Your basement is like a slab of modelling clay that’s waiting to be used. You can turn it into virtually anything - a social receiving room, an entertainment room, or a recreation area with a large TV and a pool table. However, renovating or remodeling basements is not easy. It takes a whole lot of planning and consultation. But don’t worry, it’s not an impossible feat.
With careful planning and a creative mind, you can easily turn that basement into the perfect room that you, your family and your friends can definitely enjoy. Here are some great tips and tricks for your basement renovation:
1. Safety First – Consult the Safety Book
Being underground, basements provide a number of risks. Make sure that the first thing you consult is the code of safety. Is it safe to change or move your stairs? Is it safe to reroute electric wires and pipelines? You also don’t want to shake up the foundations of your house, so be extra careful. Double check if you have an emergency exit.
Check your pipelines and drains so your basement remains dry during storms. Look at your design and check the safety book if you can do what you’re planning to do. Consult professionals. Call a few friends who already had their basements renovated. Find everything there is to know, and then match your plans with the information you’ve gathered. It’s always better to play it safe than be sorry later on.
2. Make the space work for you.
Some basements have low ceilings, and that’s okay. You have an option to dig down a little bit more, or you can work with what you have already. If you do decide to dig down, make sure you can actually do so. Always furnish your ceilings and conceal those pipelines and wires, especially if you’re going with a low ceiling. Speaking of which, low ceilings don’t have to be scary and cramped. Make the room inviting by using light and warm colors.
Wood is always a great option. Don’t clutter and put too many things in your basement. Having mirrors, glass items and tall shelves could give the illusion of larger space. Another great tip for getting that space illusion is having built-in storage systems. Place a shelf under your stairs. Have ceiling-high shelves with multiple drawers. The ideas are endless. Make your basement homey and efficient at the same time.
3. Add windows.
Just because you’re below the ground, doesn’t mean you can’t have windows in your basement, right? Windows are a great addition to your basement! They add a more comfortable feel to it, and it makes you forget that you’re actually a few feet below the surface. Of course, along with your windows comes your renovation of what’s overlooking that window.
A small garden outside would be nice, or some nice wooden furnishings. Make sure you have something nice to look at when you look out that window, and not just dirt and gravel. A few plants would also be a nice touch to your windows, especially when there’s a significant amount of light that could come in. The effect would be mesmerizing.
4. Turn it into a smaller version of your house
If you have a spacious basement, go crazy and add rooms! Some basements have mini bars for the bachelors, or kitchenettes and craft rooms for the ladies. But why stop there? Make it more inviting by actually having a bedroom. You can also add either a half bath or full bath, as long as you check your pipes if it’s possible.
These additions are perfect for guests and teens who want to experience living on their own. Just remember that the code of safety requires bedrooms to have an emergency exit in case something goes wrong. Check how much square area you’ll need for each extension, especially the ones you’ll need for the bed. It doesn’t have to be too grand and too huge. With the right materials and furniture, you can maximize your space.
Author Bio:
Alex Pascal offers basement renovation and remodeling in Springfield, Massachusetts. You can check out their website at Basement FinishPro to learn more about their work!
5. Soundproof
Most people turn their basements into a recreation room – either a tiny movie house with surround sound or a place where you could play PS4 in full volume uninterrupted. But did you know that even if you don’t do both, basements could add a great deal of noise to your house.
Most basement ceilings are directly connected to the floors of your house, much like rooms that only have a wall in between. The simple solution is to soundproof your ceiling. Attach an RC channel before you install your drywall to break the sound and reduce noise.
Another option is to install surface-mount lights. It’s pretty stylish too, and can give your room a very comfortable, bedroom-like feel. Once you’ve done these tricks, you can even change your basement into a studio, and you can rock and jam all you want without the people upstairs getting bothered by your metal.
