Beach House, Spring 2024

18 | Provincetown Independent | BEACH / HOUSE | Spring 2024
Bringing Light
to a Basement
Makeover
By Hannah Oakland
Cozy seating makes the lightest corner of the studio a focal point. (Photos by Hannah Oakland)
An expanse of white subway tile adds light to a windowless kitchenette.
When it comes to home renovation projects, sprucing up a basement falls
low on most people’s priority lists. To some degree this makes sense:
what could be more satisfying than having a long open room designated
for hucking boxes into? And on Cape Cod, basement mustiness can be hard to
banish. But so is that steady stream of summer visitors.
Those who are lucky enough to have a walk-out basement here might be
surprised by how livable even a small basement studio space can be — not just
for your aunt’s best friend’s cousin but for you and yours. Creating a relaxing
space for guests to have autonomy and privacy away from the rest of your
household will get everyone through their vacation peaceably. If you can include
even a simple, small kitchen and bathroom, you might even start to look forward
to the season.
The name of the game in a basement space is light. With windows at one
end, this 350-square-foot space held promise. To make that light seem to reach
farther into the rooms, a whitewashed vinyl plank floor with gray hues suggesting
driftwood replaced old industrial carpeting, and a dilapidated drop ceiling
was swapped out for a clean expanse of drywall.
A bright shared entryway provides a welcoming spot for guests to drop their
bags and not feel in the way as they settle in. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it,
adding splashes of color and pattern. Here, the blue and tan are an unconventional
way to adopt coastal hues.
In the windowless kitchenette, white subway tile running all the way to the
ceiling reflects light, while black grout pulls the eye in different directions, widening
the view. For the opposite wall, an earthy green connects the room to the
outdoors. Natural wood countertops enhance that organic feel.
When you’re working with a modest makeover budget, a few splurges on
higher-quality small but frequently used items, like the Stagg teapot and the
mini-induction range, go a long way to adding a feeling of luxury.
Space for lounging is tricky in a small studio like this. But offering two different
spots for sitting is a good trick — and make them comfy. A padded bench
at the foot of the bed provides a practical perch. The cozy oversize accent chair
invites guests to make the most appealing, light-filled corner in the space their
own — at least for a little while.
The entryway is the place to have fun with colors and patterns.
Opposite the tile, an earthy green connects
the space to the outdoors.
The name of
the game in a
basement space
is light.