Finish Your Basement: Planning Basement Lighting

It's important to take the time to plan basement lighting to maximize this part of your home and make it into an extra living and entertaining area. Here are some tips and points to consider when planning basement lighting.

Determine How You'll Be Using the Space

Decide how you'll be using each area of the basement. An office space will require a different type of lighting than a media room, and a media room will need a different type of lighting than a game room or a playroom would need. Basement bedrooms also have their unique lighting needs. The best way to go about planning basement lighting is to draw a rough floor layout of the basement. Label each room as to how it'll be use. On a separate piece of paper list the lighting needs of each room. For example, in a media room you may want soft glow lighting that can be dimmed as needed. A bedroom will need several lighting options from soft glow lighting to create a soothing atmosphere to brighter lighting for bedtime reading.

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting, also often referred to as pot lights, is an ideal way to light the entire basement. Recessed lights go right into the ceiling so there are no fixtures hanging which allows you to maximize basement space where ceilings are typically lower. Recessed lighting is versatile and can be used for all types of basement lighting needs because of the variety of bulbs available. Colored bulbs can be used in the bathroom. Soft glow bulbs can be used in the bedroom.

The Workshop and Laundry Room

These two areas have unique lighting needs and it's important to keep them in mind when planning basement lighting. In the past, an industrial type fluorescent light would automatically be put in basement workshops and laundry rooms. This is still an option, especially in a workshop. Modern laundry rooms typically require more of an atmosphere than the ones in the past and the jarring brightness of a fluorescent light is not the best option. Again, recessed lighting will provide plenty of light in a basement laundry room without giving it that office feel. Task lighting can be placed over the utility sink or the folding counter.

The Closets

Don't forget the closets when planning basement lighting. Basements typically don't have the same amount of natural light that other areas of the house will have and the closets will likely be darker than the ones on upper floors. Make sure the wiring allows for more than a standard bulb and a string. If you're working with a developed basement and there's no option to do rewiring to include lights in the closet, then purchase a standard battery-operated touch light that can be installed inside the wall of the closet. All you'll need to do is press the light when you open the closet door so you can see what's inside.

Decorative Lighting

When planning basement lighting, make sure there are sufficient outlets to install decorative lighting for bedrooms and media rooms. Decorative lighting can include lava lamps and any other lamp that may not give off a lot of light, but will dramatically add to the basement's decor.