Brighten Your Basement for Less Than $100

The basement tends to be the most neglected area in the average home. The lack of traffic and time spent down there usually leads to a unsanitary, unorganized space. Here are a few ways to brighten up that dirty, dingy basement.

Get Junkin’

The most obvious yet most daunting task is where you should start. Get garbage cans and bags ready, throw out anything that you haven’t used in years that holds little or no value. Getting rid of this clutter will give you room to work, as well as create more space for your finished product. Don’t forget to vacuum the floor, and the ceiling spider webs.

Get Paintin’

Cellar walls require a lot of work to properly prepare for paint. This is why many cellar block walls seem to always need to be cleaned or painted. Take the extra steps this time around to properly prepare the surface. These steps will also work for painting a concrete floor. Be sure to have any major holes or cracks repaired.

Step 1: Scrape

All old paint should be removed, especially if you will be applying a waterproofing paint. Use a scraper and a wire brush to completely remove all old layers. Both paint scrapers and wire brushed can be purchased with a threaded hole, which allows you to put a threaded broomstick handle in it.

Step 2: Clean

Use a mild detergent in hot water to clean the dirt and grime from the walls. Again, a bristle brush can be purchased with a threaded hole to aid in the process.

Step 3: Remove efflorescence

Efflorescence is the salt-like buildup that can be tough to get off. You can either use Muriatic Acid or a chemical etcher. The chemical etcher is generally safer to use. It is typically a crystal type of material (usually Sulfamic Acid) that you dissolve in water. You can apply this with a stiff brush, and then rinse the walls after a half hour.

Step 4: Two Coats of paint

Especially when using a waterproofing paint, the first coat should be brushed on, making sure to fill in all the pores and pinholes. The second coat can be rolled on. Some people have success rolling the first coat, and back brushing it to fill in the holes.

Let there be light

Lighting is a critical component to making any room appealing. In a basement, adding 4′ strip lights can be very cost effective. There are strip lights that simply plug-in for less than $10 at most hardware or home improvement stores.

If you’re a little handier with electrical wiring, you can add porcelain fixtures that are under $3 each, but the additional wiring may not be cost effective.

Costs

Scraper – $5

Wire Brush – $5

Bristle Brush – $5

Chemical Etcher – $9

Waterproofing Paint – $28

Painting Accessories – $15

Strip Lights (2) – $20

Bulbs (4) – $8

Total – $95

The pricing listed here will vary between retailers and geographic areas.