightness when yourearrange the room’s furnishingswithout changing the fixtures.
Pendant lighting above the desk provides task lighting for office work.
Basement Decorating and Design Ideas
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