Oh, what a journey it has been! We are absolutely thrilled to finally unveil our **basement bedroom reveals** – a project that taught us so much more than just design. Our vision was to create spaces that felt clean, simple, and modern, yet infused with a subtle touch of traditional elegance. The result? Something truly unique and deeply personal, offering a serene escape for anyone who stays.

It might sound strange, but transforming our basement genuinely provided some profound life lessons. This past month was a whirlwind of decision-making, from selecting paint colors to choosing the perfect fixtures. The sheer intensity of the process eventually led me to an unexpected pause. I found myself stepping back from the constant work on the basement. These basement bedroom reveals are incredibly significant to us, representing countless hours and a significant investment of effort and emotion. Yet, the final outcome isn’t exactly what we first envisioned; it’s something better, something different, shaped by experience and a shift in perspective.
I know, that might sound a little confusing, but bear with me. The truth is, I’m not a natural designer. It’s simply not my passion. My comfort zone lies in crafting the most incredible culinary creations – like my Melt in Your Mouth Buttermilk Pancakes, which I highly recommend trying! But home design? That’s a different story. It often brings me stress, doesn’t come easily, and the thought of spending a fortune on decor can be daunting.
Despite my reservations, we felt a deep-seated inspiration to finish our basement. It wasn’t just about adding extra living space; it was a feeling that truly resonated with us around Christmas. So, we decided to cast aside our hesitations, dive in headfirst, and embrace the challenge. This transformation wasn’t merely a renovation; it became a journey of growth, discovery, and learning to let go of perfectionism.
Before we delve deeper into the design details, we must give a huge shout-out to Becky Kimball, our wonderfully talented photographer, who captured the essence and beauty of these rooms so perfectly.

Partnering with Park City Blinds and Design: A Turning Point
As the structural work progressed and it was time to move into the design phase for filling the rooms, a familiar wave of stress began to creep in. I seriously considered halting the entire process. The burden of making countless aesthetic decisions felt overwhelming. Then, almost like an answer to a prayer, we discovered Park City Blinds and Design. Their expertise and beautiful work instantly captivated us. If you’re seeking design inspiration, do yourselves a favor and follow them on Instagram – their feed is a treasure trove of stunning ideas. A trip to their gorgeous showroom in Park City completely revitalized our spirits and ignited our creative energy.
During our visit, we didn’t just find inspiration; we learned an incredible amount. But to truly understand the significance of one particular lesson, I need to take you back in time for a moment.
The Heartbreaking Story of Elsie Mahe and the Importance of Cordless Blinds
The decision regarding our window coverings was deeply personal and incredibly important to us. There was a sweet little toddler named Elsie Mahe, who lived in our neighborhood with her darling family, including her dad who coaches BYU football. Tragically, this precious girl accidentally got a cord from a blind wrapped around her neck and passed away. This incident was incredibly heartbreaking for our entire community and left an indelible mark. Throughout our basement renovation, this tragedy was a constant reminder, reinforcing my conviction that our basement blinds, and eventually all the blinds in our home, absolutely had to be cordless. It’s a goal I’m still working towards for our entire house, knowing it will take time, but the safety of our family and any guests is paramount.
This personal experience led us to prioritize safety from the outset, starting with the window coverings. It was during this quest for safe and stylish solutions that we learned a crucial lesson I had never truly understood before.

The Undeniable Value of High-Quality Window Coverings
Like many people, I’ve always been drawn to a good deal. However, I quickly learned that when it comes to home decor, especially window treatments, compromising on quality can significantly detract from the overall aesthetic of a room. Cheap curtain rods or ill-fitting blinds can make even the most thoughtfully designed space look less refined and pulled together. A quick search online confirmed what I was seeing – quality makes a huge difference. Furthermore, we had previously experienced the frustration of buying and attempting to install blinds ourselves, only to find they rarely fit perfectly or looked truly custom. So, when Park City Blinds and Design offered to come out, accurately measure, custom-fit, and professionally install the blinds, I was completely on board!
Their team proved to be exceptionally skilled, guiding us through the myriad of options for colors, textures, and brands. They helped us select choices that were the perfect fit for our modern, yet traditional, aesthetic – nothing exorbitantly expensive, but certainly not the cheapest options that would compromise quality or durability. We sought materials that would stand the test of time, an important consideration for us. Investing in high-quality window coverings not only enhanced the visual appeal of our basement bedrooms but also ensured longevity and seamless functionality, providing peace of mind knowing they were safe and built to last.
Once we made the pivotal decision about the windows, everything else started to fall into place effortlessly. We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Park City Blinds and Design, not just for the stunning final product, but for their invaluable expertise and commitment to safety. The blinds themselves are a marvel of modern design – you can effortlessly push and pull them with just one hand, offering a simple, clean, and beautifully functional solution.

For one particular bedroom, we opted to line the blinds because it faces a direction that receives a significant amount of morning light. This lining helps to control the brightness and maintain a comfortable sleeping environment. The other rooms were kept deliberately simple, allowing the natural light to create an open and airy feel. While the blinds were the starting point for this specific room, the charming side table actually came next. I had originally purchased it for another area, but fell in love with how perfectly it fit here. It not only provides a convenient spot for guests to place their belongings but also elegantly breaks up the expansive wall, adding visual interest and functionality.

The Honest Truth About Our Bed Frame
In the spirit of complete transparency, I have to admit that the bed frame isn’t our absolute favorite. While it looks stylish, it wasn’t the easiest to assemble and isn’t as sturdy as we would have hoped. If the setup hadn’t been such a monumental hassle, I likely would have replaced it by now. However, what truly makes up for this minor disappointment are the sheets and bedding – they are absolutely worth every penny and transform the sleeping experience.
Our Journey to Finding the Best Sheets: Sweet Sheets
The quest for the perfect sheets was an extensive one. We polled our followers on social media and tried out several different brands and styles, many of which left us feeling underwhelmed. Then, we discovered **Sweet Sheets**, and it was a complete game-changer! Seriously, these are the softest sheets we have ever owned. What truly sets them apart is their incredible durability; they haven’t pilled or stretched even a tiny bit, despite numerous washes. It’s a genuine win in our book, ensuring a consistently luxurious feel for our guests.
Beyond their exceptional quality, Sweet Sheets offers a fantastic variety of colors, moving beyond the standard white. This means you can easily find the perfect hue to complement your room’s decor and personal style, adding another layer of customization and comfort for any guest.

And speaking of charming touches, oh my goodness, the “stay awhile” signs! I am utterly obsessed with them. We are diligently working to load these into our upcoming online shop as soon as possible – that’s right, we’re creating a curated shop where you’ll be able to easily purchase all of our favorite home items anytime! These signs are a collaborative effort between the wonderful Etsy shop, SK Wood Designs, and Cade and I. Our goal was to create pieces that were simple, clean, and elegant, yet immediately conveyed a sense of warmth and welcome, ensuring our guests feel right at home and at ease from the moment they step into the room.
Exclusive Discount Code for Oh Sweet Basil Readers!
As a special treat, Kim from SK Wood Designs has generously offered all our incredible Oh Sweet Basil readers a fantastic 10% discount on their beautiful creations! Simply use the code **OHSWEETBASIL10** at checkout to snag your own charming signs or other personalized items.

The Charm of Our All-Wood Letter Board
This beautiful all-wood letter board is another new favorite addition to our guest rooms. We’ve all seen the standard plastic letter boards everywhere, so when we stumbled upon this unique, high-quality wooden version from **Emerie Lane**, we were incredibly excited! It adds such a charming, bespoke touch to the room. It’s so much fun to leave personalized messages, inspiring quotes, or even practical information like our guest Wi-Fi access code for visitors. It’s a small detail that makes a big impact on the guest experience, making them feel thoughtfully catered to. You absolutely should snag one for your own home or guest space!

Do you see that subtle grey dome resting on the bedside table? That’s our secret weapon for a truly peaceful night’s sleep: a Dohm sound machine. Every single one of us in our family has one in our own bedrooms because it miraculously drowns out those notoriously early, crazy 4 AM birds. We figured our guests, sleeping in an unfamiliar place, would also benefit immensely from a little soothing white noise, ensuring they get the restful sleep they deserve.

Our bedside lights turned out to be a total win, both in terms of style and budget. We originally spotted them on a local Facebook marketplace, but they are classic pieces originally from West Elm. To install them in a unique and incredibly affordable way, we simply threaded their cords through a minimal wood bracket from Ikea, which cost a mere $5! This clever hack provides a custom, high-end look without the designer price tag, proving that beautiful design doesn’t always have to break the bank.
Now, we arrive at the most important part of this reveal – the realization that the outcome isn’t what I originally expected, and I couldn’t be happier about it. If I were a professional designer, I would have meticulously styled those side tables, chosen the perfect rug, added more intricate artwork, and layered on a selection of fun, decorative pillows. But I didn’t do any of that. And you know what? I’m genuinely glad.
Embracing the Art of Letting Go
After dedicating considerable time to tirelessly searching websites and scouring stores for what I believed were the “perfect” pieces, and feeling the immense stress of not finding exactly what I envisioned, I had a profound realization. I noticed I was spending far too much time on decor and not enough time truly connecting with my family. In a swift, liberating decision, I ditched the relentless pursuit of perfection. And I have zero regrets.
The rooms are entirely livable, functional, and perfectly charming just the way they are. I’ve learned that I don’t need every last detail to be “finished” or picture-perfect to feel happy and content. What truly brings me joy and fulfillment is my family, our connections, and the moments we share. Perhaps one day, if I serendipitously stumble upon some fantastic pieces that feel right, I’ll consider adding them. But until then, I am perfectly content with the beautiful, imperfect spaces we’ve created. This renovation journey taught me the profound value of letting go of unrealistic expectations and embracing the beauty of simplicity and presence.
Please feel free to scroll through the links below to shop some of our favorite items. And we’d love for you to drop your own links in the comments if you have any suggestions for pieces you think would work wonderfully in these spaces! We’re always open to new ideas.








Shop Our Basement Bedrooms
Beds & Bedding
- Black Iron Bed – Joss and Main
- Upholstered Bed – Wayfair
- Grey Bedding – H&M Home
- White Sheets – Sweet Sheets (Our absolute favorite for softness and durability!)
- Grey Pillows – Ikea
- Soft White Pillow – Home Goods
- Pink Accent Pillows – Target
- Similar Blue Pillow
- White Duvet – Target
- Grey Throw Blanket – Target
Wall Art & Lighting
- Similar Wall Painting – Wayfair
- “Stay Awhile” Wooden Signs – SK Wood Designs (Don’t forget code **OHSWEETBASIL10** for 10% off!)
- Glass Globe Pendant Lights – West Elm (Original source, found on Facebook Marketplace)
- Black Round Mirror – Urban Outfitters
- Hanging Plants – Ikea
- White Plant Pots – Ikea
- Hanging Macrame Wall Decor
Premium Window Coverings
- Park City Blinds and Design – Alta Cordless Woven Woods (Color: Mali Tan)
Essential Furnishings & Accessories
- Side Table – Similar Item
- Woven Storage Basket – Amazon
- White Table Lamp – At Home
- Green Decorative Vase – At Home
- All-Wood Letter Board – Emerie Lane
- Dohm White Noise Sound Machine
- Side Table in White Room – Similar Item
- Side Table in Grey Room – Home Goods
- Gold Accent Lamp – Home Goods