Basements can be the hardest part of a house to decorate. They tend to be dark, gloomy and sometimes damp. Too often they become dumping ground for old furniture and other things you don't want seen on the upper floors. But with the right light, colors and attention to detail a basement can become just as beautiful as any other room in the house. Whether it functions as a rec room, an office, a bedroom or an entire apartment, make sure you put the appropriate thought into your basement and make it a space people will actually want to spend time in! Here are some tips on how to decorate a basement.

Photo © RTR Media / Income Property

Do you live in a basement? I don't anymore, but I used to. Where I live it's a pretty safe bet that at some point you're going to live in a basement. Whether it's your first apartment, or you're trying to save money (rental prices are crazy where I live!) basements can be great homes for single people, couples just starting out, or larger families who can't afford other alternatives. Despite their reputation of being dark and gloomy I firmly believe you can make them light, bright and perfectly comfortable. Check out these examples from the HGTV show Income Property to see what I mean. As far as I'm concerned, they're a lot nicer than some of the above-ground apartments I've seen!

Photo © RTR Media / Income Property

Do you have a home office? If so, you should think carefully about what color you paint it. "There are always distractions when working from home, yet studies show that while some colours divert from tasks at hand, others can significantly increase a person's productivity, concentration and motivation," says Alison Goldman, Marketing Communications Manager for CIL Paints.

Think about your job and what kind of environment you want to create.

• Blue can be calming and can lower your pulse rate while increasing productivity.
• Green creates a serene, soothing atmosphere, which can relieve stress.
• Red and orange promote excitement and enthusiasm.
• Purple is thought to promote artistic creativity.
• Yellow is cheerful.
• Light browns and greys deliver a feeling of serenity.
• Darker browns provide a stoic, earthy atmosphere.

If you can't decide, the safest choice might be green wich is the most popular color for home offices according to CIL. "Considered to be the most balancing hue on the colour spectrum and the easiest on the eye, green is restful yet rejuvenating."  While I love green, when I had a home office (my current place is so small it's all my office!) I painted it cream. I found it relaxing, calm and the least distracting.

For more info about decorating home offices click here. Thanks to CIL Paints for providing all of the above information.

Photo © CIL

I'm always on the lookout for eco-friendly products and I was delighted this week to learn about CIL Paints' new ultra-low VOC paint. According to Marketing Communications Manager, Alison Goldman, " The paint itself has no VOCs, and is tinted using new low-VOC colourants, making the final product one of the most environmentally-friendly paint options on the market." This is good news! I long for the day when all paint companies make the switch and no longer sell products containing harsh chemicals - better for your home, better for your health, better for us all.

Not sure what VOC's are? Check out our article on no- and low VOC paints and to get more info on CIL Paints check out their website.

Photo © CIL