17 Things That Will Transform Your Basement From Cold to Cozy

Allergic to dogs or cats? Who cares! With these cute cushions you can have a snuggly friend in the basement without the itchy consequences – and no having to pick up after Rufus.

The custom silkscreen pillows ($108 each) are made by Etsy seller Shannon Broder of Broderpress who makes a host of other cool animal pillows in her New York studio.

OK, so this white blob isn’t the most design-forward piece of furniture, but it’s all about comfort when you’re adding warmth down below, and the Ivory Furlicious Faux-Fur Eco-Lounger ($249) delivers.

Light up this metallic candle and watch everyone gravitate towards its interesting shape. Fire immediately evokes warmth, which is exactly what you want in a basement! This one is $9 through West Elm.

Made in Portugal, the Woof Mug is cast in warm terracotta and then finished with a clear glaze. It’s the perfect size for a hefty cup of coffee, tea or warm cocoa. As these mugs are handmade, each one ends up with a slightly different character. Because steamy beverages are required on cold winter nights, hit up Casa Cubista to order yours for just under $10.

Stella, a gold metallic Deco panel ($60 to $109 at West Elm), is made of 100% cotton and will add major chic factor downstairs. Layering textiles is almost always a good idea when you want to warm up a room.

Small basement windows? Fake it by draping these beauties near the ceiling over a dinky window to get the desired billowy effect.

Whoa, this is smart. The Anthology Sit & Store Folding Ottoman in Tufted Aqua from Bed, Bath and Beyond basically does everything except give you a massage. You can sit on it, rest your feet on it, store some slippers in the pockets and use the interior to hide stuff. Plus it folds for easy storage when not in use. Did we mention it’s only $15?

Forget scattering itty-bitty tea lights throughout the basement – place a stunning gold tea-light candelabra ($88) on a table to really make a point. You may be hanging in a subterranean space but your digs are still red-hot luxurious.

So many basements have harsh fluorescent lights (shudder) or pot lights that are immediately mood-killing. We suggest leaving those off and weaving in some simple floor lamps instead. They don’t have to be fancy, they just have to emit a soft glow. We’re cheering for IKEA’s Holmo Lamp, which boasts a cool paper shade and at only $10 is the deal of the century.

Whether it’s birch-wrapped candles or rustic pine crates for storing doodads, wood is the way to go when you’re trying to stave off the sterile.

Joss and Main’s 6 x 9 Garibaldi shag rug, $258, will add ultimate comfort to your space and keep the toes nice and toasty if your basement doesn’t have heated floors. We love the touch of glimmer from the rug’s silvery sheen.

Girl, we feel you. When we’re hanging in the basement on frigid winter nights, we want to wrap ourselves in merino wool. This pale grey beauty, $40, ships from Lithuania through Etsy shop Woolexperts (or hit up other Etsy sellers for a similar product).

If you’re not familiar with Glerups, have we got a new obsession for you. Our enthusiasm comes from personal experience. Introduced in Denmark in 1993, Glerups are pure wool slippers with leather soles and great support. Think super-comfy indoor shoe. They come in a bunch of colours and styles (slipper, shoe and boot) and are the best when your feet need heat. They start at $90 through The Australian Boot Company.

We know this isn’t exactly something you can do lickety-split, but if you’re planning to spend lots of time in your basement then a fireplace is a wonderful investment. We love everything going on here, including the wood-stove-looking fireplace (of course) but also the books and the bean-bag chair. Super comfy!

Remember that small bean bag chair in the previous image? That was for beginner loungers. This big brown blob is for folks who really know how to waste an afternoon. Once you climb into this spongy goodness, it’s hard to extract yourself.

Buy the Big Joe 7-Foot XXL Fuf in Comfort Suede chair for $468 through Amazon.

White walls can look sterile at the best of times and in the basement, they are particularly chilly. Have some fun with textured grass-cloth or similar wall coverings. The market is filled with wood-grain varieties, or go for brick for an immediately warm effect, as seen here in this basement that features Graham and Brown’s Hemingway red brick wallpaper.

Think texture, texture, texture in the basement. Baskets are perfect because you can store stuff in them and they look pretty. We’re digging this modern, two-toned Bungalow Rose Seagrass Basket from Wayfair, $76.

There’s nothing like a furry pal to quell the coldness. We highly suggest adding one to your family for marathon snuggles on the couch. They’re the best decor, ever.