As I mentioned in my
inspiration post, we've been chipping away at the basement for the past few months. We finally reached a good mid-way point this weekend, so I wanted to share some photos!
Here is a photo of how the room looked a few months ago. Ugh. Dreadful.
![ugly basement before ugly basement before](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6xiA4Uehb1rVEV2Qk_UhhK2JiVjiYGS1HkXdQTB6DfdJPSKSq9YxV5iQNdEFi2KqJ4BIDKg2Im_uyy0JqUURAthQ5rmcpowL7eZW_T3jEnRA5ElE4azmYerSUURoCOksbv94rwRykvLR/s1600/basement+before+w+text.jpg)
The storage shelves were handy, but not ideally located. Since our goal is to turn this into a family hang out space, we decided to take them down. The boards are actually a lovely cedar, so we removed all the nails and saved them for another project.
![removing nails from salvaged planks removing nails from salvaged planks](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XC2ObWn_wIfGhgXxNAmeoDnKPsc5ZK9OIm72Rxd7e3IgKDmJtYboA0XIdbLDCuHqN6gesuVe6nPJhULg44CrTiT84lPQZ6Sh_IXrST4y7I6advg1JP2TaoLYmcF6Yl7zok91-tXchm_U/s1600/removing+nails+from+planks.jpg)
After the shelves were removed, Jesse installed six recessed can lights and we also had the ceiling spray painted black. The spray job wasn't cheap, but it saved us a couple weekends worth of time so I think it was a good investment. The color is off-the-shelf flat black from Glidden, available at Home Depot.
![exposed ceiling spray painted black exposed ceiling spray painted black](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YkqBJ_oz2y6hxDCduTmyF7yvcT4s0YrYWNPzJLyyJGq3adUN-deqkT1FWWwbFLfq9Q1YXCfIocnN2bXjTGPtd_M2tRPhtMuZV5zLmWaC7fZ9rPhakBmb_RiNDaUU0YEpjfegtF2qXd5m/s1600/exposed+ceiling+painted+black.jpg)
I gave the cinder block walls two coats of bright white paint and also painted the floors with
Valspar Latex Porch and Floor Paint. Painting the floors required a LOT of prep work because you need to remove every speck of dirt, but it cost less than fifty dollars so I really can't complain!
![budget basement makeover with painted ceiling and floors budget basement makeover with painted ceiling and floors](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRH37wzGudrNOzGsbf3NsNnRkISEJ9Em9Gnmf-0Q2of4lgcfSpe2oEN8QUZSAY_VX3kPvkxwPeuY6XoBRUXgW3ZalJahM0ryM2P3KJ063tNnpnvqHvuSHamEvZap_7ge2qD_ihx-2LoIIU/s1600/basement+black+ceiling+painted+floors.jpg)
A quick break down of the floor painting process. First, I used a scraper to remove tape, globs of paint and other mysterious substances from the floor. Then I used a drywall sander and went over the floors twice to smooth out any remaining gunk and loosen dirt, sweeping in between. After that, I vacuumed the floor twice and finished with two rounds of mopping. Whew! It was a workout, for sure! Once the floor was spotless, I set up a fan, had some wine with my mom, and waited a couple hours for the floor to dry. Then I painted it the same way I would a wall, cutting in the edges and rolling the reminder. I did a second coat of paint right away the next morning (before more dust and dirt could settle on it).
![exposed basement ceiling and cement floors painted exposed basement ceiling and cement floors painted](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFrF9cE8bu4bSoA3A0SiCYP9pKiWOFsuzinfivdspo6tph4F4PrdNqRH4mNCPuWOx_iLBGRNtUPllJWo-vCRNev3biv1e6xmsiOsLyRubgcBPXSj6ZzZmNMYc21sM2q50Q8peZFjwn_GF/s1600/basement+before+and+after.png)
Oh, and Jesse built this combination climbing wall and fort. No big deal. Just kidding. It's freakin' sweet! Once the inside is finished, we'll do a full post on it. Actually, I want Jesse to pen the post since the wall is his baby, but I'm still trying to convince him!
It's looking great! The black ceiling/white wall combo was a great choice. Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks! I can't wait to DO more!
DeleteBasements are funny, either you love yours or you hate it. Much more fun to lov'em. Bet your loving yours now, it looks great!!
ReplyDelete