Unlocking your basement’s potential is a great way to add value and livability to your home. Whether you want a cozy family room, a state-of-the-art home theater, an organized home office, or extra guest bedrooms, a basement remodel can be done in many ways.
Many homeowners do some or all of the work themselves to save money on contractor fees. This typically includes painting, installing floating floors, and doing basic carpentry work like building non-load-bearing walls. Contact Basement Remodeling Tacoma WA now!
Designing basements requires plenty of forethought and deliberation. It also involves careful consideration of building codes and how well the finished space will work for your client’s family.
Whether your client wants to use their basement as a game room, relaxing lounge, or productive home office, it’s important that the space meets their needs and suits their lifestyle. Thankfully, this is easily achievable with the right planning and the help of a professional.
Start by dividing the basement into different zones. Some of these zones include living, dining, recreational, working, storage, and laundry. This will help you understand the space better and plan the layout more efficiently. Once the different zones are laid out, you can begin imagining how the space will look and feel.
It may be tempting to divide the space with internal walls, but this can actually have a negative impact on the space. Especially in basements, this can restrict essential airflow and lead to dampness. A better alternative would be to use temporary partitions, half walls, and rugs to create separation between rooms.
When it comes to a basement remodel, the open-concept style is increasingly popular. It can provide a spacious and flexible living area, perfect for a cozy family lounge or a nail-bitingly competitive game room. Just make sure that any basement design complies with egress codes, as this is a key safety requirement.
As remote work continues to grow in popularity, many homeowners are converting their basements into productive home offices. The light-colored carpeting and recessed lighting in this finished basement create an inviting workspace, while the warm wood accent furniture adds dimension to the room.
Creating an accurate basement floor plan is simple with Cedreo, a powerful online basement planner. This basement design software offers a top-down view to quickly sketch your basement blueprints and includes a variety of tools for marking walls, inserting windows, and specifying exact dimensions. The software can even convert your basement layout into a photorealistic 3D visualization for easy presentation. It’s an excellent tool for assisting clients with their home remodeling projects!
Add a Bathroom
A basement bathroom is a must-have, particularly if you plan to use the space as living quarters or want the option of renting out the room. However, adding a basement bathroom can be more costly than other remodeling projects, especially if you have to hire a professional to install plumbing and a toilet. You’ll also need to ensure the new bathroom complies with local building codes and has an egress window for safety purposes.
A design-build team can help you create a bathroom that maximizes both space and functionality. They can advise on locating the bathroom fixtures within the existing floor layout, which can reduce costs by working around existing pipes and other elements instead of rerouting them. They’ll also assess the location of drain lines, vent stacks and water supply lines to determine how best to connect the bathroom’s fixtures.
One of the cheapest ways to update your basement is to add decorative accents. Look for area rugs, wall art, and mirrors to make the space feel more inviting. “But be careful not to overdo it,” says Kaercher. “You don’t want to fill every square inch of your space with visual points of interest—the eye needs negative space, too, for rest.”
Another cost-effective way to refresh a basement is by replacing the flooring. Carpet removal is usually an easy DIY project and can save you a lot of money, while wood, vinyl and tile are durable and look great in a basement.
While many homeowners are reluctant to spend the time and money on a basement remodel, they may be surprised to find out that it can add value to their home. A finished basement with a bedroom, kitchen and additional living space is more likely to sell quickly than a dark, dingy area that’s only used for storage.
A basement that’s converted into a rental suite is even more likely to fetch a high return on investment, as it can provide an extra source of income while helping you pay for your mortgage. However, you should always consult a real estate agent before making this type of change to your house, as it could have legal implications and affect the property taxes in your area.
Turn It Into a Living Space
A basement conversion is a more involved type of remodel that involves making an existing non-living space into a fully functional living room. It is not uncommon for basements to serve as a recreation area, home gym, extra bedroom or guest suite. Depending on your needs and desires, the basement can be tailored to fit your family’s unique lifestyle.
To make the most of your basement, it’s important to carefully plan and map out your renovation project. This will help you stay within budget and ensure that the finished product meets your design goals and requirements. It’s also important to consider how the basement will be used in the long-term when designing it, especially if you plan to rent it out. For instance, you may want to include egress windows that meet building codes.
Before your basement renovation project begins, it’s important to thoroughly inspect the space and take note of any problems like water damage, mold, or structural issues that need to be addressed before work can begin. Once all of the necessary repairs have been made, you can begin turning your basement into a living space.
It’s also important to address sizing and layout considerations. For example, if you’re planning on adding a bedroom in the basement, it’s important to ensure that the floor space meets code for egress and fire safety. This might require expansion of window spaces or other renovations. Additionally, if you’re planning on installing an additional bathroom, it’s important to plan for plumbing access and cost.
Finally, it’s important to prioritize lighting and ventilation, as well as to add acoustic insulation. This will ensure that the basement is comfortable, quiet and enjoyable for residents and guests. It’s also a good idea to use room dividers and different furniture arrangements to define distinct zones in the basement and create a more unified aesthetic.
Turning your basement into a functional living space is an exciting and rewarding project that can enhance your home’s functionality and boost its value. With a thoughtful design and the help of a professional contractor, you can create a stylish retreat that is perfect for entertaining or relaxing.
Add Storage
When a family decides to make the basement a living space it’s important they have functional storage solutions. Using a variety of storage hacks including built in shelves, under the stairs storage, storage cabinets and more can turn a cluttered mess into a tidy organized extension of their home.
A great place to start is with overhead storage racks. Having a place to store large items like camping gear, holiday decorations and bulky sports equipment can free up floor space and keep things out of sight and out of mind. However, it’s important to ensure that any racks you install are securely mounted and can handle the weight of what they’re storing.
Another great storage option is a pegboard. Having a designated place to hang tools, art supplies and kids’ toys is a practical way to keep them organized while freeing up bins and totes. Pegboards with hooks are also a good idea for storing coats, jackets and other clothing.
Basements are usually uninsulated and can be cold and dingy, so it’s also important to keep the space well lit. Adding LED lighting is a simple and effective way to brighten up the area. This not only makes it easier to find stored items but it can also help the space feel more like an extension of the home rather than a dungeon.
It’s a good idea to have some sort of centralized laundry room in the basement. Having a separate space to store the washer and dryer keeps these items out of the living areas and can create a more clean and efficient work zone for cleaning clothes.
If you have enough room, adding a laundry sink is a convenient and practical addition to the space. This can be a handy spot for soaking stained clothing, hand washing delicate items and even for mixing cleaning products.
Lastly, don’t forget to use basement storage solutions for items that can be stacked. For instance, a classic over-the-door shoe organizer is the perfect spot to stash everything from paintbrushes to extra hardware and craft supplies, freeing up space in closets and cabinets for items that need to be more easily accessible.