Welcome back to our basement! Summer is the time of year when we’re not using this space too much. This makes it a great time to think about the finishing touches we want to complete down here to make it ready for the long, cold winter when space to run and play is limited. We recently made one of the biggest changes yet in our basement family room.

Today I’m writing about the latest update in the basement, how I made these design decisions, and what’s up next for this project.

Read more about previous updates to this space in these posts on painting our basement family room and painting our basement stairwell.

The Latest Update in the Basement Family Room

The biggest update we’ve made recently in the basement family room is adding some incredible pieces of furniture and decor. I’ve shared a few peeks at the new furniture we brought into the basement on Instagram Stories, but this is the first time I’m sharing photos of the full space!

The pieces we added are mostly modern with clean lines. The textures of the sofa and rugs bring in a sense of softness that makes the space feel so much more comfortable, warm, and cozy. Each piece is super stylish but they’re by no means “display” pieces. They’re meant for living, whether I’m entertaining adults or hosting a crew of kids. (Proof: We recently hosted August’s birthday party and had twenty kids running around in the basement.)

The piece that makes the biggest impact is the Belia sectional sofa from Rove Concepts. I selected it for its low height, modular design, and comfort in a space that’s meant for lounging. We also added the Nino table lamp from Rove Concepts, new rugs from Nordic Knots, and a few pieces we already had on hand. I’m still deciding which coffee table we’ll use in this space—either the Kara concrete coffee table from Rove Concepts or this white oak coffee table from Lulu & Georgia (pictured here). One will live here in the basement and the other will go upstairs!

Here’s a list of product sources in this space:

• Sofa: Rove Concepts (gifted)
• Lamp: Rove Concepts (gifted)
• Coffee Table Option #1: Rove Concepts (gifted)
• Coffee Table Option #2: Lulu & Georgia (gifted)
• Rugs: Nordic Knots (gifted)
• Chairs: Vintage Bertoia Diamond Chairs
• Side Table: Vintage
• Ping Pong Table: A gift from my parents
• Paint Colors: White Dove by Benjamin Moore and Sail Cloth by Benjamin Moore

How I Decided on the Color Palette for This Space

I wanted to bring in accent colors that would make the orange terracotta color of the flooring feel really intentional. I knew that green and blue pair well with terracotta and would make for a strong color combination. Pairing these three colors together in such big, color-blocked applications—through the flooring, rugs, sofa, and ping pong table—makes the overall color scheme feel balanced. It also visually softens the bold flooring color. As I bring in more accent pieces, my goal will be to soften the “cold” feeling of the basement even more by using warm tones, soft textures, and rounded shapes.

What’s Next for the Basement Design Project

• Make a final decision on which coffee table to use.
• Mount a TV above the fireplace OR install a projector. 
• Add built-in shelves on the fireplace wall.
• Possibly add a built-in bench in the bay area to the right of the fireplace.
• Install the Ottoline wallpaper at the top of the basement stairwell. 
• Add a new light fixture at the top of the stairwell. 
• Install a new stair runner. We have this at our house and hope to install it in August!
• Install a new handrail in the stairwell. 
• Update the wine room (see more of this room in this post). We will do a limewash finish or paint the brick, update the light fixtures, and update the plumbing.

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Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.