You walk into some basements and just know you’re in one. Low ceilings. Weird carpet. Fluorescent lights that flicker like a horror movie. It feels like a separate world—and not in a good way.
But here’s the truth: your finished basement doesn’t have to feel like the “bonus” space that’s separate from the rest of your home. It can be just as warm, stylish, and functional as your upstairs—if it’s designed with intention.
At Hawthorne, we’re all about turning basements into real, livable extensions of your home—not weird, forgotten corners where furniture goes to die.
Here’s how we do it.
Step 1: Treat It Like the Rest of Your House
This might sound obvious, but it’s where most people go wrong. If your main level gets all the good design—color coordination, smart layout, nice finishes—why should your basement get the leftovers?
Want your basement to feel like part of your home? Start by designing it like it is.
That means:
- Thoughtful layout (not just “whatever fits”)
- Coordinated color palette
- Consistent flooring, trim, and hardware choices
Step 2: Go All In on Lighting
Basements get a bad rap for being dark and dreary, but that’s not a given—it’s just a lighting problem.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Use layered lighting: ambient (ceiling), task (lamps), and accent (wall or floor lighting)
- Install dimmable recessed lights so you can control the mood
- Add mirrors or reflective finishes to bounce light and make the space feel bigger
And if you’ve got windows? Celebrate them. Use light-filtering shades to bring in natural light without sacrificing privacy.
Step 3: Choose Finishes That Match Your Style—Not Just “Basement-Friendly” Options
You don’t have to settle for builder-grade carpet or plastic-y floors just because it’s a basement.
We’re big fans of luxury vinyl plank (LVP) for flooring—it’s moisture-resistant, low maintenance, and looks amazing. Pair that with stylish baseboards, solid-core doors, and fixtures that match the rest of your house, and you’re already ahead of the game.
If your basement has a separate entrance, don’t forget a mudroom-style zone with flooring that can take the mess and still look good.
Step 4: Bring the Same Energy to the Furniture & Decor
The fastest way to make your basement feel disconnected? Toss in old furniture from three apartments ago and call it a day.
Instead:
- Choose furniture that matches the tone of your upstairs living spaces
- Use art, textiles, and shelving to make it feel styled (not just filled)
- Keep things functional, but beautiful—storage can be stylish too
Whether it’s a movie room, a guest suite, or a full-on bar and hangout space, it should feel like you.
Step 5: Open It Up (When You Can)
Open-concept basements? Total game-changer. They feel bigger, brighter, and way more connected. You don’t have to knock down every wall, but removing unnecessary barriers between spaces can go a long way.
Think:
- A bar area that flows into a lounge space
- A home office with a windowed partition or built-in shelving as a divider
- A guest suite that still feels accessible and part of the space
The more open your basement feels, the less it’ll feel like a bunker.
Step 6: Keep It Comfortable—Temperature Matters
This one’s underrated. Basements can run cooler than the rest of your house (thanks, physics), so we plan for that during the build.
Here’s how to make sure your basement feels as cozy as it looks:
- Add heating zones or radiant floor heating
- Use proper insulation during finishing (seriously, don’t skip this)
- Choose soft materials like area rugs, curtains, and plush upholstery to warm it up visually and physically
When your basement is the same temp as the rest of your house, it’s way easier to actually enjoy it.
Step 7: Don’t Forget the Little Things
Want your basement to feel like home? It’s in the details.
- Use matching outlet covers and switch plates
- Continue your upstairs trim and door style
- Coordinate paint colors (you can go darker, just don’t go rogue)
- Add a scent diffuser or candle—yes, really
At Hawthorne, We Design Basements That Belong
We don’t do cookie-cutter finishes or “eh, good enough” design. We believe your basement should feel like it’s always been part of your home—just another room you love, not one you tolerate.
Whether you want a cozy second living room, a killer guest suite, or an entire hangout level for the whole fam, we’ll make sure it looks and feels like it fits.
Ready to Make Your Basement Feel Like a Part of Your Home?
We’re in. Let’s create your dream, design, and build a finished basement that flows, functions, and looks like it belongs—because it does.
And yes, we’ll make sure the lighting is good.
