• Basements can be dark and offer little natural light, especially in older homes that have smaller windows. You can give that dark and dreary basement a new appearance simply by adding a fresh coat of paint. The key, however, is picking the right color to give the basement a new look. There are several options for colors that may work well in your basement.
  
  

White, Off-White or Cream

• Applying a white, off-white or cream paint will brighten any basement. These colors work exceptionally well for basements that have extremely small windows. If the carpet is dark, these colors will complement the flooring and still provide a light, airy feeling in the room.
  
  

Pale Yellow

• Yellow is always a good option for basements, since it will give the room the illusion of sunlight--something many basements lack. When choosing a yellow paint, consider a lighter, pale yellow as opposed to one that is darker with a lot of gold. Dark yellow paints can make the room not only look smaller, but less bright than what you probably want. Accessorize with furniture that is red, white and blue.
  
  

Shades of Blue

• Just like yellow, shades of blue also will give a dark basement an illusion of natural light. Soft blue or baby blue will remind the eye of the daylight sky. Trim the blue walls with white baseboards and pale yellow curtains, and you will bring the sky indoors.
  
  

Light Gray

• Light gray can offer your basement a sophisticated look without making it look too dark. Light gray has become a very trendy color for walls, not only in upstairs rooms, but in the basement, as well. Accessorize your light gray walls with shades of red and pink curtains, and you have a vivid contrast of colors that complement each other.