1) Flatten the Ceiling - We will remove as many bulkheads as possible, and move the remaining bulkheads to the walls where possible. We will use pot lights throughout the basement, and probably hang the bathroom vanity lights on the wall on both sides of the mirror. We obviously will not install crown moulding. I have read differing opinions for the ceiling paint (i.e. matte versus glossy), so will probably just stick with matte there.
2) Light Colours - We will probably use light/bright colours throughout the basement.
3) Vertical Stripes - We really are not stripe people or wallpaper people, but I have seen some rooms with stripes that look pretty good. This might work for us, but I'm not totally sold that it would help with visual height of the ceiling.
Source: The Lennox
Source: Domino Mag
4) High Wainscoting - I would like to use wainscoting in the basement bathroom, so we may do tall (i.e. higher than chair rail) wainscotting as part of a white bathroom.
Source: Hampton Design via Rambling Renovators
5) Ensuite Bathroom - We had planned to make the bathroom accessible through the bedroom for space reasons, but we are now thinking of using this "ensuite" concept to add space to the rooms as well. By coordinating colours (same colour for walls?) and cabinetry (matching built-in bedroom wardrobes to bathroom vanity?), we hope to make the two rooms blend into one. I hope to even have a double-door entry into the bathroom, but space constraints may not allow this.
6) Add Height to Windows - Our basement windows are quite large, and we actually increased the height of two windows while replacing them. We might try to enhance this further with window treatments.
7) Tall Furniture - The built-in wardrobes in the bedroom will be floor-to-ceiling with narrow doors. We will also lean towards thin, tall furniture when looking for a media unit for the family room, dresser for the bedroom, etc.
Any other ideas? Any thoughts on what is truly effective in making a ceiling look taller (#1 goal) and space feel bigger (#2 goal)?
