Finishing off a basement is a great choice for homeowners. It makes more use of your entire house, it doesn't require costly additions because the space is already there, and it adds value to your home. For those who live in warm climates, a basement provides a cool relief from the heat. For people in cold climates, spreading out activities into the basement allows family members to escape the enclosed "cabin fever" feeling of snowy months. The first thing to decide when refinishing a basement is how you will use the space, then follow good design rules to make the most of that space.
How will you use your basement rooms?
The following are ideas for the different types of rooms you may want in your basement.
- Office
- Movie theater
- Rec room for entertainment
- Family room
- Extra bedroom(s)
- Exercise/sports area
- Bathroom
- Wine cellar
- Bar
- Second kitchen
- Storage
- Hobby room
- Kids' play zone
- Music room
- Laundry/utility room
When deciding what rooms you want, think about which ones will require being near windows and which ones do not. An office, family room, and bedroom all demand windows, while an exercise room, movie theater, bathroom, and other spaces do not. Once you know what rooms you want and whether or not they will need windows, you will start to formulate the layout of the basement. Ranches generally have more basement space while two-story homes have less. If you have a smaller basement, dividing the space up too much is not in your best interest. Find rooms that can have multi-functions, such as an office and hobby or craft room, or storage and utility room. Also consider dividing the space visually instead of with walls. Use furniture or a change in wall color.
Good Elements to Incorporate into Your Basement Design
There are a number of obstacles to putting living space in your basement. Part of it is simply not to feel that you are "underground". This can be done by using light and bright colors and plenty of lighting. Consider putting in white woodwork and accenting it with either light colors, such as pale blue and tan, or bright colors, such as electric green and golden yellow. You shouldn't worry about having the basement space match the rest of your home's interior. If you have low ceilings, incorporate both lamps and recessed lighting. Another way to make the rooms brighter is by using mirrors to open the space and bounce light around the room. Frosted glass doors between rooms allow privacy but lets the light spill in.
The basement environment generally needs to be modified to make it feel more livable. If your basement is damp, dehumidifiers can clear up the air. There are also paints that are made especially for sealing out moisture. Tile floors are your best bet to keep from getting moldy carpets, although throw rugs will help soften up the look. To make the inevitable pipes and beams disappear, paint them the same color as the ceiling. To elongate stubby windows, hang curtains outside the window frame and include more fabric than fits the window, so that when the curtains are closed it gives the appearance of larger windows. To grasp more light in a room with high windows, buy furnishings such as bar-height tables and chairs that give you a boost and allow you to see out the windows. If you live in the north and want to use the basement in the winter, you will have to install some kind of heating device, such as a fireplace or zonal heating.
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