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CHILLY BASEMENT? RAISE THE TEMPERATURE WITH COLOUR

If you’re not using your basement much because it doesn’t feel warm and cozy, you’re not alone. In fact, the most common homeowner complaint about basements is they feel cool.

One way to bump up the perceived temperature is to paint the walls with warm tones. Although it won’t change the actual room temperature, painting with warm, friendly tones will make the area feel cozier and more comfortable.
Of course you’ll benefit most by selecting the right colour mix for flooring, walls and furnishings. However, if budget restraints don’t allow for major redecorating, the easiest and least expensive solution is a fresh coat of the right colour of paint.

To choose the right colour, start by taking stock of what is already in your basement. If, for example, your basement has grey flooring and the furniture is in cool or neutral tones, such as forest green, navy, grey or black, paint a coat of a warm, comforting tone on the walls. Red, orange, yellow, and warm taupe tones will offset the cool feel and create a comfortable and intimate environment.

The depth (or darkness) of the colour will depend on available light, how the space is used, and the mood you want to create. If you want your basement to serve as a hobby room or woodworking shop where you need to see what you’re doing, select pale, warm paint colour for walls and add bright lights. If you want a party or home entertainment room, go with deeper colours and more intimate lighting.

If you are faced with the challenge of a basement used for many activities — entertaining, laundry, home office or guest bedroom – don’t despair. Consider using two or more different colours that work well together. For example, if half of your basement is Dad’s silkscreen studio, and the other half is the television room, consider painting each area a separate colour. Try a warm, buttery colour, such as Pittsburgh #515-3, Morocco Sand, for the workshop area and a warm, moody mid-tone, such as Pittsburgh #515-5, Stonehenge, to create an intimate and comfortable place for watching TV.

With paint you can warm up the chilliest of rooms, create a comfortable environment, in a very efficient and inexpensive way.

Case Study

A woman wanted to create an area for relaxation and entertaining in her basement. She had charcoal grey broadloom throughout, a large, dark navy velvet sectional couch and ottoman, and a black, floor-to-ceiling entertainment centre. The goal was to create a comfortable, intimate sitting area which felt both relaxed and sophisticated. Daytime lighting was not an issue, as the area would be used primarily at night.

Because the space would be used for entertainment, the solution was a mid-tone colour in a depth that would create drama yet at the same time not turn the basement into an overwhelmingly dark room. A rich, warm pale terracotta was settled upon (Benjamin Moore #2163-40). Although essentially a neutral tone, the rosy undertones of the terracotta warmed the room and the desired cozy yet elegant effect was achieved.

This article was contributed by Sylvia O’Brien, a colour consultant and creative director of Colour Theory, a Toronto-based firm that helps homeowners find the perfect colour of paint for their living and working spaces. She can be reached at 416·766·6789 or by e-mail at sylviaobrien@colourtheory.net.

The Griffiths Report, February/March 2002

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