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Our Budget Friendly DIY Basement Makeover (Phase 1)

Looking to add a little extra space and style to your home but don’t have the budget for an expensive remodel? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! We recently embarked on a budget-friendly basement makeover and I’m excited to share our first phase with you. 

Whether you want to create a cozy study nook or set up your own private sanctuary, this project is just what you need – affordable DIY projects that will transform your plain basement into something special. 

Get ready to explore our tips and tricks so that you can makeover the most overlooked room in your house without breaking the bank!

DIY basement makeover

This post is sponsored by Lowes and contains affiliate links, however all opinions and recommendations are my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

The basement is the perfect place for our whole family to gather together for movie nights and fun play. Unfortunately, the sad state of our lower level was anything but an inviting space! 

DIY basement makeover

The walls were dark, the smell was questionable, and it lacked an actual play area for the kids.

DIY basement makeover
DIY basement makeover

A full basement remodel has been on our wishlist for years now since we moved in, but our budget suggested a less expensive approach.

I knew that a fresh coat of paint was a great way to give our basement space a whole new look without breaking the bank. So I headed to Lowes in search of the perfect paint samples.

I love that I can get Sherwin Williams paint at Lowes’ prices. The color selection is vast and the quality of the HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams paint line is perfect for homes with small children.

I specifically chose their Infinity line because it repels stains, resists scuff marks and scratches and is perfect for high traffic spaces. Just what we need in basement full of romping children! 

DIY basement makeover

After swatching a few samples on the walls I knew this basement needed a light color to compensate for the lack of natural light it gets. I opted for the paint color Aesthetic White in a matte sheen for the walls and a satin finish for all of the trimwork and doors.

DIY basement makeover

I love how painting the trim and walls the same shade can make a space feel so much more cohesive. 

Even though painting is an easy DIY project, tackling a space this big can be a bit overwhelming. Which is exactly why i reached for my Wagner sprayer to help get this job done.

I wrote an entire review on why I love this sprayer so much and I highly recommend you check it out before investing in one for yourself. 

I was able to spray all of the walls in an afternoon. But be warned, sprayers use a LOT of paint so this already thick paint went on heavy and took a full day to dry. I’m not complaining though. I didn’t need a second coat so it was less work for me!

And before you ask, yes, I did spray right over the carpet, but that’s because we were ripping it out anyway and it was already ruined. Funny, but not funny, when it was time for painting the baseboards, we pulled back the carpet and realized the concrete floor at the entryway was crumbled and soaking wet.

DIY basement makeover

Our simple paint project quickly spiraled into a new tile floor in front of the french doors. So I got to work digging out the existing concrete strip and filling it. I also managed to find the point of entry from the water damage so Matt went a little caulk crazy making sure nothing would ever penetrate through the basement entry again lol.

DIY basement makeover

Then it was time to lay the new tile. The first step was to install a vapor barrier overtop the concrete floor. 

DIY basement makeover

I’ve tile backsplashes before, but this was a whole other beast. I managed to get everything laid in just a few hours and the tile was the perfect solution to protect the new carpet investment. 

DIY basement makeover
DIY basement makeover

If you’ve been here a while then you know about my love for black painted doors. But when I saw how gorgeous this aesthetic white paint turned out on the walls and trim I decided to go for it and use it on the doors as well. And I’m so glad I did. 

DIY basement makeover

I love the look of one solid color in this large area because it provides the perfect backdrop to divide up the floor plan later into separate living spaces.

DIY basement makeover

I’m already picturing a wet bar in the corner, a game room in front of the basement doors, and of course a home theater, complete with a built-in dry bar for all the movie night snacking!

DIY basement makeover

For now though, I’m just adding a dedicated storage space and play Area for baby Alexander and the kiddos. They love how soft the new carpet is down here. Perfect for romping and all of the activities!

DIY basement makeover

I also wanted to dress up the basement walls a bit, so I went for a cozy modern look with a pair of chocolate brown velvet drapes and added a little texture with these bamboo roman shades

Even though this basement renovation is far from being finished, I couldn’t be happier with how much more warm and cozy it already feels. We’ve gone from a cold, dark basement to light and bright living space. 

DIY basement makeover
DIY basement makeover

A special thanks to Lowes making this project possible! It’s now the perfect space for the kids to play.

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