All You Can Do With A Basement
All You Can Do With A Basement
If you have a big basement but don't know what to make of it, you're in luck.
There are a lot of things you can do with a basement. You can use it as a storage space, a workshop, or even a home office. If you have kids, you can use it as a playroom or a movie theatre. The possibilities are endless. If you're thinking about buying a house but unsure of what to do with a basement, then read on.
How big is the basement?
The size of the basement will play a big part in what you'll be using it for. More importantly, think about how much more space it has or doesn't have compared to other areas of the home.
A small basement can still have a lot of uses beyond a utility room or storage space. You could use the space to create the perfect place for some quiet time. Filling an area with comfortable seating, pillows and cushions can make a cozy reading area. Small spaces need more light so as to not be claustrophobic but it's definitely an option.
If you have the extra space where navigating around a pool table is not an issue, then you can plan more ambitious things. Bigger basement space usually means a basement remodel if the previous owners did not use it in a way that makes sense for you. Enough space can mean anything from a home gym to a media room or even a second living room. This, in the end, depends on your living situation.
What is your living situation like?
If you have a young kid and moved into a home where the previous owners had family members that were huge fans of playing ping pong semi-inebriated then a basement conversion just makes perfect sense.
Finished basements are cool places that tell you a little bit of the history of the house but as living spaces, they need to change to fit your family.
Basements are an integral part of your home and are very flexible. You can entertain guests or create the perfect sewing room, it all depends on what is right for you and your family.
Basement ideas.
If you like to entertain.
A basement is more than just more storage, think of it as the space that can turn a house into your dream home. You can convert an unfinished basement into a wine cellar to store those bottles safely. If you want to go a step further then a basement makes the perfect start to a basement bar as a separate space from the wine cellar. A fully finished basement can have different tones and styles. Storing wine and having a classy bar with mood-lighting might take a little more work but if you or someone in your family is a big fan of a sport then a mini-fridge and a big screen TV can give the basement space a whole different vibe.
A good rule of thumb, if you like to entertain, is to spend time thinking about what you want to do with the basement. The basement living room is certainly an option but you have to think of your guests' journey to the area as well as other details. Basements are not ideal spaces if you like natural light and some have a rather low ceiling height - those two things don't matter much to people who live in the house but could be turn-offs for guests.
Teenagers and college kids are more likely to use the space even if the basement walls are still bare so it does not mean that the space is useless until it is a fully finished basement.
If you want a more private space.
If you want basement ideas to keep the space more like a family room than a space for guests then that works too. Some would even say it works even better.
With enough lighting, a basement is a great space for an art studio. Though you're missing natural light, you can use the right lamps to control what your craft pieces look like in the end. This doesn't have to be restricted to a small basement either, extra room for craft supplies and more space to move around can let you explore new things that would be impossible if you only used a small area on the ground floor.
With the proper sound dampening material on the basement walls and ceiling, a basement can be a great space to have a music room. Whether it's for practice or even recording, you don't have to worry about the neighbours below.
A good sound system and the low level of light also make it perfect for a games room or a movie room. It might not be the most original basement idea but to watch movies together in a dark basement can create some memorable moments for a family - especially if you're fans of horror movies.
Treating the basement as a living space is also a great idea. Adding in sliding doors and making necessary changes to certain parts of the basement mean that your art studio, basement gym, and home bar can coexist if the basement is large enough.
What activities are not suited to a basement?
As great as basements are, there are a few basement conversion ideas that are not the best.
Using a basement to store and grow plants, for example, is not the best idea. Though your windows may have deep sills, a basement does not have good lighting throughout the day and in the winter the basement windows can get completely obstructed.
For the same reason, adding an extra bedroom is not the best idea for the long term because of how little sunlight the person will get.
Things to pay attention to.
If you decide to invest in a home gym, a basement is perfect for that but you need to create an environment that works for that and that means adding a rubber floor layer on top of the basement's concrete floor.
It might be tempting to just throw some posters on the walls but keeping the 'unfinished basement' look isn't a great idea if at the same time you create a safety hazard.
Anything that deals with the floor joists of the ground floor need to be dealt with by a professional. Otherwise, that luxury bathroom on the ground floor may become an impromptu one-time-use elevator. You don't need a structural engineer for every project, a good contractor should know what to steer clear of.
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