Make Your Basement Livable

There are many different ways in which you can make your basement more comfortable and livable. The easiest and the most cost effective way to transform the look and the feel of the room is through flooring. Until the recent times the basements had been just thought o as store rooms and they were not really spaces where people would want to spend time since they were damp and dark. However, today you can change the basement and turn it into a lovely and useable space. Basements can be used as an extra room in the house. You can covert it into a nice place with the help of just a few changes. You could even turn it into an entertainment room or home office, home theater or a games room.

The Different Flooring Options

When you undertake any type of basement remodeling plan, one of the main details that you would have to think about is the type of floor that you would want to install in the basement. Since the basement is typically a place which would remain a little damp, you would want a floor which would be able to withstand moisture. Given below are a few ideas on basement flooring:

Paint

Although it might seem like an unusual flooring option, the fact is that paint can be a very inexpensive way to change the flooring of your basement. You can use a latex paint which is semi-permeable. Basements would have some water seepage problems so using an ordinary paint would only mean that the paint can start peeling a few months later.

Laminate Floors

One of the most popular options for basement flooring is laminate floors. Laminate floors are actually quite inexpensive and they can be easily installed as a basement remodeling project. Also, laminate floors are very easy to maintain. If you have young children, this type of floor would work perfectly for you.

Carpeting

Another option to consider is carpeting. Carpets can be bought cheaper since there are plenty of flooring warehouses everywhere. However, you would not be able to brush and mop these so you would need to vacuum them regularly. However, a carpet might not be the right choice if you have high humidity and water seepage problems but they can be very useful in the winter months as they can keep the room warm.

Hardwood Floors

Another option to consider during your basement remodeling plan is hardwood floors. Although it might seem like a little extravagant, it is not unheard of. It is possible to have hardwood floors in your basement. You should know, however, that these floors get easily damaged by water and high humidity so you should think about it well before undertaking installing these floors as a part of your basement remodeling plan.

Uses of a Finished Basement

The best thing about a basement remodeling project is that the finished basement has plenty of uses. The extra space that would be created can be used for almost anything you want, a play room for the kids, a home theater, a game room, entertainment space or a home office. There are several different options available to you if you want to use the basement space for something a more useful.

Planning Your Basement Remodeling

The first and the most important step in the project is effective planning. The first thing that you would have to decide is how you would like to use the extra spaces. The different uses of the space would require different designs and materials. For example, a playroom for the kids would need a different design than a home theater so it is best to clearly know how you would be using the new space.

Measure Twice, Cut Once

Once you know what you would be using the space for, the next step would be to measure the entire area that you want to finish. This is the most crucial stage in basement remodeling since wrong measurements can be disastrous. Do not forget to measure the height of the ceilings, the distance from the floor to the floor joists, floor to the bottom of the supports or ductwork etc. all of these details would be needed during the final plan of your project. It is better to measure twice to get the accurate measurements.

Do it Yourself or Hire a Contractor?

Another important decision that you would have to make is whether you would want to do the basement remodeling project yourself or if you would have to hire a contractor. Generally, a project like this would require skills in painting, drywalling, insulation, plumbing, wiring and carpentry. Even if you are skilled in all of these areas, you would have to think if you have the energy and the time to complete the project. A complete remodel project might take anywhere from three to six months if you work on weekends and evenings.

The Main Plan

The next step would be to make a detailed plan of the basement. You would have to include all the windows, doors, obstructions in the plan. Count the number of the pluming supplies, fixtures, wire, light fixtures, switches, electrical outlets etc that you would need. You would have to think if you have the tools required for the tasks or if you would have to rent or buy them. There are several home supply stores that can help you with the actual quantity of materials that you would need so you can take help from them.

Common Pitfalls

Given below are some of the most common pitfalls that you might come across during a basement remodeling or any other type of do it yourself project and tips on how you could minimize the mistakes.

Slacking on the Prep Work

Every single project would require some preparation work. Whether you are just installing new doors and painting them, replacing the floors of your basement or converting the entire basement into a home theater. Neglecting the prep work is the biggest mistake since it would lengthen your project time it would make you frustrated. If you want a professional looking result, you would have to invest some time in the preparation work.

Taking on More Work than You Can Handle

It would be best to think about how much you would be able to handle on your own before you actually start with the basement remodeling project. Sometimes, do it yourselfers undertake a huge remodeling project without thinking about the amount of work that it would require and then end up getting frustrated since they realize it is too much for them. For bigger projects it is always wise to ask friends for help or even approach a professional if you do not have too much time with you.

Not taking Enough Caution

Improvising on a basement remodeling project is a good idea but not if you do not take enough caution. Carelessness can be potentially dangerous in some situations and it is always wise to be careful and not undertake any work which you might not be aware about.

Not asking for Help

Quite a lot of do it yourselfers do not really like asking for help from anyone and are bent to complete the job by themselves. There are a few projects which would require more than one person and working with someone can actually be fun. It isn’t embarrassing to ask a friend to come and help rather than having to call a professional later to repair the mistakes.

Giving in to Dissatisfaction and Bad Attitude

If you know what lies ahead of you and if you are prepared, you would be ready to complete the basement remodeling project. When you take on a huge project like basement remodeling there are going to be a few road blocks. However, you should not let your dissatisfaction ruin your planning.
Home improvement projects can be very exhilarating. Plan well ahead of time and complete your project with perfection. You would be happy when you see the end result. Being prepared, taking caution and having a positive attitude are all crucial to get the project done right the very first time.

Start with the Basics

When considering a basement remodeling project, always start with the basics. You would have to paint the ceiling and the walls black. For the room’s flooring you would have to choose a dark colored carpet or any other type of surface which is easy to clean. For lighting, choose wall scones and recessed lighting. The dimmer switches create a realistic ambiance. If you want you can also create two stadium seating levels in the basement with some blocks of wood and sturdy plywood for elevated seating.

The Seating

For home theater basement remodeling, one of the most important decisions you would have to make is the seating. Theater seating is available is almost all furniture stores today. You can get two or four recliner chairs which are equipped with cup holder in the armrests and are linked together. These chairs can be found in plenty of fabrics and colors but the most popular ones are suede and leather. You can add some pillows and blankets on the seats for the ultimate comfort.

Accessorize Right

Once you have completed dealing with the more important details for the basement remodeling project, you can then start with accessorizing. Movie posters look great in home theaters. Large poster frames are actually quite inexpensive. You can even use a rich red velvet for framing the television screen and for blocking outside light. You can also install a freestanding or a built in bar in your home theater space. The built in bar can include some cabinets and sink. The complete bar for home theater should also have a mini refrigerator for stocking drinks and microwave for popping popcorn.

You can purchase a cabinet for media storage or an entertainment system to store the DVD collection. When you are selecting the main focal point for the home theater i.e. the equipment, you would be easily able to find speakers which can be installed in the walls for a clean appearance. The exterior of these speakers can be treated and painted. While a projection screen would provide you the ultimate experience, even on a shorter budget, you would be able to do well with a large television and surround sound.

A home theater basement remodeling is a fun project and once done, it would provide you with a space where you can entertain as well as spend time with your family.

Different Remodeling Ideas

Given below are a few ideas for your remodeling projects:

Home Theater

This is one of the most popular ideas since the room can be changed to provide you a very real movie theater type of experience with the help of a sound system and flat TV.

Home Office

There are quite a lot of people who prefer to use the basement as an office since it is quiet. With so many people working from home, the basement proves to be a good, easy home office project.

Game Room

Turning your basement into a game room can be a great way to create a space where the entire family can gather and enjoy some quality time together.

Home Gym

Those who are into workout can turn their basement into a gym with dedicated space for exercise equipment.

Entertainment Room

Basement remodeling can be an exciting project if you turn your basement into an entertainment or a bar room so that you can entertain your guests in a cozy, cool environment.

Things to Consider

Given below are a few tips and some things that you would have to consider while basement remodeling so that you do not face any comfort, safety or budget problems:

• If you are planning to hire a contractor, it is necessary to ensure that they are certified, qualified and reliable.

• Before you start the basement remodeling project, you would have to get an energy audit conducted to identify any electrical problems in the area so that there are no problems later on.

• You would have to check the local building codes to know the size of the windows and emergency exits to meet the requirements.

• Use area rugs, linoleum and tiles for the basement remodeling. In basements, it might get a little difficult to maintain a carpet.

• You would have to use better and more lights in the basement since there is very little natural light sources in the area.

• Even though basements are naturally cooler during summer and warmer in the winter months, you would need additional ventilation for better comfort. Ensure that your basement also has a thermostat.

• You would have to undertake installation to access ventilation, plumbing and electrical for the upper floor as well as the basement.

• Consider a horizontal design for the basement. This type of design emphasizes on the length and the width of the room. If you lay the tiles in diagonal patterns, the basement would look wider.

• It would be necessary to have a full or a half bath in the basement so that you do not have to run upstairs every time you want to use a bathroom.