Gone are the days when people are content with using their basement just for storage and laundry, or keeping it dingy, dark, and musty. Homeowners are increasingly remodeling and finishing their basements, and if you’re one of those homeowners who is looking for some ideas and inspiration, a few simple changes can make a huge difference in the overall livability of the space.
Here are a few ideas to jumpstart your creativity and reimagine an underutilized finished basement.
Create separate spaces within the space.
Consider splitting up the basement into different spaces to enhance its usability, such as dividing it into half for entertainment and relaxing, and the other half for working.
If you still need part of the basement for storage and/or your laundry setup, consider building a new wall with a doorway and door to partition this utility part off from the “fun” part of the basement. If you don’t want to go as far as putting up full walls, a simple room divider can work wonders.
Lighting is everything.
Since basements aren’t typically renowned for their great natural lighting, you’ll have to add your own light sources to the basement. Recessed lighting is a great choice for basements. If you don’t have any windows in your basement or you only have small windows, consider installing some window-shaped LED box lights on the walls to give you the illusion of natural sunlight while using your basement.
Get rid of the tile.
Say goodbye to cold tile underfoot that makes doing laundry and, really, spending any amount of time in your basement unpleasant. But you don’t have to settle for carpet! Believe it or not, you can have beautiful hardwood flooring in your basement––even wide plank floors!––if you make the right selection. Adding radiant heat under the flooring (if it’s compatible with the specific flooring you select) can further enhance the comfiness of the flooring and therefore the space itself.
Make sure to select engineered wood flooring, especially if you’re planning to install wide plank floors. Engineered flooring is essential in below-grade environments like basements because they help protect the floor from moving too much in response to moisture fluctuations, which basements are more prone to.
Your contractor might also suggest a special underlayment to inhibit the absorption of moisture from the concrete slab.
Consider adding a guest bedroom.
Not enough space for your guests in the upper levels of your home? A basement could be a great place to add an additional guest bedroom with all of the trappings, especially if you install beautiful wide plank floors in the space. Paired with some smart decorating, your guests will feel right at home!
Create a “man cave”
Your basement could be a special place to get away… and hide away!
A TV, darts board, pool table, posters, beer mugs and even a whole bar, if you have the capacity, are great accessories for a “man-cave”.
Better yet, find a way to partition the spaces so everyone has their own separate space, including a “man cave,” “she-space,” and a playroom for the kids, if the space is big enough!
Get crafty.
The basement is a great place to test out your DIY skills. Why not craft some new items for your newly renovated space? Try something like this DIY pool table, a DIY take on the quintessential addition to any basement. Or keep it simple with some decor options such as DIY reupholstered seating options, shelving units, and art.
Looking for the perfect flooring to add to your basement? Contact us today for a quote.