Sandi wrote in and asked:
“…You guys and your company take on a lot of basement spaces for yourselves, and for clients. What are some of the things you’d recommend considering, when taking on a basement renovation? We are just not sure where to start, and would absolutely love your help…”
One of our favorite projects we love to work on, are basements. Whether it’s the latest idea for a man cave {a fun project we’re working on now} or something the whole family can enjoy, with the booming real estate market, it’s definitely a smart move. Homeowners are looking at forgotten spaces with more potential for changing up their homes, and maximizing on square footage for the family. Often, these ideas include the basement for the perfect, multifunctional gathering spot. Here are a few elements to consider, to get those wheels turning when it comes to creating the perfect space.
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1. Basement Finishing Ideas: Have a Plan
Often, basements can be viewed as little challenging depending on support beams, poles, HVACs, electrical issues, and more. Thinking through your needs, and how your home can work with that, is a great place to begin when it comes to a plan.
For instance, use limitations like support poles as a strength, not a weakness. Work them into walls to become a part of the space, or wrap them well to give them structural interest.
Think creatively and start with an intentional plan to finish off the room. From family gathering rooms for movie nights to a secondary studio space or even a mother-in-law suite or a man-cave, basements are a great opportunity to bring in valuable to often overlooked square footage.
2. Basement Finishing Ideas: Bring Character to Those Ceilings
Just because it’s a basement, doesn’t mean it has to look like one. See: drop down ceiling. A ceiling is often overlooked in a basement, and going the extra mile, can be the first thing that makes it feel less like one. Traditional ceilings can be easy to patch up if a pipe needs to be accessed, which is rare.
Bringing in character when it comes to ceilings, like sectional board and batten can also be a great solution so that they can be accessed in sections, while still being attractive.
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3. Basement Finishing Ideas: Add Interest in Unexpected Ways
Gone are the days of dark paneling and drop down ceilings, so it’s time to bring in some character!
Areas like a fun patterned tile behind a kitchenette are a great opportunity to bring in personality in secondary spaces where they usually wouldn’t be used. Go bold with wallpaper because it’s not the main living space, but a great chance to have a little fun. Add interest in unexpected ways to finish it off.
4. Basement Finishing Ideas: Consider Furnishings That Multitask
As homeowners are finishing off more of these areas, they’re finding that these valuable spaces with more square footage, often need to serve many purposes.
Consider furnishings that multitask. A sofa can fold out into a bed for all things slumber parties, or an armoire to store extra craft supplies or holiday pieces can be worked into part of the plan. Pieces like these make it useful and smart.
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5. Basement Finishing Ideas: Move that Water Heater
An often overlooked element of a basement change, sometimes has a lot to do with the water heater.
It’s surprising how much space they really can take up, and how inexpensive it can be to go tankless. Tankless offers more flexibility with available hot water, {hello living with teenagers} and also allows the space to be freed up when relocated to another area of the home like the crawlspace. Consider great, simple changes that are often overlooked when it comes to a basement renovation.
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6. Basement Finishing Ideas: Use Smart Materials That Won’t Damage Easily
Basements are meant to work hard, so we’d recommend choosing elements that do just that.
Outdoor rugs are sometimes a wise choice when it comes to teenagers and their hang out spots. Or when the unexpected happens like flooding {and hopefully it doesn’t} be prepared with solutions that won’t damage easily. Elements like tile are always smart to consider when it comes to durable flooring of a basement, so that the clean up, maintenance, and unexpected keep it simple and don’t necessarily mean starting over. Think through your finishing supplies, so that it works well.
7. Basement Finishing Ideas: Great Finds For a Smart Space
Here are a few of our favorite finds we’ve rounded up, for finishing off a basement:
• an indoor outdoor rug keeps spaces clean and are easy to clean up.
• commercial flooring will work hard underfoot with zero worries.
• this sectional is perfect for family movie nights, and also offers hidden storage.
• attractive ceiling tiles are always an option for the inescapable drop down.
These are some of our fave things to consider when it comes to refinishing those spaces. Remember to have fun with your secondary space, and stretch the design limits a little further with all those possibilities. Happy planning and have an inspired day!
Nicole says
I’ve always loved your basement reno! My version of a “basement” is the ground level of a stilt home in FL. The space doesn’t flood and currently has Drylock sealed block walls, but even with a dehumidifier it’s damp/musty. We hesitate to really finish the space off because of this. What are your tips to keep “basement” spaces dry?
Jamin Mills says
Hey! Outside of the two things, you are already doing the only other thing would be to add a drainage system around the foundation to ensure there is proper water runoff and no standing water. However, that is not guaranteed to get rid of the musty smell, unfortunately, some spaces will always have that. But it could help remove any extra water. Hope that helps!