Use light colors in a low-ceiling basement to create an open feeling.
When you are designing a basement with a low ceiling, the oppressive feeling can cause difficulty in making a livable, usable space. As you plan a design, examine ways that you can establish an open atmosphere and create the illusion of additional vertical height to draw the eye upward.
Uplighting
To increase the perceived height of a low ceiling in a basement, use lights that point upward. You can install small spotlights, wall sconces or track lighting that can be adjusted to point up. The Patriot Home Remodeling and Repair website suggests that lights be placed above eye level so that the light does not interfere with your line of vision. Additional light on the highest part of the room draws the eye up and creates the illusion of additional vertical space.
