Well guys and gals, it’s here! The day of the big reveal for the One Room Challenge! It’s been an extra busy past 6 weeks but I’m glad it’s done and am very happy with the result.
As a reminder the finished part of our basement is a rec/playroom for our 4 young kids (ages 2-9). It has been neglected for the past 3 years as I have been single handedly making over the rest of our house (you can see the Before and Afters for the rest of our house Here).
So please don’t be too judgmental when you see the befores (it ain’t pretty)!!
And here are the Afters (please forgive the bad lighting–there is no natural light in the basement)!
In this pic I photoshopped some trim and handles on the storage system to see what it would look like.
My older boys wanted a place they could draw so I found a little green table at a stager’s sale for only $20.
The lamp is from Homegoods and the picture is a DIY I whipped up.
The side table and plant are from my patio. The side table was starting to rust so I will keep it in and the plant needed to come in for the Winter anyway.
The large vase is from Homegoods for only $12 and the pillows covers were DIY-ed. The pink one was made out of an old skirt. You can find out how to DIY the artwork, Here.
I bought the hanging chairs on ebay for $25 a piece and made the pillows for them. I made the large ottoman slipcover out of $5 clearanced drape panel, tutorial Here.
I built the wall storage system for about $100–full tutorial to come. Everything on the bookcases cost between $1-$5 and came from the thrift store, the dollar tree, Aldi or Homegoods.
The TV is our old one that had collecting dust in storage. The rug is actually a leftover carpet remnant that I cut to size and painted (more on that in another post).
I hung a pretty, little chandelier above my daughter’s doll house that I got at Goodwill for only $2.50. I know in the photo it looks spooky but I promise you in real life it’s very pretty and cute, not spooky at all!:-)
A big goal for this space was for it not to feel like a basement.
With the lack of natural light basements can feel gloomy. We had a rec room in our basement growing up and I didn’t like going down there very much (especially alone) because it had dark colors and was poorly lit.
So, for the basement playroom makeover I went really light on the walls (cream-Valspar Del Tequila Coronado, Blue/green accent wall- Behr Melting Moments) and added 6 can lights in addition to the tube lights, the little chandelier, and the table lamp.
Hiring someone to put in the can lights was the biggest cost of the makeover but it was well worth it because the additional lighting really helps the space not feel like a basement as much.
It also helps to raise the ceiling as high as possible. There use to be a drop down ceiling that ran between the bottoms of the two ceiling beams. I took it down and put up a beadboard ceiling which helped open the space up a lot (tutorial to come)!
If I’ve forgotten anything or if you have any questions please let me know. I have found that it often takes extra time and thought to do things on budget but it can be oh so very rewarding in the end!!
I hope you enjoyed this makeover! You can check out the other One Room Challenge Participant’s reveals, Here. Till next time, Friends!!
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Tamara, your basement makeover is awesome! I especially like the built-in surrounding the television. You are so creative and can do so many handy, crafty things. I enjoy all of your posts. Keep them coming!
Hi, Joyce! Thank you for your kind and encouraging words!!!!:-)
So awesome Tamara! I love it all but that built in and the art is crazy amazing!! High five girl! 🙂
Thank you, Cyndy!! High five!:-)
Tamara, it doesn’t even look like the same room! The white bead board ceiling with the can lighting make it so much brighter. I also love the color palette you chose. Your bold artwork works great in this space and the wide stripes on the rug really help define your seating area. Congratulations on an amazing basement makeover!
Thank you, Amy!!:-)
Tamara you totally achieved your goal. If you hadn’t said it was a basement I would never know it. It is light and airy. I really love all of your DIY art and the built in around the TV. Bravo my friend!!
Thank you, Jennifer! XO
Love how much brighter it is! And the art is great 🙂
Thank you, rajnialexdesign!
the ceiling idea is pure GENIUS!! it really is bright and clean looking-a huge improvement over the ugly,dated dropped ceiling tiles that are usually found in a basement . You have done a great job by also using “found’ and thrifted accessories…the space really looks inviting!
Thanks so much, Shelley!!
This looks amazing! I love the hanging chairs and the TV area. The planking behind the TV is fantastic. You did an amazing job!
Thank you, Teresa!
WOW!! That looks so great!! I love how bright it is now and the color palette you chose!! Beautiful job!!
Thank you, Debbie! I appreciate you coming by and checking it out!!
Great job! I can’t even get my dishes done and you are able to accomplish tons!
Lol, Amy! Luckily I have a really supportive husband who has been picking up my slack (dishes and laundry) the past few weeks!:-)
This is a huge transformation and looks very nice. I just know how much work that was. We are remodeling a very old house here at the time. Same ceiling problems. Wish you a lot of energy 🙂 It is so worth it.
Thank you, Lhiannon!:-) Good luck with your remodel and the ceiling problems (which are never fun to deal with)! Wishing you lots of energy too!!:-)
You made it feel light and welcoming which is so hard in a basement. Great job.
Thank you, Ashley!:-)
Everything is so budget friendly! And beautiful! Those hanging chairs are so incredibly fun.
Thanks, Corinna!:-)
I love your realistic before pictures. Life with kids doesn’t make for photo-ready rooms real often. You did a great job in the basement and truly accomplished your goal of making it light and bright. Beautiful job.
Aw thanks, Erin! 🙂
Your rec room looks amazing! Your kids must love it. It looks so bright and cheerful now!
Thank you!:-) Yep, the kids are finally actually going and playing down there now. Wahooo!
Beautiful. Who’d think it was a basement.
Thank you, Sharleen!:-)
You did a fantastic job!! Love the orbs!
Thank you, Amy!!:-)
Well since you said it first….Good Lord….what a makeover from ugly duckling to swan! Fabulous job and you are right….adding the lights made a big difference!
Yes, lighting makes a world of difference!!
Fabulous makeover!! I love the after – such an amazing change. We are about to tackle our basement and this is super inspiring!!
Thanks so much, Krista!! I’m so happy to hear you were inspired and I can’t wait to follow your basement makeover!
Thank you, Amanda!:-)
This was a huge before/after. Love the light bright feel of the space, now. Hope it is still neat and tidy. Happy Holidays!
What kind of lights did you use for the ceiling fluorescent lights? The color looks so bright white. Mine looks green/purple and awful haha! Do you have a trick for this?
can you tell me what I can get to stop the white powder I find in my basement the Breathe Ventilation System is expensive
what color is the ceiling?
Hi Julie! It is Behr Ultra Pure White!