Homeowners who are looking for extra space in their house often look down...to the basement. Basements are the ideal place to add entertaining/game rooms, exercise rooms, playrooms, media rooms, or extra guest rooms. Regardless of how you plan to use the space, there are a number of factors to address during a basement remodeling project:
ENSURE YOUR LIGHTING IS ADEQUATE
No one wants to hang out in a dimly lit basement. Maximize the natural light by widening windows if possible. Installing a French door allows more light from the outside. Make use of mirrors and light paint colors to reflect the available light. You probably need stronger illumination than in the rest of the house. Proper lighting helps create the ambience you seek.
USE ALL AVAILABLE SPACE
A claustrophobic feeling in the basement will make it less inviting. Using an open floor plan makes the rooms feel more spacious. If you have pipes or ducts running along the ceiling, see if you can relocate them. Since basement ceilings are usually lower than in the rest of the house, you want to eliminate anything that makes it feel even lower.
TEMPERATUR CONTROL IDEAS FOR BASEMENTS
Since most basements are underground, they are cooled by the soil’s naturally lower temperatures. In order to transform your basement into a true living space, you may need to consider adding another heat source or additional ducts. If the floor is concrete, installing carpet can make it feel warmer underfoot.
CONSIDER BATHROOMS
When people are enjoying your new downstairs, it can become inconvenient to run upstairs for the bathroom. Especially if you have a guest room downstairs, you should consider a half bath in the basement.
FLOORING OPTIONS THAT WORK IN DAMP AREAS
If your basement already has a water problem, think twice about installing wall-to-wall carpeting. Instead use tile, vinyl, or area rugs (which can be cleaned). Real wood flooring doesn’t usually work in basements because excess moisture in the air makes the boards warp, but plastic laminate floors can give a wood look without the same moisture concerns.
