The power of the RIGHT paint
Paint can be transformative. Dare I say one of the most important aspects of a room. That being said, there are so many different colors, finishes, applications, and treatments for paint that it is often something people feel paralyzed by.
When we first moved into our home I loved the possibilities that the basement provided but I despised many things about it. The thing I disliked the most was the color. As you can see in the before pictures, it was two-toned, dark red and mustard yellow, yikes. It is a naturally dark space, since it is a basement, but the paint colors and dark shutters on the windows only exacerbated that.
My goal was for the room to provide two functions. The first being a family room and the second being a playroom, since I have young children. Most importantly I wanted both areas of this space to feel clean, bright, and kid friendly.
Before
Now, back to paint! The color I chose was Basalt Powder by Sherwin-Williams. Basalt Powder is a creamy white/grey. I wanted a color that would be bright and neutral while still being warm since it is being used in a basement. Sometimes white and grey can make basements feel cold so you want to make sure the color you choose has warm undertones. I chose a Satin finish for the walls. Satin is ideal for humid spaces like bathrooms or dark rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light, like basements. Its also easier to clean than other finishes including Eggshell and Flat, so perfect for a kid-friendly space.
Can you believe this is the same corner as the photo above it?
I chose to paint the wall, molding, and bead-board all one color. I did this to create the illusion of taller ceilings. I don’t dislike two-toned walls but they are not the right choice for low spaces.
When you look at the before and after photos you will notice the only change I made to the room (besides some aesthetics) was paint! We even kept the same leather sofa and dark wood finishes. See what I mean about transformative?
Disclaimer: our playroom is never this clean.
Sample some of my favorite neutral paint colors in your home!