How to Make the Most of a Basement Finishing Project
Finishing your basement can be a great way to take advantage of the space your home has to offer, and when its designed to fit with your style and your needs, it can become one of the most valued and enjoyed parts of your homes. That's especially for smaller homes, which can use the extra space!
Making sure that you get the most out of your finished basement basically comes down to designing it for the needs and uses of you and your family-and, of course, adding in your own style.
Here are few tips and ideas that can help you make the most of a basement finishing project:
Create "Zones" to Make the Most of the Space
If you make a smart use of the space in your basement, it can easily be used for multiple activities. While most basements won't have actual rooms to section off different spaces, a well mapped out floor plan can help you utilize the space that you have for a number of different uses.
A sofa and an ottoman can easily section off your lounge zone, and craft supplies and toys near a small work table can create a zone for child play.
Make Sure the Design is Confluent Throughout Your Home
Make sure that the design in your basement is part of a flow throughout your home. You'll want your basement to feel like a part of your home and not like a pinned on afterthought. So don't throw out your usual taste when you're painting, designing, and decorating the basement: keep it nicely styled and you'll elevate the look and feel of the entire space.
Keep your basement looking great and feeling comfortable, and it can easily become one of your favorite in rooms in your home.
Build a Game Room that Everyone Can Enjoy
Include your pool table, bar, and video game system, but make sure that a game or entertainment space can provide enjoyment to any number of different people. Keep a classic design to the space, and add in special design features to make the space enjoyable for anyone!
Add a Kitchenette
Forget about running back upstairs to get snacks or drinks-add a small kitchenette to your finished basement, and keep all of that at your fingertips. You'll be able to store food here, prepare it, and even keep some dishes around. There's hardly any better way to make sure that your basement is as convenient and comfortable as possible.
Conceal and Pillars, Pipes, and Other Unattractive Details
Before you cover anything on your own, you should check with a reliable source and ensure that you are not blocking access to these things or creating a safety hazard.
Apart from that, it can be worth it to put some of your basement finishing budget into covering that hide any eyesores. This can go a long way toward to helping your space look and feel much better.
Use Every Nook and Cranny that You Have
Chances are, there are plenty of small spaces in your basement that you can take advantage of to create a more versatile space. Install an L-shaped desk underneath your stairs, a sink and storage in the corner-look around and you'll likely find that you have more usable space than you think. Don't be afraid to be creative with it!
Use Hard Flooring
Basements can be damp spaces, and they are definitely prone to leaks or even floods. Hard flooring will likely last longer in these conditions than wall-to-wall carpeting.
Let Your Lifestyle Be Your Guide
The main thing that you'll want to consider before you embark on a basement finishing project is how you and your family are going to use it most. If you're going to be working from home, consider creating a home office in the basement. Or maybe you'd get more use out of it if it were your home gym. Maybe this the perfect place for an art studio or another hobby space, or maybe it'd be best as a play area for your children.
Think of what you need this space for most and let the design move on from there.