Stunning Basement Wall Ideas

Turn your basement into a chic spot to chill with the simple addition of wall art. Artwork can take your basement from dark and bland to stylish and bold. We’ve teamed up with interior design experts to create the ultimate guide to basement wall ideas.

The Room Below Your Home

Don’t reserve trendy decor for the main level of your house, exclusively. Your lower level deserves some love too! Rather than wasting this precious space, transform your basement into a work of art. Select a vibrant print to contrast the shadowy atmosphere. With the right piece of artwork, you can use the industrial appearance of your basement to your advantage. A vivid piece of modern art will breathe new life into your basement.

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Basement Wall Art: Shapes

The first step when selecting artwork for your basement is to choose the right shape for your space. Reference our selection of canvas shapes and layouts below:

Stick with Tradition: The Single-Panel Rectangle or Single-Panel Square

Classic with a Trendy Twist: The Single-Panel Vertical Canvas or the Single-Panel Panoramic Canvas

A Sleek Statement: The Triptych Tri-Panel Canvas or the Symmetrical Five-Panel Canvas

Eye-Catching and Contemporary: The Split Two-Piece Canvas or the Four-Panel “Wave” Canvas

Fun and Funky: The 7-Piece Hexagonal Canvas Set

Basement Wall Art: Pro Tips

Before you hang your artwork, read through our article on how to hang wall art the right way: Below is an excerpt to get you started:

“Any designer will tell you that the most common mistake homeowners make, is hanging their art too high. Large wall art should be hung at eye level. While it may seem low at first glance, eye-level artwork is a longstanding gallery standard. Guests should not have to crane their necks to look at your prized prints. Your artwork should be in plain view, and blend seamlessly with the rest of your interior. If you’re hanging a piece of art above a sofa, leave no more than 6”-8” in between the top of the couch and the bottom of the print.

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Basement Wall Options: Sizes

After you decide on a shape, it’s time to do a little math. We’ve outlined a foolproof method of selecting your perfect dimensions in our ultimate size guide. View a preview below:

1. ON AN EMPTY WALL

Your wall art should take about 60% to 75% of the available empty wall space, the portion not covered by moldings or furniture. Measure the height and width of the wall. Now, multiply the measurements by both 0.6 and 0.75. As a result, you will get the range of canvas print sizes to suit the space.

For instance, if your blank wall is 9 feet tall and 5 feet wide, multiply 9 by 0.6 to get the low end of the ideal height range. Then multiply 9 by 0.75 to get the high end of the ideal height range. Do the same for your wall's 5 feet width. The ideal height of the canvas would be 5.4 feet - 6.75 feet and the ideal width would be 3 feet - 3.75 feet.

2. ABOVE FURNITURE

Wall art that you want to hang over furniture, such as a fireplace, a bed or a couch, should be between 2/3 and 3/4 of the furniture's width. To measure the ideal art size above your furniture, consider this example: If your couch is 6 feet wide, multiply it by 0.66 and 0.75. You need a canvas between 3.96 feet and 4.5 feet wide to fit impressively above the couch.

Basement Wall Art: Pro Tips

Check out another expert tip to ensure your wall art is hung like a pro:

“Don’t forget to leave enough room in between the edge of the wall and your canvas print. There should be at least a foot from where the wall ends, before your artwork begins. Hanging your art too close to the edge of the wall can make a space look cramped and disproportionate. Your interior should feel comfortable, so it’s important to avoid an unsettling layout. Give your home the greatest potential to feel open and welcoming.”

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Stylish Pictures for Basement Walls

In your basement, it’s all about doing more with less. That means you should select a few eye-catching statement pieces, rather than overwhelming your interior with clutter. Because of its industrial nature, your basement can easily look chaotic if you’re not intentional with your decor.

Minimalist Wall Decor

Select a minimalist print that will add dimension to your basement. Create a space within a space with our “Minimalist Architecture” collection. Curated by art director Tirzah Goodman, this group of prints is the perfect balance between trendy and timeless.

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Trending Color Schemes & Concepts

When it comes to color, choose shades that are light and bright to create optimal contrast. Consider combining both neutrals and colors, as seen in Pantone’s colors of the year: Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Gray.

Basement Wall Art: Pro Tips

ElephantStock's interior design expert Elimar Lobo Sáenz emphasizes yellow as a trend for 2024:

“Yellow, with its radiant charm, is the color of pure sunshine. When the summer season rolls around, this sunny color is always at the forefront of design trends. Yellow is said to represent happiness and a love of life and learning. This color exudes individuality and the desire for creativity and new ideas. Using yellow wall art will instantly invite warmth, happiness, and love into your home.”

Black and Beige Basement Ideas

Not keen on vibrant shades? Don’t fret! A neutral basement has its own special charm. Pair black with beige for a color combo that’s effortless and elegant.

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Extended Interior Design Topics

For more interior design topics, check out our comprehensive decor inspiration blog. Looking for additional basement wall ideas? This article will give you even more pointers on basement decorating. No matter how you decide to design your basement, wall art is the ultimate low-cost, low-commitment option. Happy decorating!

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