I'm moving the next few days and have the green light from the landlord to paint the basement walls (which is my rod room). I know I should do a bright color, but that's it past that point. The basement is unfinished, and as a subcontractor I do work for the guy, so I can "get away" with more than what regular tenants could.

So I'm wondering what color/sheen for the walls, and what other things should I look to do?

Miles,
Only one color to paint a rod room. Floor, walls and ceiling --- all bright white.

Bright white reflects light. The paint will make any of the lights in the room, even brighter and give you better illumination.

With a white floor - it will be easy to see dropped micro guides. It will also give you the opportunity to wash the floor every evening in order to keep the white floor clean.

But, if all possible, insulate and sheathe the walls with sheetrock, before painting.

Good luck

Along with what Roger has said I would suggest insulation to keep the place warm in cold weather some electrical work with plugs all over You will probably need them Do it right and once

Bill - willierods.com

I realize that you are a renter, but perhaps if you agree to do the work right, the landlord will buy the materials and reduce your rental for your work labor.

Be safe

Roger brings up a good point
Being a RENTER and you don't own the place
Check it out and see if It is warm for the winter weather -- Does it have enough plugs for you

Sellers are nice but not that nice Be careful and try to do with what you have White walls are a sure good choose in color

Bill - willierods.com

Is there a certain "white" color or just the brightest I can get?

The white floors are a great idea.

The basement has a vent, but just one which isn't enough. So with insulation being mentioned, what exactly does that mean? The only barrier right now is concrete foundation, and there ARE small windows near the top of the walls.

I refinish/install/repair Harwood floors as a subcontractor, and I have done enough work for the landlord that he said I can fix anything to improve and he will reimburse me accordingly.

The basement is in "4" sections, laundry area, what will be a woodworking area, rod room, and area going to the upstairs. I plan on walling off rod room to some degree so sawdust ect. will not effect my products. This is a step I have not taken as my laundry room was where I did woodworking and rod building. Since the process of moving has begun...... I've had to do a lot of dusting.....

Miles,
The optimum thing to do, is to build a stud wall that is placed next to the concrete wall, nailed to the floor and to the ceiling joists. Then, put insulation between the studs, and wire up the basement by drilling holes through the studs and stringing wire as needed. Wire the circuits into the breaker panel and add outlets as needed.

Place a plastic vapor barrier over the studs, and then hang and finish sheet rock with tape, spatula, sanding and painting. A coat or two of primer and then a couple of coats of bright white paint.

When you do the stud walls, you can also build the stud walled room for the rod building at the same time. Then, wire every thing, then sheet rock and finish everything.

Good luck

Lots of good advice here. I just moved and am in the process of building my rod room as well. I've been blessed with a basement that's over 1000 square feet. I'm currently planning on a 13'x16' rod building room which is almost twice the size of my old one. It will be insulated on all 4 walls, have plenty of outlets and lights, and be painted white. I am not using drywall though. I will be using 1/2" plywood for my walls so that I can hang/attach anywhere I want without the hassle of having to use studs or drywall anchors.

jeremy

I would suggest a Dust or dirty room where you have a window to put an exhaust fan in for all you sanding and lath work

Bill - willierods.com