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Basement Theme & Color

4 years ago

We recently gutted our basement and are basically starting from scratch. The drop ceiling was removed and replaced with cedar that is stained with boiled linseed oil. We also removed the 80’s style drywall on all the walls. The bulkhead still has the raised mud marks but my drywall guy is confident he can knock it down.

We’ve been struggling with what color to do the walls and trim in. The original stained wood trim has an orange tint to it and it feels outdated. We’ve tried gray tones on the walls and trim but nothing felt right in the space. We transitioned to tan for the wall color but now struggle with what color do do all the trim. We’ve tried tons of dark browns to match the cedar but it just doesn’t look rich. The latest color we tried, which is in the photos shown is a metallic paint. It looks good, but man what a process to apply.

The last piece of the puzzle is the entertainment center. You can see the tape layout of the design we are after and I’ve attached the inspiration for the entertainment center. I have no clue what color to do this in and they are stating construction on it next week!

Additional info: the fireplace area is going to be removed and replaced with a traditional fireplace. We are going to install a wet bar to the right of the entertainment center. We are going to go with a vinyl plank flooring. We like Tobacco Road from lumber liquidators but worry this will clash with the ceiling.

Thank you!

Comments (5)

  • 4 years ago

    Additional photos

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    first, I would not use that flooring w/those ceiling planks. you're right, they will clash.

    you need the same color or a bit darker or lighter than your ceiling, and the flooring needs to be 'calm' without a lot of pattern.


    if you must have those exact floors, then paint (gasp, I know) the ceiling white, or even black.

    Otherwise, what if you picked a large format tile?

    or, you could do the cement overlay, stain or acid etch it a dark warm brown, and have that for the floor


    stain it ebony, or paint it black, refresh the wood posts, paint the walls white and you get this look


    The stained wood trim. Paint it. it's not going to work w/the flooring (if you choose it) or the cedar ceiling. Way too much wood.

    I wouldn't even do the wood wall plank on the entertainment center. (or is that just the pic?)

    just go for something like this


    if you paint your planks and do the wood flooring, white trim, you'll get his look


    or do a painted plank like this (vertical is fine too)


    or, paint the wall black, get the same cedar wood, rip it in 1x1 or 2x2 pieces, stain and install for a slat wood accent.


    or, a vertical type of shiplap. if you're doing a white media cab, it would look great against this w/the cedar ceiling.


    you could strip the older wood posts, sand, and stain a darker color like shown here. this is vinyl flooring along w/white baseboars. a much better look than the wood ones.


    since you're doing new floor, now is the time to remove the older, shorter ones and just replace with the 5" more modern looking white ones. It will hide the end cuts on the flooring so you won't have to do quarter round molding and try and stain IT to match the old moldings.

    like this vinyl and new baseboards.


    btw, this is wood basement ceiling they did along w/the wall paneling in a soft gray green. what about this color?


    and they did a built in media cabinet that looks pretty good.

    you can read the links here:

    https://www.frugalfamilytimes.com/2019/01/diy-media-cabinet-built-in/

    I can't find a lot of examples w/wood ceiling and wood look flooring. If you go w/the flooring, make it as plain as possible (and not the real rustic, busy looking planks)

    here's why.


    darker floor, but I like the idea of the large jute or sisal area rug. white walls


    black ceiling, white walls, lighter vinyl wood look flooring. this would work w/your wood posts


    or, just go w/carpet!


  • 4 years ago

    Have you considered cork floors? Have not had them but hear they are very durable, insulating, and sound absorbing (ie good acoustics). Otherwise why not a cement-look vinyl - if in a lighter color it would reflect light upwards (sorta like whats happening now) and give you a naturally brighter space. The look would be more subtle - you dont want a busy or dramatic pattern like a lot of those vinyl woods which would be competing too much with your natural cedar ceiling. In general it's usually not a good idea to combine fake wood floors with large amounts of real wood ( as in an adjacent floor or ceiling - small amts like doors/trim is OK).


  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Tossing idea for natural smudged floor of concrete color, which can seem so neutral. If someone knows how, a match-blend can be made to your sectional... FLOR carpet tiles where people will stand to play.
    This paint is similar to some of your tiles...? too bad in a way, to remove them, since they look nice as fp accent... and goes with warm grey floor - this is concrete.

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