Want to turn your basement into a more livable space? Whether it's dark and dingy or open and airy, there are plenty of things you can do to make a basement look and function better for you, your family, and your guests!

1. Cover Bare Basement Floor with Luxury Vinyl

New floors can make an immediate impact on any basement space. Not only does flooring make a space more livable, but a new floor can really set the tone. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are both great options for any basement makeover. That’s because luxury vinyl is super durable, not to mention stain and scratch resistant, and waterproof And, with the ability to mimic natural materials like hardwood and stone, LVP and LVT are both ideal for creating a comfortable, inviting space that’s an extension of the rest of your home.    

2. Add a Stair Runner for Beauty and Safety

Besides its stylish good looks, a stair runner has practical benefits. It is typically installed with a thin pad underneath so that it is soft underfoot, great for noise reduction and provides excellent traction for kids and pets. Best of all, our stair runners can be cleaned and vacuumed just like our carpet, making them the perfect solution for busy households.

3.  Install Soft Carpeting on Cold Concrete Basement Floors

Another way to warm up a cold concrete basement floor is to install wall-to-wall carpet. Besides being warm and cushiony, carpeting can handle a little of the dampness that’s common to many basement areas. In fact, carpet fibers wick away moisture which can help prevent mold or mildew from forming in or under carpeting. Not only is carpeting specially made to fight stains, it also comes in a wide variety of styles, colors, patterns, and textures so you can create a unique look and feel for your new favorite hangout.

4.  Refresh Your Basement Floors with Engineered Hardwood 

If you love the look of solid hardwood, great news! Engineered hardwood is an ideal option for basement floors. From walnut to hickory to maple, the veneer layer of engineered hardwood makes it just as beautiful as the real thing. Protected on top with a wear layer and reinforced with moisture-resistant and backing layers, engineered hardwood’s many pressed layers won’t warp or crack like solid hardwood does when it’s exposed to moisture. Plus, engineered hardwood can be installed over a subpar subfloor or bare concrete basement floor.

5.  Set the Mood with Lighting

Basements are notoriously dark. Fortunately, there’s a quick fix. Add ambient lighting like track lights or recessed ceiling lights to shed vibrancy throughout the room. Then bring in task lighting in the form of floor and table lamps to make it easier and more enjoyable to use the space.

6.  Add Hideaway Storage in the Basement

If you’re like most people, your basement has plenty of stuff that needs to be corralled. Things like seasonal decorations, household extras, games and toys can really clutter up a basement and make you not want to spend time there. Instead, add functional yet nice-looking storage. Shelves, lidded baskets, and refurbished armoires are great for keeping things out of sight but not out of mind.

7.  Create Zones

Basements are the ultimate multi-tasking room. They can accommodate everything from TVs and game stations to conversation and craft areas, to workshops and workout spaces. So, don’t shy away from giving your basement more than one purpose. Just be sure to visually separate each zone with art, plants, furniture, and area rugs. Area rugs are the best way to designate an area, as well as add a pop of much-needed color or texture to a well-used basement. 

8.  Hang Mirrors and Artwork

No living space is finished until it’s decorated with the things you love. Mirrors are wonderful additions to basements since they make small spaces seem bigger and dark spaces appear brighter. You could also add a gallery wall filled with themed items, put up a family photo wall, or create a basement chalkboard wall and let imaginations run wild.

Whether you're going all-out to finish an unfinished basement or just sprucing up a semi-finished one, there are plenty of things you can do to make a basement feel homier. Because the floor is such an important part of cozying up a basement, it’s really your first step.

With so many things to consider when upgrading your basement floor, we invite you to come in to one of our showrooms. Peruse options, ask questions, see samples, and get some practical advice from one of our Flooring Experts.