Elevate Garages, Basements, and Laundry Rooms with a Paint Transformation
Paint is a home improvement wonder tool. It can do so much with little effort, and it doesn’t cost a lot so it’s a very accessible home improvement material. It’s often assumed that certain spaces of the home are just functional, and therefore style doesn’t really apply.
Why not? What’s stopping you from adding a fresh coat of paint to your basement, laundry room, or garage to make it a more inviting, “designed” space? As more people embrace the forgotten spaces of their homes, the design inspiration you can find is endless.
Basements and garages are usually more expensive to upgrade than other areas of the home. The materials cost a lot, and the surfaces must be able to withstand moisture and other elements. If your laundry room is in your basement or off your garage, the same considerations may apply.
Basement Garage Laundry Painting can be a game-changer for transforming often-overlooked areas of your home into vibrant, functional spaces. Whether you’re aiming to brighten up a dim basement, revamp a cluttered garage, or add a touch of style to your laundry room, a fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference. This simple yet impactful home improvement project not only enhances the visual appeal of these spaces but also adds value and functionality. In this guide, we’ll explore how strategic painting choices can elevate your basement, garage, and laundry room, turning them into stylish and inviting areas.
In this guide, we’ll look at each of these forgotten spaces and how you can transform them in many ways with a simple coat of paint.
Laundry Room Painting
Just because this is a functional space doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. In fact, you spend a lot of time in the laundry room, so it should be a space that you enjoy. A fresh coat of paint and some new décor can create the perfect look, no matter what you have in mind.
When painting a laundry room, you’ve got a few important considerations to keep in mind:
- Laundry rooms see a lot of moisture, heat, and dust. In addition to regular cleaning, you’ll also want to choose a paint that can withstand these elements and remain durable over time. Choose a satin or semi-gloss finish for its durability and washability.
- Depending on the size of your laundry room, you might want to brighten the space up a bit. A fresh coat of paint in a light color, such as a yellow or warm beige, can create a space that feels more open and airier.
- If you have colored laundry appliances (not black, white, or stainless steel), consider that in your wall color choice. A beautiful light green or blue laundry room would clash with a bright red washer and dryer, for example.
- Consider repainting the trim every time you paint the laundry room, as this space sees a lot of traffic, use, and environmental impact from dust and moisture. That way, the entire space looks fresh. Dust will often build up on horizontal surfaces like the tops of baseboards, door frames and window frames.
- Choose paint colors that feel good to you. You can find hundreds of articles about the “best” paint colors for every room of your home. These articles can serve as an excellent source of inspiration; however, the most important factor is if the color scheme is something you love for your home.
- As your laundry appliances on painting day, anticipate them being unusable for a day or two as you paint and give an appropriate amount of drying time. The room can then be put back together, but this is something to keep in mind.
Because a laundry room is a smaller space, you might feel like it will be easy to plan and execute the painting. You might even consider doing it yourself. They can make sure that you get the best paint, the best finish, and that the work is done right.
Painting Your Garage Interior
If you have a garage with finished walls, you’re missing a valuable opportunity if they’re just drywall or plywood and have never been painted. You can do a lot with a coat of paint, even if you’re just painting over wood instead of drywall. Of course, attached garages are very common in newer homes these days, which means they become an extension of the living space but are usually finished.
Painting the garage can allow you to create a more sophisticated space, get creative with your color choices, and even turn an unused area into somewhere where you can get things done, hang out with friends and family, or turn into your personal hobbies workshop.
Higher sheen paints like semi-gloss and satin are good in a garage because there’s not often a lack of natural light in garages. These products will do some heavy lifting to reflect light around the room. Garages see a lot more wear and tear, so this paint will be much easier to clean and less likely to hold on to dirt in the first place. It’s not uncommon for your garage to be a bit damp compared to the rest of the home, using a high-quality primer, as well as the higher sheen paint will create a moisture blocking barrier for your garage surfaces.
Darker colors in a garage can work, but only if you have windows and good lighting, or lighter accents. For example, you wouldn’t paint the garage a dark gray color without light furniture, a white or light-colored door, etc. There needs to be contrast, or you run the risk of dark colors making the space appear smaller and cramped.
Usually, people stick with neutral tones in the garage. That’s a good choice to keep things simple, but color can really do wonders if you are willing to take a chance. Do your research; look around online to get inspired by other people’s colorful garage designs.
Even if you just use your garage for parking the vehicles, storing the outdoor equipment, and doing the laundry, it can be a space that you enjoy being in and a coat of paint can be just the thing to do that.
Basement Painting
In the basement, paint can do a lot of different things. In unfinished spaces, paints designed to prevent moisture penetration can help make the space more livable and usable and even brighten things up compared to the old, damp concrete walls. In finished basements, updating the rooms with fresh paint can create a whole new look without breaking the bank.
Basements have another surface that often gets painted: the floor. If you have a concrete basement floor, you can have it painted with epoxy and other specialty products to create a dramatic finish, enhance the look of the room, and make the floor appear new and polished. It’s very important to make sure the product you put on the floor is designed to be walked on, otherwise you might find yourself repainting much more often than you expect.
Painting the floor can also offer protection from mold and moisture and increase safety when you use a slip-resistant finish. This alone can transform the space in ways you might not have imagined. From there, you can choose which other areas and surfaces to paint, as well as which colors to use.
What colors should you use in a basement? That’s an answer that’s just as varied as the colors you choose to use in the main part of your home. Some people might stick with white or light colors to brighten up the space, while others may choose bold and dark colors for a more dramatic appeal.
The function of your basement will also help inform the paint colors you choose. For example, you wouldn’t just go with a basic protective primer on basement walls when
you’re planning on using the space as an office. You’d want to pick a color that is inviting and makes you want to be productive and get things done. This usually means something neutral and not distracting.
As with the garage, dark colors can often make a basement feel closed in. Particularly if there are low ceilings, you will want to use paint to lighten and brighten the space. An open feeling basement is possible and can do wonders in making it a more enjoyable part of your home.
When To Paint Basements and Garages
Because of the proximity to the outdoors, basements and garages are much more susceptible to the elements and the weather than other rooms in your home. As such, it might not be a good idea to embark on a new painting project in the dampest season of the year. If you find yourself far up north in the winter, a garage or unfinished basement repaint is best put off until the weather warms up in the spring or summertime.
If your basement or garage is partially or fully finished, you’ll have less concern as to when you have the work done. This is because the outside elements are kept out thanks to all the weather proofing materials involved in finishing a basement.
If you have questions or concerns, talk to your local painting professionals. They’ll have insight and expertise that allows them to advise you on the best procedure, including the timing of your painting project.
Tips for Success with Forgotten Space Transformations
Painting alone might not create the results you desire for your space transformation. You’ll want to consider other small changes that you can make. Even something as simple as decluttering and cleaning up the space can go a long way in transforming your enjoyment and use of it.
Here are some tips to help you make sure that your painting transformation is a picture of success.
- These can be difficult spaces to design and use color with, so feel free to use online blogs to help you get inspired. Instagram and Facebook are also excellent sources of inspiration, hashtags like #interiordesign or #interiorpainting are great places to start. Plenty of people are getting creative in these areas and sharing their work, so you’ll find plenty of inspiration out there.
- Even unfinished basements and garages can benefit from painting. Specialty paints and epoxies can be used to paint the cement walls and floors and create a more finished, protected space.
- If your laundry is in the basement or garage, consider using a different paint color in the laundry area. This creates separation and allows you to have a little creativity in design with simple changes. An accent wall behind the washer and dryer in the garage, for example, could set the tone for a totally new space. Any shelving you have around your washer and dryer can be used to compliment your wall colors.
- Use paints that are designed for these spaces. Moisture is the biggest concern in all three areas, so you’ll want paints that are durable and designed to be used in garages, basements, and damp areas.
- Think about other small changes that you can make in addition to painting to enhance the space. Perhaps you’ve got a finished basement or a laundry room that has carpeting and you want to change that or add a rug to update the look at a lower cost.
- In all these spaces, you’ll want to choose color strategically to enhance the look of the room in as many ways as possible. Ceilings and floors are often forgotten spaces that can do wonders with a coat of paint. A white paint is a natural choice for ceilings.
- Tips for Success with Forgotten Space Transformations include strategic Basement Garage Laundry Painting to enhance and refresh these often-overlooked areas. A Basement Garage Laundry Painting project will bring a fresh vibe and a new life to your spaces.
Final Thoughts for Basement Garage Laundry Painting
These days, home renovation costs are through the roof. People can be paying three or four times as much to have the same projects done when compared to just a few years ago. Therefore, budget-friendly upgrades are always on the agenda. Painting is an affordable way to transform just about any space in your home, including the forgotten ones that often go untouched.
Consider the ways that you can update your basement, garage, or laundry room by adding a fresh coat of paint. Whether it’s to create a new space entirely or just to brighten things up and make the space more enjoyable, painting can do wonders and it’s a simple enough job when you hire the pros.
Depending on the size of the space, a Basement Garage Laundry Painting project may take as little as one day, or it could be a multi-day project. Certain elements in garages and basements must be worked around sometimes, often extending the painting timeline. This can be used as a good opportunity to go through some of those old boxes you have sitting around.
Embracing Basement Garage Laundry Painting as a transformative project can breathe new life into these often-neglected areas of your home. By selecting the right colors and finishes, you can enhance the functionality, aesthetics, and overall ambiance of your basement, garage, and laundry room.
If you’re ready to start upgrading these spaces in your home, reach out to Elite Trade Painting today. Whether you’re painting one or want to paint them all, we can come out and provide an estimate, walk you through the process, and help you create a space that your family will enjoy for years to come. Call us now to get started!