Decorating and Design - Need Creative Unfinished Cement Ideas

I just moved into a rental house with a large basement. I can't do anything too drastic with the walls (no plaster, etc.) but I thought maybe there are some ideas for creatively using the bare concrete. Maybe some industrial look? I'd like to gete rid of the chalky surface if possible.

Acid etching, staining, and sealing of concrete floors is a recent trend. If living in a rental, the investment may outweigh the benefits. A less expensive option would be to simply seal the concrete floor with a penetrating sealer to prevent the chalking. Sitting and other areas can be defined by furniture arrangement and area rugs. There are also masonry sealers for walls. Some are white and can go a long way toward making basement walls look brighter as well as offer the benefit of sealing out vapor emissions.