basement planning: the living room

So after a peek at what we’re thinking for the wet bar and the half bath, we’re on to the main living space on our lower level.

We want this room to be a bit roomier feeling and more laid back than our living room upstairs, which has hardwood floors and is right off the traffic and noise of whatever is going on in the kitchen. In contrast, we want carpeting down here to feel warmer and cozier underfoot and to absorb some noise. We’re also picturing leather seating, possibly in the form of one big sectional where friends or family can pile to watch a movie, game, or just hang out. Something current and cool looking, but still comfy enough you want to just run and flop onto it. Ideally I think we’re picturing a bit lighter brown leather, with more of the worn, western treatment, but this is as close as I could find on a whim…

Across from the seating will be the TV and components. Rather than finding an entertainment unit to fit the wall, and because we have the opportunity to drywall however we like, we are opting to do built-in sections right in the wall. The wall below is actual shevling, but pretend it’s actual drywall and you’ll get the idea. I’m sure the plan could change, but right now the idea is that the TV will be recessed into the wall, the components will either be in a separate cabinet or in a wall cubby of their own, and some additional storage will exist to hold DVDs and games.

As for colors down here, I am probably premature in showing this, since I really haven’t done much more than casually mention navy to my other half, but I think it could be an awesome color for this level. The dark color will absorb light when you want it dim to watch movies, but with the shades open and light coming in, it would be a great contrast to the white trim. It’s definitely a classic color, but is so particularly ”in” right now that I’m dying to use it somewhere. And trends are great in wall paint – cheap and easy to swap out later. (PS I love the color of that light brown leather chair in the photo…that’s the tone I’m picturing for the sectional.)

After a couple of electrical walk-throughs, we’ve decided to use mostly canned lights throughout to give the illusion of higher ceilings, mixed with a few sconces we can dim as needed. I’m hoping the result of the combination is something like this…

With windows and doors along much of the wall space, and the TV on another, I’m not sure how much space there will be for art, but I’d love to do something like this on the wall opposite the bar when people first come down and turn into the hallway. I would never think to hang frames so low, but I love the overall paneled look.

It’s so fun to be in the “dream it up” stage before budgets and actual elbow grease set in. But we’re excited to see this all come together in the coming months!