Transform A Cold Basement Into A Warm And Cozy Space With A Smart Design Tip

Basements, especially those that are unfinished, can be incredibly challenging to decorate and make feel like a cozy space. You're often dealing with elements like exposed pipes, concrete/unfinished walls, and items you've tried to hide away for storage. The aesthetics are lacking and, for many, it's a room of their house they don't enjoy spending time in. One hack to help your cold basement feel more inviting is to hang curtains as a faux wall so you can hide any unsightly areas. You can choose the type of curtain that best meets your needs, whether that be improving the look or hiding things like an oddly placed water heater.

Before diving into this hack to make your unfinished basement welcoming, it's important to look at your goals for the room and plan out the process. For example, you'll need to decide if you want to mount the curtains from the wall or from the ceiling if your basement has a finished one that's able to support a rod or track system. Ceiling-mounted curtains create a seamless floor-to-ceiling effect, making the space feel taller, while wall-mounted options work well for sectioning off specific areas or creating a faux wall. You should also weigh the pros and cons between different curtain styles. Panels are great for covering an entire wall, and ones with an eyelet-style top are simple to adjust, no matter the location. There are numerous varieties available, but the one that's best for you will depend on individual factors.

To hang curtains in your basement, start by measuring the wall you need to cover or the area you want to section off. If you are mounting to the ceiling, you will need to install special ceiling brackets or a track system, which are ideal for creating separate areas of space. For wall mounting, opt for standard curtain rod brackets and install them similarly to how you would with a standard window installation. Some common tools for this type of hack you should have on hand include a tape measure, drill or screwdriver, and the hardware itself. If you're trying to cover a large wall, you may need to use several panels or even overlap them to prevent gaps. Use velcro strips to keep the curtain in place if you anticipate that it will need to be stationary some of the time. However, when you use curtains to cover unsightly areas in your basement, there are more benefits than just improved aesthetics.

Another perk of adding curtains to a cold basement is the ability to help keep temperatures more regulated than without this addition. While it's crucial to properly insulate your basement, the addition of curtains can create a barrier between the cold concrete and help to make the space feel more warm and cozy. There are even specific energy efficient curtains that are designed to reduce heat loss while still having appealing design styles. If your basement tends to be damp, consider adding a dehumidifier to the space or spraying a protective coating like Scotchgard Fabric Water Shield on the curtains to help protect them.