How to Light a Finished Basement

If your basement is finished, it should be anything but a bat cave! However, lighting is not the first thing we think of when redesigning a living space. Luckily, our tips for lighting a finished basement can be applied before or after the room has been fully furnished.

What’s the Purpose of the Room?

finished basement First, it’s important to decide how you’re using the basement. Whether the room is an office, exercise space or entertainment room, the lighting design will differ. There are three main types of lighting: ambient, accent and task.

Ambient Lighting for All Rooms

Every room needs a source of general illumination. Recessed cans are popular for basements because they throw focused, bright light and eliminate shadows. Chandeliers and pendant lighting can also be used for ambience and make nice accents over tables.

Accent Lighting for an Entertainment Room

Accent lights focus on particular objects in a room, like artwork and other wall hangings. Not only does accent lighting highlight your favorite accessories, but can spread light across a room when fixtures are placed high on the wall. Track and undercabinet lighting are two additional options for an entertainment room that save space and eliminate your need to worry about someone knocking over a floor lamp!

Task Lighting for an Office or Workout Room

Writing at a desk or exercising on a piece of workout equipment requires the right amount of light for accuracy and safety. Task lighting, like a desk lamp, provides a source of concentrated light to help you accomplish the mission at hand.

Let the Sunshine In

If your basement has windows, don’t be afraid to rely on natural sunlight as your main source of illumination during the daytime. Not only will you cut back on energy costs, but you don’t have to worry about a small space being cluttered with fixtures. If natural sunlight is not enough, a tabletop lamp or hanging pendant should do the trick during the day.
No matter what types of light sources you choose for your finished basement, we recommend putting all lights on a dimmer so you can adjust the illumination for your specific needs!

Designing or upgrading the current look of your basement? Connecticut Lighting Centers is your one-stop-shop for lighting, automation and home accents. Visit our Hartford or Southington showroom to shop products today!

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