How to Get Your Basement Lighting Right

Basements are the ultimate blank canvas. Should you go with a man cave or a family room? An entertaining zone or an extra living space? No matter what purpose you choose, for the basement to truly be a part of the home, you need to light it that way. Tossing in a few lamps just won’t do the trick. Basements have their own special challenges, like low ceilings and a lack of windows, which make proper lighting especially important. But how do you get it? Here are some ideas that will help brighten any basement area.

Just because a basement is underground doesn’t mean it needs to feel dark and damp. In this example, sconces placed high on the back wall give the illusion of higher ceilings. And the tall decorative floor lamp helps the space feel cozy and well thought out.


The most common type of lighting in a basement is recessed. But, like in the rest of your home, the lighting should be layered, with ambient light augmented by task lighting and accent lighting.

Pendants are a great source of task lighting, as seen here in the pool table and bar.


The pendants here come in a variety of shapes and sizes, adding a dramatic quality. The cove lighting makes the space glow and not feel so dungeonesque.


In a basement it’s common to lower the ceiling and install recessed can lights. For a more modern touch, and to make the space feel airier, consider peeling back the ceiling in places and running track lights along the exposed joists.


Another creative way to add lighting to a basement without losing ceiling height is by consigning electrical and plumbing lines to a soffit that runs around the perimeter of the room. You can insert recessed cans into the soffit or affix surface-mounted fixtures to the side. (Both tactics are shown here.) This approach lets you raise the ceiling in the center of the room, which you can then light with floor or task lamps to create a sense of intimacy.


Not everyone is lucky enough to have high ceilings like these in their basement. If you are, create a cozy vibe with task lighting over seating areas (or entertaining areas, as was done here). A chandelier above a table or a pendant above a bar will make each space feel more intimate.


Confine lower-hanging fixtures to the areas above tables, bars, pool tables and such, where you will never have to walk underneath them and worry about bumping your head.


I love the idea of a coffered ceiling with lights placed at the intersections. It highlights the architecture and is functional as well. You get that open feeling, but there are still channels for electrical runs throughout.

Interesting light fixtures above the bar create that homey feel that every lived-in space begs for.

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