For many of us, we buy a house we think meets their needs, only to end up finding years later that it is too small because of new family members, hobbies, or home based businesses. We often think that moving into a bigger house is the only alternative. We forget about all the additional space we may have in that dark dingy basement. There are so many ways nowadays to utilize a basement, that the possibilities are endless. Never be afraid of utilizing your basement, just because it may me damp and dusty, doesn’t mean it has to be unusable.
When remodeling a basement for whatever reasons you chose, there are a few things to remember. First is to make sure your basement will stay dry. If leaks and dampness are an issue, invest in waterproofing before doing any construction. The last thing you want is a beautiful basement that gets ruined after the first heavy rainstorm. The second important thing to remember is that basements do not typically get a lot of sunlight, so lighting is an important consideration. Track lighting, Floor lamps, and recess lighting are both great options for a basement. The last thing to remember is to make sure your basement is safe in an emergency. Furnaces, water heaters, and dryers can put out dangerous fumes, so make sure to install adequate carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Also ensure there are at least to exits in case of a fire.
So what if you have enough space in your home, but just want to do something to spruce up the basement. Well here are a few ideas:
Games Room: It’s not just for kids anymore. All members of the family can enjoy a place to hang out and play games. You can play pool, darts, ping-pong, or board games. This enables the whole family to get together and have some fun.
Home Bar / Wine Cellar: Installing a cocktail bar or wine cellar is great for entertaining your friends, and a great feature of a basement is that sound tends not to travel as much. This means you can be as loud as you want, and not disrupt your neighbors.
Theatre Room: Most of us would love to have our own movie theatre where we can watch DVDs or just listen to our favorite music in dedicated room. Installing sound insulation on the walls and ceilings, and putting in a few couches and chairs in our basement is the perfect solution.
Workshops: Basements are great for the do-it-yourselfer. A few long benches, and some storage areas, and your on your way. Just remember to keep in mind how difficult taking large or heavy items out of the basement might be. A handcrafted entertainment center may look incredible, but if you cant get it up the basement stairs, you may be in trouble.
Home Gym: So many people worry about their health, and want to keep fit. For many of us, going to the gym is unpractical and may even make us feel uncomfortable. Having your own home gym in your basement will allow you to exercise in privacy.
So that’s it from me for now. Enjoy your new basement, and remember – your only limited by your imagination.
