How to Make Your Basement Less Spooky

Turn on just about any horror movie, and you’re guaranteed to see a creepy basement somewhere during the runtime. Fear of basements is real—and with all the dark, dank, shadowy, spider-infested basements out there, it’s not hard to see why.

But your basement doesn’t have to be the spookiest place in your house. With these tricks, you can turn your basement from a spine-tingling horror scene to a peaceful, cozy oasis. Or, if you’re ready to just get the heck out of dodge and move to a creepy-basement-free home, contact the experts at Wheaton World Wide Moving—we’re here to help!

Get Rid of Stuff

In most homes, the basement is where all the unused, unwanted, out-of-season items are tossed. After a few years, it’s easy to lose grasp of just what’s down there, and old belongings become dusty, shadowy and downright horror movie-worthy. Plus, the stress of knowing you should purge your unwanted goods only adds to the basement’s psychological horror.

The first step to a pleasant basement is to sort through your basement belongings and downsize. Organize items into piles like “donate,” “trash” and “give away” to friends, family or Buy Nothing groups. It’s okay to keep some items, but if you haven’t used them in a few years, consider letting them go so you can reclaim space and peace of mind in your basement.

Organize

Once you’ve sorted what’s worth keeping from what’s hitting the curb, organize the leftovers so they feel tidy and in their place. We recommend investing in organizers like shelving and storage bins. Group related items together—the camping equipment on one shelf, the Christmas decorations on another. When everything’s in its place, it’s less likely to cause stress and become unfamiliar over time.

Remove Mold and Mildew

Many basements suffer from excess moisture and poor ventilation, so it’s important to check for mold and mildew on a regular basis. If you spot these hazards, here’s how to deal with them so they no longer plague your space:

How to Clean Mold

1. Eliminate moisture. Fix leaks, seal cracks and run a dehumidifier to reduce the level of moisture in your basement.
2. Use protective gear. Before you start, gather goggles, a face mask and rubber gloves. If you’re removing affected materials, have heavy-duty contractor bags on hand.
3. Remove moldy/rotten materials. If you have wooden shelving, drywall or carpeting with mold, tear it out and seal it in heavy-duty trash bags.
4. Spray an anti-mold cleaner. Use a commercial product like Concrobium or a natural alternative like vinegar and baking soda. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
5. Scrub the mold using a brush and a cloth. You might not be able to remove the stain, but vigorous scrubbing will remove the mold itself. Allow the cleaned area to dry completely.
6. Repaint. Once you’re confident that the mold is gone, you can cover the area with a mold-resistant paint to prevent mold from returning.

Eliminating mold is a serious process, and it’s necessary to make your basement less horrifying. If you’re unsure about mold in your basement, consult a professional.

How to Clean Mildew

1. Wash the surface. Dilute vinegar or dish detergent into warm water and use it to wash the mildew off the surface.
2. Try sanding. If you’re still left with stubborn mildew after washing, use 150-grit sandpaper to sand it away.
3. Wash fabrics. For any clothes, bedding, towels or other soft goods affected by mildew, wash them with detergent and hot water then hang them outside to dry if possible.
4. Repaint. Once you’ve tackled the mildew, you can repaint the area if necessary. Keep moisture levels controlled going forward to prevent future issues.

Clean Concrete Floors

Nothing screams “asylum” like bare, dirty concrete floors. Making that cold slab of concrete a little more inviting is a great first step towards reducing a basement’s terror factor.

Start by vacuuming or sweeping the bare floor to remove the first layer of dirt and dust. Shop vacs are excellent tools for this process, since they can easily pick up rusty screws, spare change and other—often ickier—debris you’ll discover while cleaning.

Then, make a cleaning solution with warm water, detergent and ammonia. Be sure to use rubber gloves when handling ammonia! With this mixture, mop the floor, then scrub stubborn stains with a nylon brush if necessary. Be patient—this process may take a few rounds.

Once the floor is clean, consider painting it to brighten up the space. We recommend using a heavy-duty primer or concrete-specific paint so the color will last. Finally, add an area rug or carpet to lend the basement that warm and cozy feel.

Improve the Lighting

Say goodbye to the single pull-cord hanging bulb, swaying at the slightest hint of a breeze (or something more sinister…). Let in the natural light where possible and add multiple lamps with warm-toned bulbs to increase the comfort factor in your creepy basement. Choose a stylish shade for that single hanging bulb, and consider additional ornamental lights like track lighting, light bars and other fixtures.

Redecorate

Filling the space with soft, colorful items can instantly change a room’s mood. Repaint in soothing or energizing paint colors, hang up fun posters or art prints and fill shelves with real or fake plants. Repurpose an old sofa, TV and coffee table to create a new family room for movie nights—and don’t skimp on the throw pillows. Play music and light candles or use essential oil diffusers to engage your senses of hearing and scent, too.

The more time you spend in your newly cozy basement, the less spooky it feels. Getting to know the space will reduce feelings of unfamiliarity or insecurity, both of which lead to that “creepy space” feeling in the back of your mind. Take a few minutes each time you swap the laundry to sit in the space and relax. In time, you can retrain your mind to see the basement as a space you actually want to spend time in.

The Spookiest Thing of All: Moving Your Stuff

Perhaps the scariest part of your basement is the idea of having to move it all someday. Luckily, the expert movers at Wheaton World Wide are ready to help. From packing to specialty boxes to storage in transit, we’re full-service movers ready to take the horror out of moving.

Looking at your basement and not sure where to start? Ready to leave the scary basement and creepy attic behind in favor of a fright-free home? Request an estimate, and we can help make every aspect of your move feel more manageable.