Best Modern Basement Paint Colors: Paint Colors 2024

A fresh coat of paint can breathe life into a drab basement. When choosing the best basement paint colors, there are a few things you need to consider. Basements typically have less natural light than the rest of the house. Because of this, you’ll want to avoid dark paint as it only makes the space feel smaller and more oppressive.

You’ll also want to steer clear of bright white, as this can give the space a sterile feel. Instead, opt for light and airy colors to help open up the space. With that in mind, here are a few of our favorite modern basement paint colors.

Our Top Picks for Best Basement Paint Colors

With thousands of paint color hues, sorting through basement paint color ideas can be overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of our top picks for paint colors for basement walls to help you get started. From cozy and warm to bright and cheerful, the best paint colors for finished basement walls will be available.

Each color featured here is available as peel-and-stick samples. They are a no-mess way to sample basement paint color ideas to find the color that best suits your space and style.

Considering hiring a painting contractor? Check out our house painting cost estimator to be sure you’re not overpaying for a professional painting contractor or to estimate the amount of paint to buy.

Basement Paint Color Ideas by Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams has various paint color options when browsing basement paint color ideas. Whether you’re looking for something bright and cheery or dark and cozy, there’s sure to be a perfect color for your basement.

Reflection (7661)

Sherwin-Williams Reflection (7661) is a light gray paint color with hints of blue and green perfect for basement paint color ideas. It has a calming effect and can help to brighten up the space. It is versatile and can be used in various spaces and settings. If you’re looking for a light and airy basement paint color, Reflection is a great choice.

Light French Gray (0055)

Sherwin-Williams Light French Gray (0055) is an excellent paint color for your basement. The light gray color creates an expansive and inviting feeling in a space. Additionally, it’s good at hiding any blemishes on the walls or ceiling. This makes it an ideal choice of colors for versatile use in any basement area.

Rainwashed (6211)

Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed (6211) is a light blue paint that has Trace amounts of green visible. This shade is perfect for achieving a bright basement while maintaining a refreshing feeling. The green pigmentation makes small confined areas appear more open and inviting. It can also help cover any blemishes or cracks on the wall or ceiling.

North Star (6246)

Sherwin-Williams North Star (6246) is a light, airy gray paint with a hint of blue. It’s perfect for creating relaxation in your basement by providing an expansive and welcoming feeling. The light gray color also does well in hiding any wall or ceiling blemishes you want to avoid. With its versatile nature, North Star is ideal for any basement space look you’re going for.

Repose Gray (7015)

Repose Gray (7015) is a beautiful light gray paint perfect for your basement. The light gray color is perfect for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Repose Gray is perfect for any basement space.

Lullaby (9136)

Sherwin-Williams Lullaby (9136) is a beautiful light blue paint perfect for your basement. The light blue color is ideal for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Sherwin-Williams Lullaby paint is perfect for brightening a dark basement.

Felted Wool (9171)

Sherwin Williams Felted Wool (9171) is a beautiful medium brownish-gray paint perfect for your basement. The medium-tone paint color is ideal for making spaces feel cozy and can help hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Sherwin Williams’ Felted Wool paint is perfect for your basement.

Evening Shadow (7662)

Sherwin-Williams Evening Shadow (7662) is a beautiful light gray paint perfect for your basement. The light gray color is perfect for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Evening Shadow is perfect for any basement space.

Intellectual Gray (7045)

Sherwin-Williams Intellectual Gray (7045) is a beautiful medium brownish-gray paint perfect for your basement. The brownish hue is perfect for making spaces feel more open and inviting, complements many flooring types, and can help hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Sherwin-Williams Intellectual Gray is perfect for any basement space.

Evergreen Fog (9130)

Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog (9130) is a light, airy green paint with a hint of gray. It’s perfect for creating a bright and cheerful feeling in your basement. According to interior designers, Evergreen Fog is one of the best neutral paint colors. It’s a perfect balance for making smaller spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling.

Silverpointe (7653)

Sherwin-Williams Silverpointe (7653) is a light, airy gray paint with a hint of blue. It’s perfect for creating a modern and sleek feeling in your basement. The gray color is perfect for making smaller spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. The photo below shows Silverpointe on the living room walls with white trim and a coffered ceiling.

Comfort Gray (6205)

Sherwin-Williams Comfort Gray (6205) is the perfect color for creating a modern and sleek feeling in your basement. The light gray color is ideal for making smaller spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. The photo below shows Comfort Gray on the family room walls with white trim and a tray ceiling.

Sea Salt (6204)

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt (6204) is a light, airy gray paint with a hint of green. It’s perfect for creating a modern and sleek feeling in your basement. The light gray color is ideal for making smaller spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling.

Iron Ore (7069)

Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore (7069) is the perfect paint color for your basement. The deep green color with a hint of brown will create a cozy and warm feeling in your space. It is also great for making smaller spaces feel more intimate. Darker shades like Iron Ore are great for an accent wall, home theater, or man cave with a basement bar.

Needlepoint Navy (0032)

Sherwin-Williams Needlepoint Navy (0032) is a dark blue paint with a hint of navy and gray. It’s perfect for creating a cozy and warm feeling in your basement, mainly if the space is used for an accent wall or in a home theater. The deep blue color makes smaller spaces feel more intimate and can help hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling.

Cityscape (7067)

Sherwin-Williams Cityscape (7067) is a light, airy green paint with a hint of blue. It’s perfect for creating a bright and cheerful feeling in your basement. The gray-green color is ideal for making smaller spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling.

Basement Paint Color Ideas by Benjamin Moore

These Benjamin Moore paint colors will make your old basement a stunning area for your family to hang out or entertain family and friends. Here are some basement paint color ideas that are sure to inspire you.

Revere Pewter (HC-172)

Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter (HC-172) paint is a beautiful neutral tan-gray paint perfect for your basement. The neutral color is perfect for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter paint is perfect for your basement.

Seersucker Suit (CSP-580)

Benjamin Moore’s Seersucker Suit (CSP-580) is the perfect paint color for your basement. A light blue creates an expansive and inviting feeling in a space. Additionally, it’s good at hiding any blemishes on the walls or ceiling. This makes it an ideal choice of colors for versatile use in any basement area. With its bright and airy color, Benjamin Moore’s Seersucker Suit paint is perfect for your basement.

Balboa Mist (1549)

Balboa Mist (1549) is a neutral beige paint perfect for your basement. The color is perfect for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Balboa Mist is perfect for any basement space.

Boothbay Gray (HC-165)

Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray (HC-165) is a beautiful gray paint perfect for your basement. The gray color is perfect for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Benjamin Moore’s Boothbay Gray paint is perfect for your basement.

Sea Pine (AC-17)

Benjamin Moore’s Sea Pine (AC-17) is the perfect paint color for your basement. It is a light green that helps to create a calm and inviting feeling in any space. Additionally, it is good at hiding any blemishes on the walls or ceiling. This makes it an ideal choice of colors for versatile use in any basement area. With its calm and subdued color, Benjamin Moore’s Sea Pine paint is perfect for your basement.

Bracken Slate (CW-690)

Benjamin Moore’s Bracken Slate (CW-690) is a deep gray paint perfect for your basement. The gray color is perfect for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Benjamin Moore’s Bracken Slate paint is perfect for your basement.

Van Deusen Blue (HC-156)

Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is a beautiful blue paint that is perfect for your basement. The blue color is ideal for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. Van Deusen Blue is perfect for any basement space with its versatile color.

Pale Oak (OC-20)

Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (OC-20) paint is a beautiful light beige paint perfect for your basement. The light beige color is ideal for making spaces feel more open and inviting, and it can help to hide any imperfections in the walls or ceiling. With its versatile color, Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak paint is perfect for your basement.

Hale Navy (HC-154)

Hale Navy (HC-154) from Benjamin Moore is a stunning navy blue paint ideal for your basement. The color makes spaces feel more welcoming and open while concealing any wall or ceiling blemishes – perfect for any basement space!

Consider the Natural Light in Your Basement

When choosing basement paint colors, it’s essential to consider the amount of natural light in your basement. If you have a dark space, you’ll want to choose light colors to help brighten the room.

However, if your basement gets a fair amount of natural light, you can opt for dark colors without fear of the space feeling overly dreary.

You may also consider using satin paint to help reflect light and open the space. Whatever basement paint color you choose, be sure to test them out in the space before making a final decision.

Choose Light Colors to Reflect the Light

When choosing basement paint colors, it’s essential to choose lighter colors. This will help reflect the light and make the space more open and airy. Basements often have low ceilings and small windows, making the basement walls seem darker. You can offset this by choosing lighter basement color schemes.

Whites, creams, and pale blues and grays are all excellent choices. You can also add a pop of color with an accent wall. Just keep the rest of the space light and bright so the space feels cohesive.

Use lighter colors like soft grays in basement laundry rooms or a large space lacking natural light.

You can use artificial light from recessed LED lighting to help offset a lack of natural light in a dark room.

Use a Neutral Color Palette for a Versatile Space

Your basement is a versatile space that you can use for just about anything. Whether you’re looking to create a media room, lounge area, guest room, game room, family room, or playroom for the kids, there are endless possibilities. Neutral hues are always a good choice for basement paint colors.

Neutral colors are easy to work with and can be combined with any other color. They also have a calming effect, perfect for a basement since it’s often seen as a more relaxed space.

If you ever decide to sell your home, neutral basement paint colors will appeal to more buyers. So if you’re unsure what color to paint your basement, go with a neutral, and you can’t go wrong.

Experiment with Different Shades and Tints of Your Favorite Colors

If you’re looking for a way to experiment with color without making a big commitment, use a service like Samplize to purchase inexpensive peel-and-stick samples of your best paint colors without the mess of painting your basement walls.

Basements are typically darker and less lived-in than the rest of the house, so you can afford to go bolder with your color choices.

When choosing basement wall colors, consider both the light level in the space and the feeling you want to create. For a cozy basement retreat, opt for rich, warm tones. If you want to brighten and open the space, use light, airy colors. And don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades and tints of your favorite colors – you might be surprised at how much you like them!

Add an Accent Color for Interest and Personality

When choosing basement paint colors, you must consider the overall atmosphere you’re trying to create. Use warm tones like taupe or beige for a cozy and inviting space.

For a basement that doubles as a home office or playroom, brighter hues will help to energize the space. And if you’re going for a more industrial look, cool grays or even black can lend the room an air of sophistication.

No matter what your aesthetic, adding pops of color is a great way to inject some personality into your basement. Accent walls are always a striking option, or you could try painting built-ins or trim in a contrasting hue. With basement paint colors, the sky (or basement ceiling) is the limit!

Use Quality Paint like Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams

Trying to decide on the perfect basement paint color can be a daunting task. Knowing where to start with so many brands and colors is hard. However, some paint brands are better than others regarding basement painting.

Benjamin Moore, PPG, Farrow & Ball, and Sherwin Williams basement colors all produce high-quality paints that will give your basement a professional look. These brands also offer various colors, so you’ll find the perfect shade for your basement.

You can even take the peel-and-stick samples to your local paint store to discuss your basement paint color ideas with a paint color specialist.

Whichever brand you choose, get the best quality paint you can afford – your basement will thank you!

Get Creative with Your Basement Paint Color Ideas!

Regarding basement paint color ideas, the sky is the limit! You can use a bright, bold color scheme or opt for something more subdued. Basement paint colors can be as unique as you are. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are a few basement paint color ideas to get you started.

For a daring and dramatic look, try painting your basement walls a bold red or deep shade of blue or purple. You can add interest by using different tones of purple or by accenting with other colors like black or silver. This basement painting idea is sure to make a statement.

If you prefer a more subdued look, consider painting your basement walls a light gray. This color can create a calming and serene atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day. You can also experiment with shades of gray to find the perfect tone for your basement.

No matter what your style, there’s a basement painting idea that’s perfect for you. So get creative and have fun!

What color should I paint my basement?

When deciding on the color of a basement, it is important to consider the purpose of the space. Light and neutral colors like beige or light gray can make the basement brighter and more inviting.

Darker colors like navy or deep green can create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Ultimately, the choice of color depends on personal preference and the desired ambiance for the basement.

Conclusion

Choosing the right basement paint colors can be tricky, whether putting a new coat of paint on your finished basement walls or planning a basement renovation project of an unfinished basement.

Consider the overall tone you want to create and the amount of natural light in the space, and you should have no trouble picking the best basement paint colors.

For more, see our post on the Best Paint Color for a Basement With No Natural Light.