The Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivray

Doesn’t this basement apartment feel like a New York loft? A bulky bookcase would take up valuable floor space, but white open shelves disappear into the background.

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A basement fireplace gets a clean bill of health with white paint and a new mantel. Modern couches and a graphic rug add cool factor.

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A high, bright basement can handle a wall of pure pattern, so don’t be afraid to get bold.

This sophisticated space, with its glam kitchen and pulled-from-Pinterest barn door, shakes up the stereotypical basement apartment.

A cozy loveseat and outdoor-inspired side chair create a small seating area grounded by the bold rug which draws the eye in.

Puns aside, this wooden accent wall is like a totally cool update on the paneled rec rooms of the seventies.

Yes, that’s a small kitchen, but look closer. There’s storage above the sofa, and built-ins all along the wall. Add modern decor and you’ve got the perfect pied a terre.

A black, panelled wall isn’t the first thing you think of when decorating a basement dining room, but this space proves that a big impact isn’t off limits.

The chair rail brings the eye up, making this basement seem taller. A darker colour on the top half adds contrast.

If it wasn’t for the basement-size windows, you’d never know this classic living room was underground — but the windows feel five feet tall thanks to floor-to-ceiling drapery.

Want to makesa small space feel put together in a hurry? Choose a palette and stick to it, like this yellow, black and neutral living room.

This is basically the most zen basement, ever. We love that sliding wooden screen for extra privacy.

The rolled arm sofa and nailhead-trim chairs say traditional, even a little bit formal. But the glass and bamboo coffee table says things aren’t always what they seem.

When you’re dealing with the typical basement windows, it can be tricky to figure out how to arrange larger scale art. Let Scott and his team do the thinking for you — low-hanging art is the way to go.

Placing the couch so the back is to the kitchen makes the entire space feel bigger, and creates the feeling of a separate living room.

A sleek daybed turns the office into a guest bedroom without sacrificing the space.

A light, neutral palette makes a basement apartment seem brighter. Just add a few accents in a soft pattern (like the chair and ottoman here) and you’ve got a finished space.

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