A basement is usually an overlooked space in many homes. It’s where the old furniture goes, and where the kids are told to play. And that makes sense really, because it tends to be the darkest, most awkward part of a house, and it doesn’t always give the best first impression. But you can make a comfortable basement space without a ton of effort.
And, yes, you don’t have to have an unkempt home for this space to smell bit musty. You may feel that the lighting’s never quite right. And you may just use it to store the stuff you don’t want to look at every day. However, your basement can be so much more if you invest a little in it.
Consider the hidden potential.
A basement is part of the house like any other room, and there’s no reason it can’t be turned into a space you actually want to spend time in. It won’t happen overnight, and it’ll require more than just painting the walls and throwing down a rug, because there’s a lot to consider before it actually feels like part of your home. But it can be done, and done well, too.
Moreover, once it’s sorted, your efforts will open the household up more than you’d expect. You can set up a guest space or an office or just a place to relax that doesn’t feel like you’re hiding from the rest of the house. It can be more than a kid’s play room or storage.
In this post, we’ll make some suggestions that might help you plan a comfortable basement.
Start with the air quality.
Air quality is usually the first obstacle in creating a comfortable basement space. It also the most important one to get on top of early. In addition to airflow and air quality, once water makes itself at home in a basement, it’s hard to get rid of it. Sometimes it’s just a cold, damp feeling. Mold can come with that, and this can make the space unhealthy to occupy.
Proper ventilation helps but won’t do the whole job. You’ll probably need to look at how moisture gets in to begin with, and what’s keeping it there. You may need better insulation, drainage around the property, or reinforcing the ground outside and preventing sediment from building. But, often an air cleaner with dehumidifier is all that’s needed.
Check the foundation before any work begins.
A basement might feel solid when you’re standing in it, but if the house has been around long enough, there’s always a chance the foundation has shifted slightly or cracked over time. This is where services such as foundation repair will help you come out with a basement you can safely work with, avoiding one that keeps giving you problems even after you’ve spruced it up.
You may just need to begin reinforcing weak points or stopping hairline cracks from getting worse, but at any rate, getting this sorted first means you won’t have to rip up new flooring or knock down half-finished walls six months from now. This will also provide the backdrop so you can begin framing the walls.
Plus, not all foundation issues need to be addressed. Check out this blog for more on that.
Think through design and decor.
You want to make the space more livable, not just safe and secure. The first thing to consider is lighting, because basements are notoriously dark. You can create the illusion of a larger window with a shutter trick that I like to use in our basement projects. By using shutters that are oversized, it gives the impression of a larger window underneath.
Also, using a layered lighting plan with sconces, overhead lighting, and floor lighting, you can create a warmer and more well-lit space that feels more inviting. After the lighting is designed, choose colors and textures that vibe with your ideal comfortable basement space. If you want a moody movie-watching room, choose darker and richer colors and fabrics. If your plan is to use it as an office, lighter colors may be best. A workout room benefits from an upbeat cool vibe. And, for a kids play space, consider durable flooring and furniture that can withstand the fun play that will unfold in the basement.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily remodel your basement into a livable space and in the best way.
