How to Choose the Proper Lighting for a Basement

If your goal is to make your basement a place for recreation or living, then lighting is one of the most important aspects to consider. When it comes to lighting a basement properly, the necessary steps differ from other rooms in a house because the structure of a basement is inherently different--e.g., few or no windows. However, once you've learned how to choose the proper lighting for a basement, you will be able to perfect the lighting in a way that suits your preferences.

Steps

1
Maximize the amount of natural lighting in the basement. Natural lighting refers to the ambient light that comes from the sun. If you have windows or transparent doors in your basement, do not cover them up with opaque materials, such as curtains and drapes. If you do cover them up, make sure that you have the options to draw them to the sides to allow natural light to enter the room. Natural basement lighting is a great way to fill the room with a lot of gentle, bright light.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If parts of your basement are above ground, consider adding more windows. More windows will allow more light to filter into the basement, resulting in a brighter and more lively ambiance.
- To amplify the effect of natural lighting, the furniture and carpeting in the basement should be light in color. Lighter and neutral colors--such as white, sky blue and beige--reflect more of the natural light, creating a brighter atmosphere.
- It also helps to choose furniture with legs. If you have space underneath your sofa and there's not necessarily a skirt or something similar, it'll help your eyes travel through, which makes the space seem light and airy.
Overall lighting typically comes from ceiling fixtures and wall sconces which are often connected to wall switches. Overall basement lighting is useful because it fills the entire basement with light. Make sure that your basement has enough light so that it can be fully lit during the night. However, overall lighting has a tendency to be strong and harsh, so if your eyes feel strained due to excess lighting or if your basement simply feels too bright for you, feel free to reduce the amount of overall lighting.^{[2]XResearch source}
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3
Add accent lighting. A basement with nothing more than overall lighting can feel very artificial and empty due to the harshness of the lights. Lamps can improve a harshly lit environment by introducing soft, ambient lighting. This type of lighting works by accenting certain zones of the room. For example, a lamp on a table by a couch can make the area around the couch feel more lively. Where to place accent lighting is up to your personal preference, but in most cases you would want to place them in areas that you want to emphasize, such as a desk or a media corner.^{[3]XResearch source}
- It helps to keep your lights at eye level—this makes you feel more comfortable.
You may require a specific type of light in certain areas of the room for certain tasks. You'll need task lighting for under cabinets or in storage closets. If you have a workstation in a corner of the basement, you'll need a desk lamp. A drawing board may need a strong overhead light. If an area isn't getting enough light, add more task lighting until you can see clearly without straining your eyes.^{[4]XResearch source}
5
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of light bulbs. When it comes to lighting, there are 4 bulb types that are most used in the basement setting: incandescent, fluorescent, light-emitting diodes and halogen.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Incandescent bulbs are very popular because they produce a bright, warm light that helps with creating a comfortable, cozy atmosphere. However, in recent years, they've been proven to be energy inefficient and often short-lived. These types of bulbs work best in areas where the lights will be turned on and off frequently, or in areas that have lights with dimmers. If you have concerns about long-term cost or environmental friendliness, forego the incandescent bulbs for more energy-efficient alternatives. Incandescent light bulbs are also being phased out across the world for more efficient alternatives.
- Fluorescent bulbs are quickly becoming the standard in energy efficiency, particularly because they last almost 10 times longer than the popular incandescent bulbs while requiring a third less energy. The main drawback to using fluorescent bulbs is that they give off a harsh white light reminiscent of warehouses and office buildings.
- Light-emitting diodes, or LED lights, are clusters of tiny bulbs with each bulb emitting a strong, beam-type light. LED lights can last over 10 times longer than fluorescent bulbs, but the initial investment is much higher, far more than both fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. This is offset by the high efficiency and low operating cost of LED bulbs.
- Halogen lights are more efficient than incandescent bulbs but not as efficient as fluorescent bulbs. However, halogen lighting produces some of the warmest and most radiant light out of the 4 bulb types. The disadvantage of halogen lighting is that it is limited in application; it works best for track lights and task lighting. If you are going to use halogen lights, it is recommended that you complement them with other types of bulbs.
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I have a dark, unfinished basement. I wash and iron there. What is the brightest bulb I can use?
Community Answer
The Feit BR40 LED Bulb is currently the brightest LED light bulb available — it is rated at 2500 lumens (approximately equivalent to a 250-watt incandescent bulb) .
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How many canned lights do I need for a 1000-square-foot basement with a drop ceiling?
Community Answer
This actually depends on your lighting needs. There are formulas that can be used based on the particular lighting fixtures/type of lights you plan to use. However, to really make your basement lighting comfortable, you'll also want to include some lamps (table or floor lamps as the need requires) to off-set just the light from the can lights. Also, no matter how many can lights you put in, make sure you have them on dimmers to allow variances in light control.
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I'm debating between putting in daylight bulbs or natural, which one is the best?
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Natural. Daylight bulbs look really harsh, natural bulbs will give your basement a cozier look.
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