Change the lighting to track lights to get more and make sure all the bulbs are LEDs in 4000K and then IMO cut the wall color 25%

Since it is a kids room i would go with more color..don’t know how old they are but usually if they participate in these choices they get a little more invested and connected to the space...perhaps using their favorite colors....not nes essarily decorating as making if fun and appea

By time this is done they will be 8 and 6. We are trying to stay neutral on the walls since we have so many colorful wall hangings and toys plus we don't want to have to repaint it in a few years.

I always like to follow mother nature in these cases...pale blue ceiling...sunny pale yellow on the walls and and green color carpeting ...(like “grass” )....and because ...no matter what age ..they always end up on the floor...usually bean bag chairs are fun and comfortable and a big trunk for stuff to make it easy to clean up...if they will be watching tv...some uplighting ...which brings to mind painting white clouds on the ceiling ... for fun too...cant stress enough getting them involved..it will waken their awareness to their surroundings...give them some pride in their participation and accomplishment... as well to a little more commitment to the upkeep of the space... i also like a door painted in chalkboard paint for whatever they choose to write or draw...

They have maybe 5 years til they start maturing and wanting a more sedate setting ...by then you will probably NEED...to repaint...

Kids kind of like chaos more than we do...but if you dont like the “color” idea ....i would go with a bright white as you are in the basement

Because the basement has little natural light I would not do Monorail Silver. It is too neutral. Neutral colors need light so they don't feel dreary and depressing.

Believe it or not, we see less color when we are depressed - we say we feel blue, but we see gray, on the other hand, seeing colors that remind us of happy memories will increase production of dopamine and serotonin and we feel happy.

You don't have to go crazy with color, but something like SW 6191 Contented has enough color that it won't feel so drab, but not so much that it will grab your attention.

I love green for kid's spaces because it has a calming effect, increases concentration and has been shown to increase reading comprehension. It is also mother nature's favorite color and seems to work with everything.