One of the things we loved most about this house when we first toured it was the finished basement. I hadn’t been actively searching for one—many homes in our area don’t have basements—but in a smaller house extra square footage downstairs felt like a real bonus. Unlike some of the damp, dark basements we saw on other tours, this space was clean, cozy and bright. No rats, thankfully. We replaced the carpet and installed new flooring when we moved in, which immediately made the basement feel fresh and welcoming.
Our home is about 1,500 square feet, and the finished basement gives us useful, flexible living space. We rearrange these rooms often, changing functions as our needs shift, so practicality is key. It’s not an elaborate basement, but it’s comfortable and suits our lifestyle. I especially appreciate having quiet work nooks down here—plenty of cozy spots for writing away from the bustle of the main level.
Most of the furniture in the basement is secondhand or pieces we’ve owned for years. You might recognize a few from previous homes. I enjoy using what we already have and slowly collecting items we love over time. If the mix feels right to you, it usually works together.
Experimenting with different layouts is part of the fun. If something doesn’t feel quite right, it’s easy to move things around, repaint, or repurpose items until the room clicks. Decorating is a process, not a one-time decision.
I’ll share another post soon that goes into more detail about the staircase makeover you can glimpse in the background here. It’s been a small but rewarding update.
My oldest daughter, Kylee, and her husband sold their townhouse this week, so they’re staying with us temporarily while they figure out next steps. It’s a relief to have space for them. Kylee brought many plants, which we tucked around the basement and placed on shelves alongside my blue-and-white pieces. We originally set this room up when our other daughter, Courtney, was visiting, so much of the layout hasn’t needed to change.
If you missed yesterday’s post about Kylee and her husband moving in temporarily, check back for that update.
This is my quiet writing room: I close the door and curl up on the daybed when I need focus. The curtains here are ones I used in my previous office and they still bring me joy. Decorating should be enjoyable—small pieces that make you happy matter.
We’d love to add built-in storage throughout the lower level someday, but for now freestanding furniture holds our office supplies, business materials, and decorating pieces. It’s functional and keeps things accessible.
I’ve had this iron bed since the girls were little, and it still feels right in the space. We plan to repaint the basement walls and add paneling eventually, but for now I’ve hung unused artwork to add interest to this wall. The curtains behind the bed are a temporary way to hide a mirrored wall and make the room cozier.
Normally the wood cabinet holds my printer, but to make this corner feel homier it’s currently storing quilts while the printer resides in another room. The white Ikea Pax cabinets keep all of our oils and supplies neatly organized—I’ll share a peek inside soon.
I’ll share more about the staircase makeover soon; it’s coming along nicely. And those family faces around the basement are the best part of this space. Lily is often missing from group photos—she’s an introvert and prefers a quiet chair in the sunshine. We’ve all been enjoying the warmer days lately.
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More Sources:
Navy paint color: Hale Navy Benjamin Moore
White brick paint: Simply White Benjamin Moore
Guest room paint color: Coventry Gray Benjamin Moore
Flooring details available from prior posts.
Neva Sofa from Sixpenny in Jasmine Rice; more about our sofa in earlier posts.
Our leather loveseat in Toffee is a favorite we’ve had for years.
Similar curtains, rugs, pillows, poufs, plants and accessories are mentioned throughout the post and remain reliable styling options.
Knit weighted blanket on the daybed and other cozy textiles help make the rooms inviting.
See the painted armoire makeover and staircase paint project for more before-and-after details in recent updates.