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How To Finish Your Basement Without Using Drywall

If you’re like me, you look down at your basement and find endless opportunities for renovation. If the basement isn’t finished, and you don’t want to go with the traditional drywall installation, don’t fret; you have options. Let’s talk a bit about how to finish your basement without using drywall.

You can finish a basement even without the use of drywall. By looking at alternative panels for your basement walls, such as pre-cut wall panels, plaster walls, wahoo, plywood panels and other alternatives, you can bring a different vibe and aesthetic feel to your basement.

Tired of your old drywall solutions? Let’s take a look at the alternatives!

Alternatives To Drywall

There are many reasons why people prefer drywall. Aside from its very speedy installation processes, drywall is also fire resistant, and it is very cost-effective. However, drywall is also not very durable and is vulnerable to water and humidity.

Additionally, drywall is notoriously prone to damage. The professionals install it best, but many do the work themselves. And since basements are most often in very humid conditions due to their lack of natural light, drywall in basements is not considered the best and brightest idea out there.

The problems you may encounter inspired us to compile a list that showcases the possible alternatives to drywall. Do know that not all of them are necessarily better, and you must always take personal preference into account. Without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?

Note: This post may contain affiliate links which will take you to online retailers that sell products and services. If you click on one and buy something, I may earn from qualifying purchases. See my Affiliate Disclosure for more details.

Pre-cut Wall Panels

Pre-cut wall panels offer you the flexibility and the aesthetics to back it up. They are also not as susceptible to damage from humid conditions and are considered much more durable than drywall. Painting them is also an excellent option to enhance aesthetics.

However perfect pre-cut wall panels may be, they also come with their downsides. Pre-cut wall panels are costly in comparison to drywall. So unless you have some cash to burn for some pre-cut wall panels, expect to look the other way. 

Exposed Concrete Texture

Want a simple, rustic look for your walls while having the wall still have some personality? Exposed concrete walls are famous for having an industrial look that neo-interior designers often prefer. They are most commonly used in office buildings or cafes, but who’s stopping you from making your basement feel like a cafe, right?

Exposed concrete walls also have the added benefits of being able to jive with any aesthetic design choices you may have in the future. So if you are planning to look for suitable alternatives to drywall, consider this one.

Plaster Walls

Before drywall was a big thing, plaster was the king. By mixing plaster and narrow strips of wood, commonly known as laths, you can achieve that old aesthetic in your basement. (3)

Exposed Brick Walls

If the exposed concrete wall was up your alley but was just not one hundred percent right for you, consider just exposing your brick walls for your basement to have a classic look. Not only are they much cheaper, but they are also more environmentally friendly. So for the green guys out there, consider brick walls for a try. 

Wahoo Walls

Do you want to have a quick, fire-resistant, and waterproof alternative? Try considering wahoo walls for your next basement renovation. Not only do wahoo walls (as silly as the name sounds) all have those resistances and have a faster installation period, but wahoo walls also make your basement look beautiful and modern.

Plywood Wall Panels

Now this one is cheap. If installed properly, plywood wall panels can also be exquisite. They are easy to install and are relatively easy to find too.

You need to know about plywood wall panels, though, because they are not water lovers at all. If you find your basement too humid, then maybe plywood wall panels are not suitable for you just yet. So unless you use a decent dehumidifier (all the time), then forgo the wood walls.

Wooden Planks

Is the cabin in the woods vibe the right vibe for you? With wooden planks, you’ll be able to turn your basement into something new and transform it into a wood cabin style of space!

Embrace your Basement; Even Without the Panels!

Many people often point out that panels are an absolute necessity if you want to have a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing room. However, I believe that embracing the nuances your basement has is an even better solution.

We have compiled a small list of tips for you that helps you embrace and improve upon your basement. And yes, you can do this even without wall panels!

  1. Distract

The first step is to create a focal point whenever you enter your basement. Maybe having a home office with eye candy of a table will do– or install cheap LED lights. No matter what you do, as long as you lift your focus away from your walls and into something else, you can make your space feel beautiful. (4)

One way people do this is also through the installation of a television or an aquarium. These immediately shift the field of view and attract possible visitors, and even yourself into looking!

  1. Paint White.

Okay, it is not a necessity to paint your walls white. However, painting your walls white may help emulate natural light and may make your basement less gloomy. Additionally, white paint also encourages you to be cleaner as any signs of dirt may appear very jarring under a white background.

However, if white is just not your cup of tea, you can paint it with other colors. As long as it fits with your design palette, then pretty sure you’ll get yourself a beautiful basement.

  1. Keep the ceiling exposed.

Embrace the ceiling. Embrace all the electrical wirings within your basement. Paint over them.

There are many ways for you to embrace the possible pipes or the floors you have for a ceiling in your basement. You may find this jarring, but believe me, with the right paint, these pipes and wires may come off as a design choice, making your basement look industrial and modern.

  1. Furnish

Beautiful walls are nice and all, but what if you can relocate the budget from these walls into beautiful furniture? Not only is furniture move-able, but they also feel a bit more tangible compared to walls. Additionally, furniture can also be used more than just a design choice but also as something productive– like a table, perhaps.

Three Drywall Questions You May Want To Ask

  1. Is drywall permanent?

Although drywall may not be the most durable, especially in the hands of the wrong hobbyist, drywall is considered permanent. However, most problems drywalls have are very fix-able and are easy to repair. 

2. Should I install drywall myself?

You can install drywall yourself if you know what you’re doing. As long as you do not know enough or are not trained to install drywall, it would be best to leave all of the work to the professionals.

Since drywall is a permanent structure, please (and I cannot stress this enough) contact a professional to install it for you as they can ensure that your drywall will be durable and not knick an electrical line in the wall, causing a fire in your home.

  1. What can I do to alleviate the humidity in my basement?

Basements are underground rooms that rarely often see the light of day. Though this may be beneficial at times, most often, this leaves your basement feeling humid. And do note that humid rooms are very prone to molds that can make you sick.

To make your basement cooler and less prone to molds, install a dehumidifier on your basement. Dehumidifiers are the simplest and most effective solution for keeping the humidity down in your basement, no matter what you use to finish the walls.