I would have no problem with a painted basement floor. Like tibb said, brand new wall-wall would make me wonder if it were covering water damage.

I have a painted basement floor. Basement is partially finished. Did a mid-tone gray. I've had comments like "this is the cleanest basement I've ever seen."

I don't care for w-t-w carpets and I think they are crazy in an area like the basement where the re are working basics like water heaters and furnaces.

But if that's a thing in your area I'd look at Flor carpet tiles. They are easy to DIY, not extremely expensive and they straddle the carpet-paint look. Some do have piles but some have none. I used them in our apartment before we sold in the only room with a concrete slab (the rest of the apartment had hardwood parquet) and they were ideal.

a painted concrete floor wouldn't send red flags to me, but I wouldn't want the floor to be concrete in my finished basement and would plan to change it asap if I bought the house (although concrete is awesome for roller skating, it is cold in the winter!)

I bet most people wouldn't want a concrete floor... if there wasn't some type of 'finished' flooring some prospective buyers might like the idea of being able to customize the basement to their taste but many others might view it as an expense they don't want to incur/can't afford because they are pushing their budget to get as much house as they can afford...

Can you check with some realtors and get their take on what's more prevalent in your area and what most buyers are looking for in a basement?

We are in the same situation......plan to downsize in a few years ( we don't know where either) and will need to freshen up the basement DH finished off inexpensively in the early 90's as a play room. We have to carpet the stairs since they are cheap plywood and will probably just recarpet the whole thing for continuity. We've never had a problem with water and if I were looking at a house to buy I would not suspect a water problem unless I saw carpet or wall damage or it smelled funny.

I am at the same decision point with my basement-- though we are not looking to sell at this point. I am seriously considering an epoxy on the floors with throw rugs-- nicer in the living area. Less nice in the utility areas. The alternatives I've considered are less expensive wood or vinyl tile.. or cork. I still keep coming back to the epoxy. I think it would look hot in a great color and nice rugs.

Well I feel better hearing your responses that quite a few of you think it would not be a negative.

Tibb- I am confused that you said yes paint the floor but then said something about installing planks and painting them?

I am talking about painting the concrete which is what I had done in one of the areas.

I kind of look at it like Busybee, but then I figure really it's still a finished basement with painted sheetrock walls and lighting and closets etc. The area I had painted was in a tan color. I am thinking if we did paint the floor I wonder how a darker color like a rust or brick might look . I think it could be pretty nice with a few area rugs around. While it might not be optimal it would be done. I can't remember the paint I used, but it was some sort of floor paint and actually has held up pretty well. We have someone who will remove the carpeting, paint the walls, and suggested painting the floor.

Again, in the grand scheme of things, it's a very nice house with a finished basement. I just don't want to turn someone off with this, but I think the basement is not likely to be a deal breaker.

Going to have to think some more on this but am liking the idea more and more.

We have a store room in our lower level which DH painted after he sealed it to keep the dust down and the paint adhered. It came out nice, but it was new concrete which never had anything on it...not rug glue or anything. But it does show any cracks in the concrete.

As an alternative, you might want to price out something like flexitec...I have it in my basement craft room and it is heavily padded vinyl so it is cushiony, doesn't clatter like laminate and is reasonably priced.

that's a good point--- if there are any settlement cracks on the basement floor, they will show if painted... we had a wrapped, very dry/ not at all musty basement in a previous house with a crack on the floor in the unfinished area - I was fine with that, but wouldn't want to see it in the finished area! maybe plan to paint it but change your plans if you see any cracking...??

if I painted the basement floor, I would probably paint it a deep color-- a deep brick if you went with a red, but nothing that looked too orangey. quite neutral would probably be best.

another consideration-- is there a bathroom in the basement? if that's tiled nicely, the painted floor might look that much more 'unfinished' in comparison.....

By the time prospective buyers reach your basement, they have pretty much made up their minds about whether to buy or not. I think painting the floor is sufficient, with maybe an area rug in front of the sofa.

Yes definitely neutral, tan, beige, gray, or brick, There is no bathroom in the basement but we do have a separate room for the furnaces and water heater as well as 2 other rooms for storage. They are totally unfinished.

I am digesting all this and thinking more favorably about painting it.

A vote here for neutral carpet. Second Joanie's suggestion to first speak with a local realtor about the most desirable flooring for a basement in your area, though.

I hate carpet and have painted every concrete floor of every house we've owned. Easy to clean and looks good.

Sue

Seww may I ask what paint you used and your technique?

I would love a stained concrete floor in my basement instead of the carpet they was here when we bought the place. Though anything is better than carpet IMHO I'd prefer the stained look vs paint.

This is an older thread - but we had a painter finish the concrete in the basement and garage with epoxy. It makes it so much easier to keep clean.

I had indoor/outdoor carpet in my last basement in my last home. Dad now has painted concrete with area rugs. Knowing what I know about wall to wall carpet and micro-organisms and dust, I would no way want anything other than those options in the basement anyway. It's a plus in most people's books, and I can't think of any reason it wold be a negative unless it was poorly done and some wild pattern and color.

I am going to check what the painter used ( I have the can downstairs. I am pretty sure it was porch or floor paint). It's clean looking and all and bright,a nice tan (what else) shade. I am not sorry we did it, but it sure does not seem as "finished" as it did with carpet. I am relieved that no one seems to think it's a negative.

I painted the concrete floor in our utility area with Muralo Quik-Tred about 20 years ago, then re-coated it maybe 7-10 years later. There are a handful of dime to nickel size worn spots in the main walk path I'd like to touch up, but other than that it looks great and I've been very happy with it. It's easy to vacuum & mop, I've even used an old electric scrubber on it. The laundry sink has overflowed & water went across the floor to the drain many times and the paint didn't budge. The local independent dealer I got it from is no longer in business so I'd have to drive about 45 minutes to get more, but it's worth it IMHO.