Your unfinished basement or attic is looking better already, now that you have addressed the ceiling and the walls. It’s lighter and brighter, and it’s going to keep getting better.
It’s time to decide on the type of flooring you want for the space. Should you install wall-to-wall carpet, tile, wood floors, or laminate? Each of these options work great, but they do take time, money, and a lot of energy. You may decide to go ahead with one of these options in an attic, but one or more could prove problematic in a basement, since there may not be a sub-floor.
Carpet will work, even over a concrete floor, especially if you spring for thick, heavy-duty padding. On the other hand, you could use padded carpet tiles. They are simple to install, they provide warmth, softness, and comfort, and they look great. Carpet tiles are very affordable, and they come in as many styles and colors as traditional carpet. The added benefit is the money you’ll save by not having to hire someone to install wall-to-wall carpet.
If you don’t want to do carpet or other standard flooring, this is another area where paint is your friend. You can purchase paint that is specially formulated for floors. It “cures” to a nice hard finish. You can also add a protective top coat, if you desire. Again, it is a good idea to use a bright color, especially in a basement where you don’t get much natural light. You may want to use the same color you used for the ceiling or the walls.
If you’re afraid the floor will be too cold and hard, you can always add nice, thick area rugs to soften things up a bit. Area rugs also help define separate areas, for example if one section is going to a playroom, and another is going to be an office. They also work great for anchoring a seating area.