A finished basement can increase your home’s value by up to 70%. With this significant return, finishing your basement is well worth the cost. Not only will you get additional usable space within your home, but it will also increase your return on investment for your home.
You need to know what you want to make the most of your basement remodeling and makeover. These basement remodeling ideas will help you design a beautiful and functional space.
1. Add a Walkout
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could access your finished basement from the outside of your house? This would be especially convenient if your basement remodel turned the space into a bar, man cave, teen game room, or guest suite. Then, friends and family could come and go without having to trek upstairs and disturb the other people in the home.
This is one of the more expensive basement additions. It is best for homeowners with a budget that can support these basement remodeling costs.
The project would require digging into the earth outside of the basement. Then finish the area around the opening and install an exterior door.
2. Install a Light Well
One of the most common basement struggles is the lack of lighting. Since basements are typically underground, adding windows, let alone large ones, is challenging. Unfortunately, this means there is a lack of natural lighting.
Adding new basement lighting becomes a high priority when planning a basement remodel. The common suggestion contractors make is to add recessed lighting. While this works to add light, it doesn’t add natural light.
Instead, consider adding a light well. You can build them onto an exterior wall of the basement. They can be built into the ground or an existing patio or deck.
The idea is to create a strip of space that extends beyond the house that allows sunlight to “pour” down into the basement. Light wells are more effective than side windows because the sun spends more time above than directly to the side.
Make the wall of the light well reflective, and you can bounce the light around the room. The effect is a gentle wash of natural light across the basement wall.
3. Durable Flooring
Wood flooring and engineered wood flooring are at the height of their popularity right now. However, they are not the best option for your basement. Unfortunately, basements struggle with excess moisture, especially in the flooring.
You need a durable flooring material that can withstand the additional moisture. Porcelain wood-look tile gives your basement the look of wood but the durability of tile.
Its downside is that it can feel cold. However, you can lay down a rug or two to address this.
Another option is to skip the flooring entirely and finish the concrete. This is quickly becoming the most popular of the basement flooring options. It saves money during a remodel because you don’t have to purchase additional flooring material.
There are several treatments and finishes that can make the concrete floor look like other materials. The finished concrete is durable and gives your basement a modern feel.
4. Use Multiple Textures
Basements tend to look bland and sterile. To address this, use a variety of materials for your basement remodeling project. Add texture to the walls by turning one wall into an exposed brick or wood plank wall.
Use tile that looks like wood planks. These tiles have varying colors and a wood-like texture. This flooring is good for the entertainment space in basements because it’s durable and easy to maintain.
Multiple textures give your basement a layered look. This creates a feeling of warmth and coziness.
5. Glass Walls
Basements can feel dark and cramped with low ceilings. They become even more confining when you start building walls to separate the space for different uses. Instead, consider using a trick that’s commonly seen in small bathrooms.
A glass pane wall can separate the shower space from the rest of the bathroom without blocking your ability to see the entire bathroom. The result is a space divided for different uses while also keeping it open and airy feeling.
The same approach can be used in your basement. Mount glass walls around a space that you would like to use for a different space. Perhaps it separates a quiet space from the main entertainment space in the basement.
If you want more privacy, you can mount ceiling tracks and have curtains. Close or open them as you want.
6. Clever Space Dividers
If large glass walls do not interest you, consider other options for breaking up the basement. One option is pocket or barn doors. These doors slide out of the way, giving you an open space.
They also slide closed, creating privacy. However, both door styles require wall space, so this is something to keep in mind when designing your basement remodel.
Another option is to build a two-sided bookcase or shelf as the wall. When empty, you can see through it from one space to the other. Once you have items on the shelf, the two spaces are more private but not totally blocked off from one another.
If you are unsure of what you would want, it’s helpful to look at basement design ideas. This will give you a real-world view of what a finished basement would look like. Look for basements with a similar layout and size for an accurate preview.
7. Faux Fireplace
Adding a faux fireplace creates visual warmth in your basement. When you see an element that traditionally adds heat to the space, your brain thinks the space is warmer. The fireplace doesn’t even have to add real warmth for this effect to work.
However, there are plenty of electric faux fireplaces on the market that do blow heat. These are perfect for taking the chill out of the air and making the basement feel cozy and comfortable to be in.
For a traditional look, opt for one that comes with or mounts in a mantel. For a more modern look, stick with one that mounts on the wall. For effective warming, buy one large enough to effectively warm adequate square footage.
8. Stairway Lighting
Adding lights to the stairs will make them safer. Instead of adding bright overhead lighting, add movie theater-style lighting. This is warm low accent lighting that only illuminates the stairs.
You will be able to see the stairs for safe navigation, but the light is unobtrusive. This is perfect for a basement that will be primarily dark when in use, such as a movie theater, bar, game room, or man cave.
One option is to add strip lighting that runs the entire length of the stairs. Another option is to mount the lights on the underside of the bullnose to illuminate the riser and tread below. A third option is to mount the lights on the wall with a shade to direct the light down onto the stairs.
9. Concealed Storage
Your basement is the perfect location for adding storage space to your home. However, you don’t want your basement to look like a storage unit. Concealed or hidden storage is the perfect compromise.
Add a built-in shelving unit with doors to hide the shelf contents. Add some open shelves for displaying decor to give the unit a curated look. You could also add a fold-away desk for a small workstation.
Another option is to wall off a section of the basement completely. Then use a fake door to hide its existence. The door looks like a bookshelf, but it hides a storage room.
10. Soundproofing
Because there are so many flat hard surfaces in the basement, sounds can easily travel up to the rest of the house. This may not be a big deal if you plan to turn the basement into a guest suite, gym, or home office. However, it could be a real problem if your plans include a children’s playroom, movie theater, or home bar.
Consider adding soundproofing to your remodel budget. Doing so will dampen the sound waves, making the basement quieter.
Plan Your Basement Remodeling and Makeover
If you have an unfinished basement, there is no better time than the present to finish it. The first step is to get inspired by looking at finished basements. Then, take note of the features and materials that appeal to you the most.
Then give these to your contractor to help them understand your basement remodeling and makeover goals. Your contractor will then work with you to incorporate your ideas while working within your budget.
Schedule a consultation and let our experienced team help bring your basement remodeling dreams to life.