This Moody Basement Before & After Is Simply Jaw-Dropping

Morgan Goldberg · June 14, 2022

Moody dark basement with built-in shelving, warm wood seating, and minimalist styling in black and cream

As co-founder and CEO of Havenly, Lee Mayer knows a thing or two about interior design. But she also knows that two heads are better than one, especially when it comes to designing a spacious open-concept basement with zero style identity.

“Everything was just… beige,” deadpans Lee, noting the tonal carpet and walls. “And while we loved how big the basement was — perfect for three boys under the age of six — there was no clear focal point or separation of space.”

So, Mayer tapped Havenly VP of Design Shelby Girard to help her create a fun and purposeful basement fit for family hangouts, Netflix binges, and schoolwork alike. “I knew we wanted specific spaces to lounge, unwind, and watch Friday night movies as a family, as well as areas for the boys to play and tackle homework,” she says.

Setting the Stage

Before

Design board featuring caramel leather, black accents, natural textures, and minimalist accessories

After

Modern basement nook with caramel leather sofa, navy accent wall, and natural wood styling

The duo’s first order of business was to set the stage, so to speak. They ripped out the old, worn carpet and replaced it with a lighter, modern loop-style version, and painted the walls a mix of crisp white and Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. “A big myth in design is to go with neutral walls when there’s no natural light,” explains Shelby. “Do the opposite! Embrace dark and moody paint colors to create a more intimate and cozy ambiance.”

Creating Separate “Rooms”

Contemporary basement lounge with dark navy walls, caramel seating, and black sculptural accents

The different hues also help create separate “rooms,” so to speak. Midnight blue defines the living area, which is anchored by well-curated open storage and a shiplap accent wall. “There’s a lot of debate in design about how to gracefully include a TV,” Shelby admits. “I love this trick of using a dark accent wall to blend the TV to the space—especially when flanked by DIY shelving to create the appearance of built-ins.”

Minimalist workspace with white shelving, natural textures, and neutral earth-tone styling

Beyond the back of the sofa, bright white walls represent the beginning of the kids’ zone. To ensure there was enough open space for playing, Shelby decided to craft a DIY desk with an IKEA floating shelf in a tucked-back recess. The place is complete with two metal counter stools and task lamps that encourage focused work. “Don’t forget to add shelving above a homework station to maximize storage,” she recommends. “Style them with baskets or bins to stash markers, school supplies, and toys and create a sense of visual calm.”

Layering in Coziness

Cozy dark basement with black shiplap walls, warm leather seating, and botanical greenery accents

Sophisticated dark basement lounge with navy walls, camel sofa, woven textures, and gallery art

Lee and Shelby intentionally contrasted the dark surfaces with warm, natural textures and soft white tones. A sink-right-in leather Article sectional is paired with a variety of plush throw pillows, a braided jute pouf, and a speckled area rug. “Even with existing carpet, the rug still does its job fully and makes this design feel comfy, bright, and layered,” describes Shelby.

The end result is a beautiful basement that manages to perform multiple jobs at once. “My family and I absolutely love our basement makeover,” Lee gushes. “It’s cozy, comfortable, and equal parts kid-friendly and adult-cool — perfect for Paw Patrol on repeat, or wine and the latest cheesy Netflix rom-com.” It doesn’t get any better than that.

Shop the Space:

1. Chill White Media Console // 2. Iddings Counter Stool // 3. Simon Ivory Wool Pillow // 4. Black Mudcloth Artwork // 5. Mello Taos Tan Sectional // 6. Braided Jute Pouf // 7. Tillie Wool Pillow // 8. Virginia Sin Overhand Knot // 9. Madyn Pillow

Ready to give your own basement the same treatment?

Turning a beige, no-personality basement into a space your family actually wants to hang out in comes down to paint, zoning, and a few intentional splurges, exactly what Lee's redo pulled off. A Havenly designer can map out that same kind of plan for your own space.

Take the Havenly style quiz — it takes 10 minutes and matches you with a designer who'll build a full basement plan, from paint color to furniture layout.

Not ready to commit? Try Havenly AI — snap a photo of your basement and see it reimagined with a moodier, better-zoned layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What paint color works best for a basement with no natural light?

Skip the neutral-walls myth. A dark, moody color like Benjamin Moore Hale Navy can make a light-starved basement feel more intentional and cozy, not smaller, especially paired with warm lighting.

How do you divide an open basement into separate zones without adding walls?

Let paint color and furniture placement do the work. A dark accent wall can anchor a living area, while a lighter wall and a dedicated desk mark off a kids' zone or office nook.

Can I add a rug to a basement that already has wall-to-wall carpet?

Yes. Layering a flatter, lower-pile rug right over existing carpet still adds texture and definition to a seating area without a full flooring swap or added cost.

How do I make a family basement feel both kid-friendly and stylish?

Mix durable, practical pieces, like a leather sectional and washable pillows, with a few elevated touches, like sculptural lighting or a gallery wall, so it doesn't read as an afterthought room.

Do I need to paint the whole basement dark to get this look?

No. One accent wall or a single zone is enough to set a moody tone. Keep the rest of the space lighter so the room still feels open, not like a cave.

Is a dark basement a bad idea if I'm worried about resale value?

Not if it's done with paint rather than permanent finishes. Paint is easy to change before a sale, and a basement with a clear design point of view tends to photograph better than a beige, undefined one.