We’re back with our weekly basement update—if you missed the previous progress, check out where we left off. This week we focused on a few straightforward improvements that make a big visual difference: we painted the built-in cabinet, added art, obscured the semi-sheer panels on our armoires, and introduced a collection of storage bins to bring order to everything we keep down there (with plenty of room for future finds). Here’s a concise look at what we changed and why it matters.
First, a big thank-you to the folks at True Value for supporting this round of projects with a generous gift card. Their contribution covered the paint for the built-in and several storage containers that helped us maximize both armoires and the space beneath the small Ikea table by the door. The basement has never looked this refreshed—honestly, even the spiders seemed impressed.
One of the most immediate upgrades was painting the dingy built-in wall cabinet. We used a crisp white semi-gloss to brighten the space and give the cabinet a clean, almost-new appearance. A few coats transformed the tired wood into a fresh, durable surface that now complements the nearby Ikea desk. Paint is one of those inexpensive updates that yields a huge return in terms of light and perceived quality.
Next, we addressed the semi-sheer panels on the two wardrobes we recently picked up. With one armoire storing our oversized Christmas tree bag and the other housing an array of bins (many still empty), the colors bleeding through the door panes looked busy and unbalanced—especially the large red tree bag. To solve this, we bought two rolls of green-and-white wrapping paper from Target, cut each roll down the middle to create four panels, trimmed them to size, and attached them to the inside of each door with double-sided tape.
The result: an instant pop of coordinated color and pattern that shows gently through the semi-sheer panes, adding texture and cohesion to the room. The entire tweak cost about $6 and left enough paper for a few presents—proof that small, inexpensive touches can change the feel of a space dramatically.
We also introduced artwork to help tie the room together. A large black-and-white framed print leans above the table near the window and complements the rug’s black stripes, while a long framed piece above one armoire (a thoughtful gift that spells our last name using photographed objects) fits perfectly with the updated palette. Because our basement has cinder block walls that are notoriously difficult to anchor into, we used Command Picture Hanging Strips to hang the long frame. They’re essentially heavy-duty adhesive strips that stick to the wall and the back of the frame, offering a no-screw, no-drill solution. The trick is to adhere the wall-side pieces first, press firmly for a minute, let them “cure” for an hour, and then attach the matching pieces on the frame. The result was a secure, frustration-free installation—no masonry anchors required.
On the organization front, we consolidated holiday and seasonal items into a few large bins. Two green bins under the window table now hold our Christmas decorations, which used to be scattered across kitchen cabinets, under-bed boxes, and closet shelves. Having these items gathered in a single, labeled place is a surprisingly satisfying change and makes seasonal decorating far less of a scavenger hunt.
We’re far from finished: next on the list are window treatments for privacy, a screen to conceal the unattractive water heater, and a storage solution for the freshly painted built-in cabinet. We’ll share those updates as they happen. In the meantime, what projects do you have that are halfway done? We’d love to hear about the improvements you’ve started but haven’t yet completed—after all, we can certainly relate to that feeling.
Psst—if you want a full view of our basement makeover from the beginning, you can revisit the first post, the second post, the third post, the fourth post, and the fifth post for the whole story.