Are you considering completing your unfinished basement? Although the average basement remodeling cost ranges between $6,500 and $18,500, the return on investment can be as high as 69%. This means that having a finished basement is not only convenient for hosting visitors but is also extremely lucrative for you because it is a home feature that buyers want.
To get you started, here are some basement remodeling ideas!
1. Build a Home Movie Theater in Basement
Watching a movie on a small mobile screen is not the same as watching it on a large screen. If you don’t like the crowded movie theater scene, install a movie theater in your unfinished basement. A big TV, a home theater system, and comfortable seating are needed.
Any strategically positioned lights would also be beneficial. That is a movie theater designed specifically for you and your family. Of course, you’ll need to soundproof the basement so that the noisy noises don’t bother your neighbors. Attach a popcorn machine if you can find one.
2. Indulge Yourself with a Luxury Bathroom
If you have a house full of kids, pets, and chaos, you may want to claim the basement not for them but for yourself. Choose some amazing fixtures, such as a huge bathtub, and decorate with luxurious, calming textures and colors.
Be sure to get some luxurious towels, a thick, fluffy rug, a magnificent bathrobe, and plenty of candles. To make this your sanctuary, don’t forget to provide mood lighting and a sound system.
3. Create a Mini-Bar
You can do a lot in your unfinished basement. Making a minibar is a perfect way to make use of all that extra room. If your visitors are unlikely to visit your basement, adding a mini bar will give them an excuse to descend and enjoy a few drinks.
You just need a tiny corner of your basement. Choose cool, subdued colors for a relaxing atmosphere, or warm woods for a rustic look. Have enough bar stools to seat as many guests as you’d like, and throw in some cold ones whenever you want.
4. Create a Basement Laundry
If you don’t have a dedicated laundry room, the area of the basement can quickly become unruly and cluttered. Why not arrange the machines in the basement so you can do all of your weekend laundry without upsetting the rest of the family?
Find a fantastic pedestal, storage bins, and cabinets for your detergent and softeners. You can also add some decor to the area to make it feel less “junky” and more like it’s a part of the house.
5. Get an Extra Bedroom in Your Basement
An unused basement can be converted into an extra bedroom. Although there may be no windows that open to the outside world, there may be a slight ventilation gap that leads to the living room. If you have a small house and always feel the need for an extra guestroom, this might be the ideal solution for you.
With a comfortable bed, a simple dresser, a bedside table, some lamps, and some furniture, your guests will feel welcomed and appreciated as they crash for the night.
6. Try a Basement Coffee Bar/Nook
If coffee is your true love, you can turn a corner of your unfinished basement into a coffee (or coffee-cum-wine) bar or even a mini-café. The area would not take a lot of effort to plan. Install a cabinet with a decorative countertop under the stairs or in a corner. Allow this to be your go-to spot for all things coffee – beans, grinders, snacks, and so on.
Have a seating area for your own mini-café, as well as a small refrigerator. Set out your coffee mugs and demitasse cups, as well as saucers and a container for your demitasse spoons. Set the coffee maker first thing in the morning, and then simply slip downstairs for a morning pick-me-up or an evening catch-up with friends.
7. Make Yourself a Basement Library
We’ve all met a bookworm who is madly in love with their books and isn’t afraid to prove it. The only issue is that most houses do not have enough room for a library. There is so much to accommodate that a library takes second place. However, this is not the case when you have a basement.
8. Build a Basement Workshop Studio
Using the basement as a workspace is something that many fathers have already done. A workbench is essential in any workshop. You can build your own workbench. This is where all of your artwork will be made.
Install the proper lighting as well, so you don’t get injured in low-light situations. You’ll also need some closet space to store your supplies as well as your safety gear. Whether it’s an electric drill, a saw, or protective glasses, or gloves, you must carefully store all of these items after you’ve used them.
9. Create an Art Studio for Yourself and Your Kids
If you enjoy painting in solitude or your children enjoy doing arts and crafts in their spare time, your basement can be the ideal place. Put your canvas and painting materials in the cellar, along with a chair for when you get tired.
Alternatively, set up a few chairs and a table with art supplies such as colored paper, drawing pens, scissors, and glue for your children to enjoy. You might also put a couple of cabinets in the basement to store all of your art supplies. It’s an excellent way to hone your craft.
10. Create a Stylish Pool in the Basement
Ideal for those hot summer days when you can’t wait to cool off in your own private pool, but your yard isn’t large enough.
You also cannot have a pool within your home unless you have a massive bathroom. So a pool in the basement is the next best thing. An added benefit is that since it is below ground and covered, it will not heat up the water. As a result, each dip will be cool and refreshing!
11. Building a Music Room
If music is what keeps you going, make a new home for it. Soundproof your basement and you’ll have the ideal studio for you and your mates to jam in. Make your own songs and let your passion lead the way.
Music knows no limits or age limitations, whether you are young or old. If becoming a rock star was your childhood dream, now is the time to make it a reality with your own music-themed room. Do you like playing the drums? Or are you a guitar virtuoso? Whatever instrument you play, now is the time to get back into the music scene.
12. Have a Second Living Room in the Basement
Why limit yourself to one family room when you can have two? Make a second living room out of an unfinished basement that isn’t being used for anything specific. If the main living space can be used to entertain visitors, the basement living room can be used to relax and unwind.
Alternatively, the basement living room may be a secret living room that is only accessible to close friends and family members. It’s more like a secret hideaway where only the most special people are welcome. Hang a sign that says “for special guests only” to make it more welcoming and inviting.
13. Create a Children’s Play Area
If you have a family and have children, you may want to set up a basement play area where your children can play while you get some quiet time to yourself.
You can add a variety of activity playthings there. A camping tent or two, as well as small swings, slides, and seesaws. Install children’s play mats in the basement to make it safe for children. These mats are available in an easy-to-install interlocking pattern. As a result, you can relax in your room while the kids play quietly in the basement.
14. Create a Study Room for Kids
If you have a young scholar living in your house, you can provide them with their own dedicated space by constructing a quiet little study room where they can solve formulas or understand chemical equations. This setup needs very little space in your unfinished basement.
Simply make sure the lighting is adequate for studying and set up a desk with a couple of chairs. That is everything there is to it. Your child now has their own personal space where they can sit and learn without being disturbed. It would also make it easier for them to attend group study sessions with their classmates.
15. Create a Basement Gym or Yoga and Meditation Room
You only need a few things for this. If you enjoy yoga and meditation, your basement might be the ideal place. When you enter Zen mode and perform breathing exercises, disconnect from the rest of the world.
Get yourself some yoga mats and a Buddha statuette to get a true sense of meditation. You can also put in a small fountain in the basement because the sounds of running water are stress relievers and can aid in meditation.
16. Get Your Very Own Casino
If you and your friends enjoy card games, it is best to set up a poker table in the basement and refer to it as your mini-casino. Other games, such as blackjack, are also available. And if you’re home, how about a game of solitaire?
You can do so much in your own mini-casino. And you don’t even need chips to participate. It’s your own world. You can play as much as you like. Friends share their victories and defeats. You only need the right table and a few chairs to sit around it.
17. Build a Basement Conference Room
A basement can be the ideal location for a business conference if you want to invite your staff, friends, or associates. Furthermore, a basement conference seems enigmatic and gives the impression of a spy meeting. All that is needed is some bright lighting, a table, and some office chairs. A computer can also come in handy if you need to present your ideas in digital form.
A conference room can also be built in a small basement. A basement will provide you with the peace and quiet that you will need in a normal conference room.
18. Create an All-Purpose Flex Room
A flex room is a versatile space that can be used for a variety of purposes. With the addition of a sofa, it becomes a living space. With the addition of a small bed, it becomes a bedroom. When you add a TV, it becomes a media space. Add a counter and you’ve got yourself a coffee shop. A flex space can be used for pretty much everything. Had an unexpected visitor and don’t know what to do with them? The flex room is at your disposal.
If you can’t build a small apartment in your basement and can’t decide what kinds of unfinished basement makeovers you want, a flex space is ideal.
19. Create a Home Office for Work from Home Assignments
Even if you have a tiny basement, this idea will work. You’ll be working from home if you’re a writer or run an online company. With the internet influencing our lives, there are a growing number of Millenials who depend on it for a living.
If you work from home and provide online services, you’ll need a quiet corner in your space to designate as your home office. If you don’t have a spare room, you can use your basement as a home office. This will ensure that all of life’s noise is left upstairs as you focus on your ideas in your basement.
20. Build a Basement Fireplace
Get yourself a wall-mounted electric fireplace for warmth and a comfortable little cozy room. Even if your unfinished basement is tiny, an electric fireplace can be installed there. These fireplaces can be mounted on the wall of the stairwell. That is, it does not need a lot of room.
Of course, if you have enough room in your basement, you can build a cozy nook where you can sit and drink hot cocoa while watching the “fire.” There is an electric fireplace in the picture, as well as a full library where you can sit and read your favorite book.
Basement Renovation FAQs
What adds the most value when finishing a basement?
When it comes to adding value to a home, few home improvement projects are as effective as finishing a basement. Not only does this give the home additional living space, but it also allows the homeowners to add value-boosting features such as an extra bedroom or bathroom.
In addition, a finished basement can serve as an excellent entertaining space, complete with a wet bar or home theater. While the initial cost of finishing a basement may be high, the return on investment is typically quite good, making it an excellent choice for those looking to add value to their home.
How do you modernize an old basement?
When it comes to renovating an old basement, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, it is important to ensure that the space is well-insulated and weatherproofed. This will help to prevent mold and moisture damage. Next, you will need to add some form of lighting. This can be natural light from windows or artificial light from fixtures.
Once the basement is properly insulated and lit, you can start to think about furnishing the space. If you want to create a cozy living area, consider adding a couch, chairs, and a coffee table. If you’re looking for storage space, add some shelving or cabinets. And if you want to use the basement as a workspace, add a desk and comfortable chair. By taking these steps, you can modernize an old basement and make it into a functional and stylish space.
How should I design my basement?
When it comes to basement design, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to consider the overall layout of the space. How do you want the rooms to flow? What kind of traffic pattern do you want? Once you have a general idea of the layout, you can start thinking about specific elements like flooring, lighting, and furnishings.
Flooring is an important consideration in any basement design. Carpet is popular for basements because it is warm and comfortable underfoot. However, carpet can be difficult to clean and doesn’t always hold up well to heavy traffic. Tile or laminate flooring may be a better option if you have pets or small children.
Lighting is also important in basement design. Recessed lighting is a good option for general illumination, but you’ll also want to add task lighting for areas like reading nooks or game tables.
Finally, don’t forget about storage! Basements can be great places to store seasonal items or extra household goods. Be sure to include plenty of shelving and storage bins in your basement design.