Creative Ideas For Finishing Your Basement

Finishing Your Basement – Ideas to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

Finishing your basement is the best way to gain valuable living space in your home as well as boost market value. It is definitely less expensive than building a new addition. After all, you already have a foundation, walls, ceiling and floor in place – that is half the battle completed already! You can hire a contractor to do all the work for your basement finishing or do as much work as possible on your own to save money.

Possibilities for your Basement Space

Consider your basement a blank canvas of possibilities. Your desired use for the room will be your ultimate guide on how you use your finished basement space. Do you have a houseful of kids and their friends but not enough room upstairs to comfortably let them hang out? Create a teenage lair with plenty of seating space, an entertainment center and gaming area.

Do you relish the idea of entertaining friends and family in your home but don’t have an adequate set-up in your main living areas? Transform your basement into a second dining space complete with a kitchen and bar area. Or, create a game room with a bar and entertainment center. A home theater complete with large screen television and theater seating is a possibility too.

A new home office, hobby room, laundry area or even a separate bedroom suite are additional possibilities. Perhaps you have senior parents coming to live with you or require an extra bedroom for visitors. Finishing your basement is the answer. You can even turn your basement into a small apartment and rent it out for extra income!

An Important Detail

Perhaps the most important detail when it comes to basement finishing is the prep work involved before starting the rehab. Basements are notorious for courting moisture. You may live in a relatively dry or non-flooding area but you will still contend with water vapor. For temperate regions, you may have to contend with flooding or rain seepage. Concrete floors and walls can develop condensation or moisture which could become trapped under laminate or carpet flooring.

It is imperative that your basement is moisture-proofed before getting involved in the construction finishing process. Research your options to protect your basement’s future and consider hiring a contractor that specializes in this area, even if you plan to do some of the finishing yourself.

If you do not moisture-proof the basement, expect eventual damage to your building materials, flooring, decorative items and furniture. Mildew, mold, rot and other odors are just a few things that can happen when you do not plan for basement moisture. A dry basement will not only protect the space for years to come but it will also ensure you are successful in transforming it into the additional living space you want.

Once you have decided how you are finishing your basement and have a plan to moisture-proof it, it is time to draft a workable floor plan, drawn to scale. Planning where to put windows, extra walls, architectural elements and even electrical outlets is essential as is mapping out existing components such as support beams, ductwork and plumbing. Having a complete plan in place will help you formulate a budget as well as aid in the procurement of tools, supplies and even contracting labor if necessary. On a final note, be sure to check on local building codes to determine whether you need to obtain building permits for your basement finishing project.