Strategically placing large items, including pieces of furniture, is a great way to hide problem areas and unsightly features in your basement. Large storage units, armoires, folding screens, large paintings, and freestanding bookshelves are perfect for this purpose.
Bookshelves
You can line an entire wall with bookshelves to hide the unfinished surface as well as to create extra storage. Bookshelves can also be used to create a “wall” to divide a large space into smaller, separate areas. This option works great between support posts. It makes the bookshelves seem as if they are built in and it also helps camouflage the posts, if you paint the shelves and the posts the same color.
Artwork
Hanging or leaning a large piece of artwork is a good way to hide large areas of wall space. Using several large pieces is even better. You can also suspend a painting or framed poster from the ceiling to create some visual separation between distinct areas, without making those spaces feel closed in. You don’t have to use your favorite pieces or purchase expensive new artwork, either. Posters and prints work well, and you can find other ideas in some of the previous articles regarding making your own artwork.
Screens
Folding screens can be very attractive and can sometimes work as art in and of themselves. They can also be quite functional. A large screen can be used to hide the water heater, furnace, or laundry area, or to separate the exercise area from the rest of the space and keep work out equipment out of sight when not in use. Another way to “screen” things from sight is to install a curtain rail or track on the ceiling. This creates a system similar to those used for privacy curtains in hospital rooms. This way, the curtain will block the view of the water heater, furnace, or laundry equipment, but you’ll still have easy access when necessary.