Your basement is just waiting to be transformed into a beautiful, useful living space.
Before you bump out your kitchen or add a third floor to your home, take into consideration the spaces in your home that are currently under-utilized. A room commonly overlooked is the basement. If your basement is unfinished, you aren’t taking advantage of all the space your home has to offer. The basement space is already there, so you should make it functional with a basement remodel.
Basement Renovations are Cost Effective
Renovating your basement is cost effective and a great way to add livable space to your home. Basements have the best value per square foot because the structure, or footprint, is already in place. Remodeling your basement also won’t interfere with your day-to-day life. Unlike other remodeling options, there’s no roof to remove, and you can live in your home with minimal inconveniences during the project. Before you remodel your basement, you should consider not only how you want to use your space now, but also how you will use it in years to come. You will find that your basement uses will change over time, especially if you have children. When your children are young, it may be used as a play area. But as they age, you may want to create a family space for socializing or create room for an extra room for one of your children.
Here are six great ideas to consider when remodeling your basement space:
1. Kids Play Area
While the kids are young, the basement is the perfect designated area for a playroom. This space will serve as a safe haven for the kids while giving the adults peace of mind. Their toys will remain off the main level and out of your hair.
Having a specific play area allows parents the opportunity to have some organization and sanity in an otherwise chaotic life. A kids space allows you to provide a fun, safe and creative place for the children to let their imaginations run free.
2. Media Room
Now a room the whole family can enjoy! Basements are often used for entertainment. Not just family entertainment, but for guests and events too. The most common spaces clients want to incorporate into their basements are media rooms. These are great for when you want to kick back and watch movies as a family. This room is also great when you have company over to watch March Madness, The Super Bowl or The Walking Dead.
3. Wet Bars
When you have those guests over, you’ll want a functional kitchenette to serve them. We have seen everything from a simple wet bar in a man cave to a full-size kitchen.
And what else goes great with drinks at the wet bar? Games! Pool tables, pingpong tables, air hockey tables; the options are endless!
4. Extra Living Space
In general, people always wish they had more space in their home. Typically, the basement already has a living area, so add that to the new kitchenette, bedroom and bathroom and you have a new living space to accommodate in-laws or guests. More and more homeowners are choosing to remodel their basement in order to take care of their aging parents or in-laws. This allows aging parents freedom, while still giving you peace of mind that you will be there should they need you.
Homeowners who have basements with eight- or nine-foot ceilings have enough room to provide this living space. Many basements also have windows above ground so that the space wouldn’t be completely closed in and will provide the benefit of some natural light.
What are the benefits for creating an additional living space in your basement?
- Adding the space without changing the existing footprint
- You get the space you need without interfering with your yard space
- You have a functional space for your in-laws without having to re-do another portion of your home
- It’s cost efficient
5. In-Home Office
Remodeling your basement space is a great opportunity to incorporate an in-home office. As time goes by, more and more people make the switch from working in the office to working remotely from home. If you’re going to be home and working, you should be comfortable! Your home office can be tucked away, allowing for a sense of warmth and privacy at the same time.
6. Home Fitness Gym
If you are in the process of remodeling your basement, add some gym equipment or weights to the mix in order to round out the ideal basement. Combined with the home office, a media room and a wet bar, and you’ll really never have to leave your home!
