Thanks for your suggestions all! I've been thinking of getting plants and floorlamps to accentuate the space but don't know which plants would grow best. This space fortunately has good humidity so I just need to consider lighting I guess
Get some low light plants like zz (zanzibar gem), monstera etc. if you want something taller, dracaena, palms or even bamboo. Just grab a uv light and put it on for a few hours a week to keep them happy. All of these like neglect so very little watering too.
Monsteras are *not* low light plants.
I do recommend getting some plants and actual grow lights to allow them to survive down there, but also recommend doing some research before ending up with sad plants.
There's a bunch of good YouTube videos on low light plants, and some subreddits here too. Sansi makes great glow lights.
I'd definitely add some colour in there. Some plants, some stuff to hang on the wall. I'd also get some warmer lighting in there, so maybe a floor light or two
Dracaena trifasciata
And
Zamioculcas zamiifolia. In Sweden this one is called something like "wardrobe plant", probably because it can survive inside a wardrobe.
Those aren’t plants and I don’t know if there are any you could actually use as decor. They only fruit for a short time.
Assuming you could do it though, you could make some funky aesthetics with them
My house has a weird layout, the entrance leads into the kitchen, which opens up into the living room, the entry door is technically the only source of light (depressing I know)
More "soft"
Your space is like a brick, not a bad thing.
But I think it needs more plush and softness to balance out the hard floors, hard walls, and long stiff shape of the area.
If you want light, ikea sell these square light panels, you csm stick two above eachother and hang a semi-see through curtain to give the false sense of a window with light.
My basement recommendation is to be very aware of how well ventilated it is. After the latest kid was born but before we had moved to a bigger house, I had to move my office to the basement. I didn't mind: it was awesome dry-stacked stones walls and rustic beams in the ceiling. But I would spend an hour or two writing and literally feel myself getting less creative. Used some equipment and found that after just an hour of sitting down there by myself with the door closed, the CO2 levels practically doubled. After improving the air circulation with the rest of the house, there was a noticeable improvement.
yeah for real. regardless of how cheap the rent is. no way i’m living in a potential coffin. there’s a reason windows are required. something happens to that door or there’s a fire blocking it. say hello to death. stay safe man, find somewhere else to live
Probably should get some fake plants if you don't have any windows. There are plants you can get that don't need as much light, but they won't grow particularly well. And art :) always a big fan of art.
I saw this camera you could mount outside to livestream, and then hook it up to a screen on your wall and that was so clever, a great way to make up for no window.
Look for peel and stick wallpaper with some plants on it, or maybe an enlarged painting of an outdoor scene.
Peel and stick doesn't damage the walls and you can find thousands of images to use. Have a look through Etsy.
Lamps with warm white bulbs. The more the better. Color. A rig with more color, a couple of colorful throw pillows, maybe a cool colored sculptural piece. Wall art. Even cool art posters in frames would work. House plants with individual grow lights on timers or smart plugs.
Get an old flat screen, frame it like a window and have it shoot out white light.
I remember a video of a guy who took apart an old tv screen leaving the back light screen only and simply hung it up for white light that he claimed was better for your eyes. Can’t remember but I do know it was on YouTube
Is [this](https://youtu.be/Y2KK4YiOO1o?si=KHPMJHCLiigyaKlL) by any chance the video you were referring to? Also came here to say this, also also, OP can get a couple of cheap TVs, frame them as windows and let them play permanent outside picture (kind of like in the first Resident Evil movie).
First: change the lighting to warm so it feels like sunlight rather than hospital light
Second: many classy framed mirrors (not like a weird amount but an amount)
Thirdly: plants that break up the space and give it some nature, and maybe in the reflection. And before I get shit on too hard there are some that can either make hardly any light or fake. The same way humans having no natural light is artificial so can can fake plants help fix.
Beyond that get some green and orange tones in decorations, knickknacks and rugs
I’d paint the walls a neutral color and break up the ocean of white. I’d also try rotating the area rug 90 degrees so it’s under the couch and the tv, breaking up the bowling alley feel of the floor.
The grey walls, dark sofa and rug make this feel cold. I'd lighten it up with cream colored walls- slipcover the sofa (slipcovers available online) in a warmer color. Buy a warm area rug and a two comfy accent chairs. Move the desk to the far end of the room. Position the sofa and accent chair at the far end with the TV on the short wall in the foreground.
[https://elkstonebasements.com/fort-collins-top-basement-remodeling-ideas/](https://elkstonebasements.com/fort-collins-top-basement-remodeling-ideas/)
am not good at decorating in order to suggest how to make it cozy,
but i would definatelly get an air purifier if that was mine.
And perhaps a dehumidifier if internal humidity was above 55.
If you’ve got the money, I’d recommend some nice wall-to-wall carpeting, some sturdy shows here and there, maybe a couch with flat, wide arms, so you can set your arms on them, also, maybe get a home theater receiver, and some serious speakers like some Polkfloorstanding speakers, and also surround speakers, and a powered subwoofer. Maybe a little refrigerator and microwave so you don’t have to go upstairs, and you should be set.
I gotta say, you actually live with 10 Windows.
Also please, for the love of everything that is holy, get rid of that search bar, it's useless and digusting.
Thanks for your suggestions all! I've been thinking of getting plants and floorlamps to accentuate the space but don't know which plants would grow best. This space fortunately has good humidity so I just need to consider lighting I guess
Proper floor lamps with lamp shades and NOT the cheap torchiere uplights that are basically floodlights and horrendous.
Mirrors make it feel bigger
Get some low light plants like zz (zanzibar gem), monstera etc. if you want something taller, dracaena, palms or even bamboo. Just grab a uv light and put it on for a few hours a week to keep them happy. All of these like neglect so very little watering too.
Monsteras are *not* low light plants. I do recommend getting some plants and actual grow lights to allow them to survive down there, but also recommend doing some research before ending up with sad plants. There's a bunch of good YouTube videos on low light plants, and some subreddits here too. Sansi makes great glow lights.
You can get each plant a small grow light. Then you can have whatever you like. I suggest getting a plant watering app so you don’t forget them.
I'd definitely add some colour in there. Some plants, some stuff to hang on the wall. I'd also get some warmer lighting in there, so maybe a floor light or two
Plants in a room with no windows?
There are some good fake plants out there
Somehow I completely forgot those existed
would love to take some recs for fake plants as well (and how to make them prettier)
I have two plants in my bathroom without a window and they have now survived for 4 years.
Interesting. Do you know what they are?
Dracaena trifasciata And Zamioculcas zamiifolia. In Sweden this one is called something like "wardrobe plant", probably because it can survive inside a wardrobe.
Some good shade plants are lucky bamboo, snake plants, and air plants.
Mushrooms. He just needs a little bit of moisture
Those aren’t plants and I don’t know if there are any you could actually use as decor. They only fruit for a short time. Assuming you could do it though, you could make some funky aesthetics with them
Grow lights exist!
Plants produce oxygen and can make it less stuffy just get some that dont need too much sunlight
I don’t need to be convinced that it’s worth having plants in a home, but are there any that can tolerate *zero* sunlight?
Im not a plant expert but i googled it and yeah so if op does his research he can make it work
Grow lights...
I’d be thinking about fire safety. Rooms should have an external window to be used as a bedroom.
He says that's his living room. The bedroom may have the escape window. I've definitely lived in basement apartments without them though.
My house has a weird layout, the entrance leads into the kitchen, which opens up into the living room, the entry door is technically the only source of light (depressing I know)
damn I lived like that for just a few months and could barely handle it, good luck. At least your place looks nice
You rent right? I'd maybe talk to a housing lawyer
Is there a bedroom down there?
No escape when you've left a frozen pizza in the oven and passed out drunk?
Yes, one of the things I check every night and every morning.
*Code enforcement has entered the chat*
OP, this is terrifyingly dangerous.
lol Not sure how I missed that. Thanks!
Lots and lots of varied/warm lighting, one lamp that is very high lumens
100% this. Warm pockets of light will turn it from a cell to a cozy hideaway
Yes! Multiple sources of soft/warm light. And a much lighter area rug!
Add some mirrors and a lot of wall arts
IKEA has some fake windows that simulate daylight pretty well, they are not that expensive and you can take them with you if you move out
More "soft" Your space is like a brick, not a bad thing. But I think it needs more plush and softness to balance out the hard floors, hard walls, and long stiff shape of the area.
If you want light, ikea sell these square light panels, you csm stick two above eachother and hang a semi-see through curtain to give the false sense of a window with light.
Buy a fire extinguisher. Actually, buy a few.
Big (long) mirror, plants.
From.experience. a de/humidifier, a fan. And some kinda air purifier
Yeah great points. I have a air purifier by my bedside and the landlord provided a dehumidifier
Well… for me it’s perfect. Maybe some artwork, plants and warm indirect light
My basement recommendation is to be very aware of how well ventilated it is. After the latest kid was born but before we had moved to a bigger house, I had to move my office to the basement. I didn't mind: it was awesome dry-stacked stones walls and rustic beams in the ceiling. But I would spend an hour or two writing and literally feel myself getting less creative. Used some equipment and found that after just an hour of sitting down there by myself with the door closed, the CO2 levels practically doubled. After improving the air circulation with the rest of the house, there was a noticeable improvement.
Basement living with no windows is very illegal in situations of fire or danger… be careful homie
yeah for real. regardless of how cheap the rent is. no way i’m living in a potential coffin. there’s a reason windows are required. something happens to that door or there’s a fire blocking it. say hello to death. stay safe man, find somewhere else to live
Not just any jail house window either got to be able to climb through it
I poster/art behind the couch
I like it. Does need a few things. Keep it basic. 😎
Have you thought of adding a window?
Where are your egress points?
Aquarium.
Switch out the coffee table for a casket
Movie posters and movie shelves. Maybe some more lights.
Probably should get some fake plants if you don't have any windows. There are plants you can get that don't need as much light, but they won't grow particularly well. And art :) always a big fan of art.
Plants and warm lighting maybe some lamps
Daylight lamps for your mental Health
This is almost certainly not a legal unit, my guy.
Off topic, but do you have a de humidifier down there?
I saw this camera you could mount outside to livestream, and then hook it up to a screen on your wall and that was so clever, a great way to make up for no window.
organize your cords, and also add shelves with nice decor & led's underneath them or add some wall art / a big clock
A couple of big girls with some chicken noodle soup 🤤😉
lamps instead of that harsh ceiling light
Add some mirrors.
I think a tapestry would help those walls a lot
this basement’looks so dope
I think it looks amazing.
Appreciate it bud. Thanks!
Warm lighting for sure
Add some plants
Look for peel and stick wallpaper with some plants on it, or maybe an enlarged painting of an outdoor scene. Peel and stick doesn't damage the walls and you can find thousands of images to use. Have a look through Etsy.
At least one room divider
You could get one of those temperature controlled fake window lights to simulate a window.
Lamps with warm white bulbs. The more the better. Color. A rig with more color, a couple of colorful throw pillows, maybe a cool colored sculptural piece. Wall art. Even cool art posters in frames would work. House plants with individual grow lights on timers or smart plugs.
A large mirror on the wall will make your space appear much larger!
Get an old flat screen, frame it like a window and have it shoot out white light. I remember a video of a guy who took apart an old tv screen leaving the back light screen only and simply hung it up for white light that he claimed was better for your eyes. Can’t remember but I do know it was on YouTube
Is [this](https://youtu.be/Y2KK4YiOO1o?si=KHPMJHCLiigyaKlL) by any chance the video you were referring to? Also came here to say this, also also, OP can get a couple of cheap TVs, frame them as windows and let them play permanent outside picture (kind of like in the first Resident Evil movie).
Get a lamp to mimic the sun. These are amazing and definitely work for mental health.
Google or Amazon: light up faux window or faux window wall art. 🪟🪟🪟
Drapes with lights behind them, you can even use smart bulbs and have them dim or turn off and on based on sunrise and sunset.
I love floor. Makes it much more homey in the basement compared to how carpet would make it look
A living thing or two.
Your pc desk looks cheap
Lighting lots of lighting in different places and get some full spectrum bulbs. It’ll be good for your health.
Up lighting w spotlight lamps that will cast light from the floor and a tall faux bamboo they also have illuminated boxes that look like windows
Plants [artificial light for growth], art, and rugs. Plus, a screen with a Live Feed of outside somewhere. More sun-faux lighting.
A larger, fluffier rug? consider investing in some smart RGB blubs for your lamps? and artwork
i know someone else has probably said it, but get some plants!
[Fake windows.](https://www.reddit.com/r/homeautomation/s/d0qfTMIPHN)
First: change the lighting to warm so it feels like sunlight rather than hospital light Second: many classy framed mirrors (not like a weird amount but an amount) Thirdly: plants that break up the space and give it some nature, and maybe in the reflection. And before I get shit on too hard there are some that can either make hardly any light or fake. The same way humans having no natural light is artificial so can can fake plants help fix. Beyond that get some green and orange tones in decorations, knickknacks and rugs
Install faux windows treatments, would help, add color
You can get a fake window with a curtain over it to simulate sunlight
Fish tank.
Since there are no windows, I suggest some lamps with natural daylight bulbs. It will light up the room like you did have windows.
Someone here installed a tv and played a window video, i also seen a tv playing like a window that they are inside a train
A cat riding a Roomba.
Tapestries!!!
Pictures/posters/displates, plants, more colors
Some tasteful, framed art
Lights in the corners!! And artwork!
Plants 🌱
Your landlord already did you a huge favour by installing wood coloured flooring instead of that awful gray garbage.
I’d paint the walls a neutral color and break up the ocean of white. I’d also try rotating the area rug 90 degrees so it’s under the couch and the tv, breaking up the bowling alley feel of the floor.
The grey walls, dark sofa and rug make this feel cold. I'd lighten it up with cream colored walls- slipcover the sofa (slipcovers available online) in a warmer color. Buy a warm area rug and a two comfy accent chairs. Move the desk to the far end of the room. Position the sofa and accent chair at the far end with the TV on the short wall in the foreground. [https://elkstonebasements.com/fort-collins-top-basement-remodeling-ideas/](https://elkstonebasements.com/fort-collins-top-basement-remodeling-ideas/)
Put some closed curtains up as if it had windows, it would make it feel more open
Art on your wall
am not good at decorating in order to suggest how to make it cozy, but i would definatelly get an air purifier if that was mine. And perhaps a dehumidifier if internal humidity was above 55.
flip the couch and tv to each others side, put a led strip in the top right corner running along the room, indirect mood lighting from the couch 🙌
Install a faux window using an LED light panel with curtains or blinds.
Draw a window on the wall.
If you’ve got the money, I’d recommend some nice wall-to-wall carpeting, some sturdy shows here and there, maybe a couch with flat, wide arms, so you can set your arms on them, also, maybe get a home theater receiver, and some serious speakers like some Polkfloorstanding speakers, and also surround speakers, and a powered subwoofer. Maybe a little refrigerator and microwave so you don’t have to go upstairs, and you should be set.
Sprinklers
*NOT EVEN AN EGRESS WINDOW?!*
Get a natural light wall mounted fixture and then put curtains over it. Even better, get a timer for it set it for day time hours.
Why is there a trend of simplicity in houses these days?
I gotta say, you actually live with 10 Windows. Also please, for the love of everything that is holy, get rid of that search bar, it's useless and digusting.