Wine Cellar And Tasting Room
Archideaphoto/Shutterstock
Any wine connoisseur will tell you that it matters where you store your wine. Not only do you need temperature control, but also humidity and other conditions to keep your collection tasting perfect.
A basement is an excellent place for a wine cellar because its already cooler than the rest of the house, and it likely doesnt get a lot of sunlight. While youre at it, put in a comfortable place to host a tasting.
Turn It Into An Apartment
TrishaZ/Shutterstock
If you have college-aged children living at home, you all might benefit from giving them a little more independence while under your roof.
Or, perhaps your parents would be safer in your home, or you have a lot of family members who live very far away and travel a great distance to see you. Whatever the reason, turning your basement into an independent living space is one of the best ways you can use that space.
Its simpler than you might think to install a kitchenette. More than likely, theres already plumbing down there for a bathroom as well. It wont be cheap to put these in, but it will be worthwhile.
Even if none of the scenarios above apply to you, why not monetize part of your home by renting the basement apartment on Airbnb or a similar platform? It will pay for itself in no time.
Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant
This Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant is initially for the protective finish to various roofs. But this paint is also the best option for basement walls.
- It is flexible and durable with a final membrane with an elongation of over 1000% preventing adhesion breakdown.
- It is also UV resistant that protects the paint from sun degradation.
- This paint doesnt just have a bulletproof system, it is environmentally friendly because it is water-based, does not contain solvents or VOCs , and is non-flammable.
- Using this paint can give you a high-quality feel and safety for your family and pets.
Also Check: Musou Black Car Paint Price
Use Muriatic Acid And Water
Following the directions on the bottle, mix muriatic acid with water to create a cleaning solution. This will help remove any efflorescence, a powdery coating of salt found in masonry, from your walls. For this step, be sure to wear protective gear as the chemical can be harsh on the skin. This step is important for creating a clean base and making a waterproof seal.
If Your Basement’s Masonry Walls Have Fallen Into Disrepair Don’t Fret Repairing And Repainting The Surfaces Can Be Done In Just Five Steps
Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content.
Making over a basement wall can require a little more work than a standard interior wall. Not only do you need to pick the perfect paint color, but you may be working with an unfamiliar material, such as masonry brick. Most importantly, before heading to the paint store, you’ll need to check that your walls are waterproof. To do so, it’s important to know the most common types of water damage. Then, follow our step-by-step guide for repairing and repainting a basement masonry wall.
Recommended Reading: How Much Is Paint At Home Depot
Shiplap Basement Wall Ideas
If you arent ready to commit to the full rustic look, then shiplap is a great compromise. Its perfect for creating an accent wall in your basement space.
White shiplap on the walls helps a small basement to feel brighter and lighter. Pair it with a warm wood basement floor to keep the space from feeling stark and cold.
You can continue this look throughout the entire basement. Create a contrasting look on the basement stairs. The front of the stairs can mimic the shiplap look with a white wood front. The top of the stairs can be a warm wood.
How To Paint Concrete Basement Walls
Painting your concrete basement walls can do more than just improve its looks. The right paint can protect your foundation from water damage and prevent mold growth. But before you start painting, clean the walls thoroughly and make repairs where needed. Fill all the small cracks with mortar or caulk and repair large damage with fresh concrete. Since concrete walls are porous, they need to be sealed with primer before painting. Apply one coat of mold killing primer all over the walls. Once that dries, apply two coats of masonry paint. Its important to use masonry paint because its specially formulated to breathe. This is a must have feature when painting concrete walls. Paint and primer can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer.
Painting concrete basement walls can be a time consuming process, but it isnt any harder than painting drywall or wood walls. Dont skip the cleaning or repair steps. If you paint dirty concrete the paint may not stick. Youll eventually end up with peeling or cracked paint. Repairing wall damage is also important because the cracks will keep getting worse which will also ruin the paint.
Ahead well go over the painting process in more detail.
Also Check: Free Paint By Number Apps
Step 1 How To Prepare A Cinder Block Wall For Painting
With every project, there is always prep work, and this is an essential step to give you the finish you want. But before starting, I put on my mask and glasses safety first!
Start by scraping off all dirt, loose grit in cracks, and , the old flaking paint, with a painters tool and a wire brush. Use a shop-vac to vacuum up the scraped off material.
After, you will use hydraulic cement to patch any holes or cracks where water could seep in. Follow the instructions for the hydraulic cement, or if you want some extra help, see how to waterproof cracks in a foundation.
Once the cement has dried, its time to clean the walls. Use a shop-vac again to vacuum up any loose materials.
Make sure to remove Efflorescence by using Drylok Etch or muriatic acid to clean the area. Follow the manufacturers directions.
Then, using a mild detergent, clean the walls to remove any extra dirt or residue.
Clean Concrete Walls Prior To Painting
After all the repairs, drying and paint stripping has been done, its time to clean the walls.
Run a clean cloth over every section of the walls from top to bottom. Vacuum the walls and the floors around them. Get all the dust out of the air too. its very important to paint dry, clean concrete walls. If the walls have dust, residue or dirt on them, the primer and paint may not stick.
Dont simply inspect the walls and assume theyre clean just because they look like they are. Take a rag and wipe them down. Youd be surprised how much can settle in concretes pores that you cant see. All that fine dust or pollen doesnt just go away when you paint, it gets in the paint or sits between the paint and concrete. Both of which are bad.
If the walls are really dirty, wash them with soap and warm water using a bristle brush or sprayer. Washing will remove any dust or dirt on the walls that a basic wiping wont get. Make sure to thoroughly dry the walls prior to painting.
- Clean your walls using a wire brush to remove dirt, grime and grease.
- Once youve gone over the entire surface, use a wet towel to wipe down and rinse your walls. This removes dust and dirt.
- Vacuum the floors around the walls as needed.
Recommended Reading: How Much Is Car Paint
How To Cover Concrete Walls In A Basement
You want to finish off your basement but you can’t decide how to cover the concrete walls.
Most concrete walls or block walls in a basement are covered using drywall, BUT there are a lot of other very good options like tile, veneer, paneling, faux brick, paint and a few more.
I’ll show you how to finish off your basement walls with 10 really cool examples below.
Best Paint For Concrete Basement Walls And Floors
Not just any paint is suitable for painting concrete basement blocks. The best paint for concrete basement walls can protect your foundation from damage and give you appealing visibility. Although these concrete paints have different chemical compositions, they are all designed to limit mold growth, mildew, efflorescence, and corrosion.
There are many different kinds of paint you can choose for your concrete walls. However, only a few paints are suited to painting concrete walls. For that reason, we have compiled a list of some of the best paint for concrete walls to make your decision-making process easy. But, before we look at the best products in this category, let’s first understand why you should paint your concrete basement walls.
What’s On This Page?
Don’t Miss: Five Star Painting Of Pinellas County
A Place For All Your Books
LIftwood/Shutterstock
Speaking of books, if youre an avid reader, you doubtless have boxes or stacks of books around your home. You can use your basement to create a library to display them all.
Floor-to-ceiling shelves are stunning, and since most basements are dark, you dont need to worry about blocking out the light.
While youre at it, put in a cozy reading corner. Move a very comfortable chair down there, along with a bright lamp, warm blankets, and other inviting elements. It might just become your favorite napping spot, too.
Inspect Your Basement Walls For Water Damage
Before you start any prep work or painting, walk around your basement and inspect the walls from top to bottom. Run your hands over your walls feeling for moisture or water. If you find any leaks, droplets, damp areas or seepage issues, you have to find the source of the leak and fix it before you start painting.
Some leaks are easy to fix yourself but some require a Pro. Consider at least consulting with a professional before doing any work yourself.
- If you paint your basement walls when theyre wet or moist, the paint wont dry correctly. You may also trap moisture inside the wall and possibly cause further damage. never paint a concrete basement wall when its wet or damp.
- Basements are prone to water damage because theyre underground and typically have poor circulation. Fix this by installing proper drainage, sealing the walls, creating air flow and installing a dehumidifier.
Aside from the paint issues, damp basements are a breeding ground for mold. Make sure to keep them as dry as possible. And if water does get in, dry it off and bring in lots of fresh air.
Recommended Reading: Coverage Of 1 Gallon Paint
Painting The Concrete Or Block Wall
Painting the concrete or cinder blocks is the easiest and least expensive method for covering the walls.
It’s not fancy but it does clean up the walls a lot. This is a lot more diy friendly and takes a lot less time than any of the other methods.
Here’s a few concrete wall paint products you can use:
Try using these self-adhesive brick veneer wall tiles for finishing your basement walls.
You peel and stick them to the walls. They can be trimmed to fit around objects if needed.
These come in packs of 10 and cover about 60 sq. ft. per pack.
What Are The Best Tips For Painting Basement Walls
Painting basement walls can prove to be a challenging job, but following a few simple tips may help prevent some common mistakes. Adequate preparation is one of the most important areas overlooked when painting basement walls. Waterproofing treatments often work best when applied before the paint and primer. Applying two coats of good-quality primer will usually prevent stains from showing through the finished paint. Basements typically have poor ventilation, and care must be taken to properly vent fumes.
Professionally painting basement walls usually begins with a well-prepared surface. Unpainted concrete walls typically require more surface preparation than finished drywall. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the basement walls with soap, water, and chlorine bleach if necessary. Concrete walls should also be swept or vacuumed to remove loose mortar and dust. Any cracks or crevices must be repaired before applying a waterproofing treatment.
Some waterproofing treatments cannot be applied over paint so it is usually best to put them on first. Apply the treatment with a brush, long-nap roller, or sprayer according to the manufacturers directions. Remember to cover floors and furniture with a non-porous drop cloth during this procedure. Allow the treatment to dry completely between coats and before painting. Placing a portable fan in the room may help speed the drying process.
Read Also: Best Paint Sprayers For Cabinets
Rubber Seal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing And Protective Coating
This paint is the best liquid rubber waterproofing product. Its originally for roofs and RV roofs because of its insulating and ceramic characteristics.
Wonder why we can use it for basements?
- Well, thats because it cannot just resist a broad range of temperatures and UV exposures.
- It also resists moisture absorption, maintains flexibility and elasticity, is impenetrable to ponding water, and reduces heat penetration.
- While it may need double coating, this paint wont be a pain in the pocket because it can significantly lower your energy consumption. You can also use this with light colors.
Give The Concrete A Makeover
If you are hoping to brighten up your dark basement, consider rolling some paint or stain on those concrete floors.
In addition to making the basement look better, the right paint or stain treat will also seal the floor, helping to reduce moisture. For just a small amount of money, this project will make a big impact.
Read Also: Best Paint By Number Kits
Kilz L378701 Interior/exterior Slip
This is a white elastomeric adhesive liquid rubber to waterproof foundation walls.
Reviews prove that it is perfect for basement walls.
- This paint has a solar reflectance up to 98% and has over 700% elongation.
- It makes sure that moisture will not penetrate your walls.
- Use this paint as your first step to clean your basement, and make your basement walls flexible with heat or cold.
Unfinished Basement Lighting Ideas
Some extra lighting is always welcome in a basement, right? Even if your basement is short on power outlets, here are a few fun lighting ideas to try.
Add some playfulness by attaching string lights to the ceiling. You can make the most of just one power outlet by connecting several strings together. Source: Apartment Therapy
Another option for dark areas with a limited supply of outlets are battery operated light fixtures.
These LED pendant lights are controlled by a remote. I think they would be perfect for a pool table or bar area!
Have fun with the lighting to make your basement feel bright and inviting!
An unfinished basement doesnt have to be a dark dungeon. With a little time and creativity, it can be a comfortable bonus space the family can enjoy.
Do you have any unfinished basement ideas to share?
Recommended Reading: How To Make Stencils For Spray Paint
Consider A Complete Basement Finishing System Double Bonus
You may want to consider installing a complete basement wall and ceiling finishing system like the one from Owens Corning.
The wall panels are removable to allow for electrical and plumbing access, and they’re also mold and mildew resistant.
This is a much better option for damp basements. The wall panels can even be painted!
IN CONCLUSION:
You really have a lot of options to consider for covering up your basement walls.
The 10 ways I’ve mentioned above are all good, some easier to do than others.
Some are more permanent than others, so keep that in mind when you choose.
Good luck!
Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?
Hi, I am Mike Day, owner of Days Concrete Floors, Inc. in Maine. I’ve been working with concrete for 40 years now, and this website is where I can share with you all the knowledge and wisdom I’ve gained from installing all kinds of decorative concrete, concrete floors, concrete overlays, concrete slabs and also fixing cracked or spalled concrete.
Theres a lot to cover, so if you have any questions, contact me!
Summary: How To Paint Concrete Basement Walls
Painting your concrete basement walls can do more than just improve its looks. The right paint can protect your foundation from water damage and prevent mold growth. But before you start painting, clean the walls thoroughly and make repairs where needed. Fill all the small cracks with mortar or caulk and repair large damage with fresh concrete. Since concrete walls are porous, they need to be sealed with primer before painting. Apply one coat of mold killing primer all over the walls. Once that dries, apply two coats of masonry paint. Its important to use masonry paint because its specially formulated to breathe. This is a must have feature when painting concrete walls. Paint and primer can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer.
Painting concrete basement walls can be a time consuming process, but it isnt any harder than painting drywall or wood walls. Dont skip the cleaning or repair steps. If you paint dirty concrete the paint may not stick. Youll eventually end up with peeling or cracked paint. Repairing wall damage is also important because the cracks will keep getting worse which will also ruin the paint.
If you have any questions or comments about how to paint concrete basement walls, or other types of concrete, email any time.
Read Also: Can You Paint Over Popcorn Ceiling