I felt that way about my finished basement, until I decide to give it a face lift. First thing I did was buy some daylight LED light which helped to make the room look less lifeless. Then I painted the walls from a dull beige color to a beautiful and bright aqua color. I chose semi gloss because it reflects light better. Then I re-arranged the entertainment center and chair and my exercise equipment and bought a new computer desk. The basement is large so I use part of the end for storage and put my exercise equipment behind some Japanese folding screen doors.
We just finally got around to doing it over New Years weekend, and I am madly in love with a room that I hated for 3 years. I actually spent hours there last night and the night before. Before, I would go work out there for 45 minutes and come out feeling more depressed than before I went down. It looked cluttered and so dull. It has two small windows that only get the afternoon sun for maybe an hour or two. Now it looks bright and cheery and I don’t feel sluggish when I’m there for long. It’s even great for guest now.
When we first moving in here, I loved the bones of the house and the floors and how clean it was but I hated the kitchen. It was the first thing I tackled. I made it bright and lively, by getting new counter tops, and adding textile to the walls above the counters and painting the dull brown cabinets white and the eat in section blue.
Then for my dinning room and living room I chose a warm yellow. We had our bedroom and stairwell and hall painted the aqua color. My bathroom is white and blue. I did this all withing a three year span but we kept putting off the basement. Now, I feel happy in every room I walk into.
If you already have great colors, it could be the poor lighting in your home. Open your blinds or invest in great lighting. Do get the LED Daylight lighting I suggested. It takes away all the yellowish undertones that regular bulbs have. Bright white is not the same. It has to say DAYLIGHT. BTW, it is also way brighter for your outdoor lights. If your porch light seems dim, try the 75 daylight bulb. It shines further and the led uses less wattage than a regular bulb and doesn’t get hot. It’s a little pricey but its worth it not having to worry about wasting so much power and being able to feel like you aren’t stuck in a dull yellow world.