Genius Trick To Mimic Natural Light In A Windowless Basement

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While there are worse things than a gloomy, dark basement, it is close to the top of the ‘creepy list’. Basements usually aren’t at the top of our home-improvement lists either. Once all the rooms are finished, however, the basement can still be transformed. It can be used as a bar, hangout, or additional living space. Basements can be “The spot” in the house where teens, kids, and adults can hang, especially in the hot days of summer. Basements are often lacking in warmth and welcome due to the lack of natural lighting. 

You can also install track lighting, can lights or lamps. These options would help improve the feeling of a dark basement. Reddit user @ZZbrew shared his solution to a dark and dingy basement that’s pure genius.

How to mimic widows in a basement without windows

@ZZbrew posted, “I wanted natural light in a basement that has no windows. Two windows from the past were purchased for $10. Painted them, frosted the glass, installed them into my wall with 12” LED flat panel lights behind them. Now it’s always 2 pm at the basement bar.”

This solution is cheaper than installing windows in your basement. It also closely mimics natural light. It might even fool some house guests.   

In the picture, it looks like a normal, finished basement, complete with can lights and other DIY projects, like a guitar rack made from old shutters. The poster is obviously a DIY expert, but the window project can be done by anyone.

Get the Look for You

@ZZbrew stated that two windows were purchased for $10. He eventually found identical windows in an abandoned salvage yard. You can find old window panes at thrift shops, salvage yards and flea markets.

Krylon frosting sprayTo achieve the soft, diffused look of the light sources, he used several coats. He also used a weathered faux wood stainTo match the basement’s other windows. The 12″ LED flat panel lightsAccording to @ZZbrew they were wired together using an on/off toggle switch. Although the LED lights are the most expensive part, they are a cost-effective solution to a common problem.

And that’s it! This is a simple, inexpensive, and genius way of making your basement (or any other room without windows) more welcoming and warm.