We’re back with our weekly basement update — here’s where we left off — and this time we tackled the bare-bulb ceiling fixture by dressing it up with a polished linen shade. We also picked up a vertical bike rack (on sale) since our cinder block walls make drilling for heavy hooks impractical, and received a surprise 5 x 8 rug from Flor thanks to their carpet tiles. There’s still more to do—add window privacy, paint the built-in cabinet by the bikes, build a screen to hide the water heater, and a few other finishing touches—but here’s what the room looks like now with the new DIY light, budget bike rack, and a cheerful area rug:
Flor generously sent a rug as part of a collaboration we’re doing with them this week, and they’re also sponsoring a giveaway for one reader to win a free area rug. We chose the Ascot Stripe tiles because they’re durable, playful, and easy to install. The tiles include little sticky circles that secure the corners together from underneath, which made the whole process fast and seamless.
The result is neat and secure — the tiles lock together cleanly and stay put, so the rug looks like one continuous piece rather than a patchwork of squares.
Now about the bike rack. We wanted a solution that stored bikes vertically to save floor space and add visual interest to the back wall. Because our cinder block walls make anchoring hardware difficult, we needed a freestanding option. A reader suggested this particular rack — thanks Lauren! — and to our luck it was on sale at Target for $39 (down from $49). We grabbed it and immediately got both bikes off the floor. It has an industrial-chic vibe and does exactly what we hoped.
The lamp shade also came from Target. We were drawn to the roomy linen look, simple profile, and budget-friendly price. For about twenty-five dollars we brought it home, removed the bare bulb, slid the shade’s metal ring over the bulb, then screwed the bulb back into the ceiling fixture. It’s the same concept as putting a shade on a table lamp, but applied to a ceiling light. The transformation is immediate — much cleaner and more finished than the previous bare bulb.
Here’s a detail shot showing the shade’s metal ring slipped over the bulb and secured when the bulb is screwed back into the overhead socket. It’s an easy trick that makes a big visual difference. We used the same technique in the den to dress up a ceiling fan as well.
So that’s the current status of the basement. We’ll be addressing the windows and the water heater screen soon, plus organizing everything into the armoires we installed last week. When we open those doors, we’ll share the organizing details and the storage solutions we choose, including containers, bins, and labels for corralling all the odds and ends.
On that note, what are your favorite organizing tools? Do you prefer clear plastic bins so contents are visible, or opaque bins for a tidier look? Wire baskets, fabric boxes, colorful cardboard — what works best for you? Share your go-to storage accessories and tips — we’re collecting ideas as we finalize the basement setup.