Finishing your basement with a specific goal will allow you to design the space you and your family crave. Because the basement is tucked away underneath the rest of your house, you can decorate and design the space in a more creative manner that you might not feel comfortable with in more public rooms.
First Things First
Basements can be a natural place for water to pool and collect, which is generally not conducive to a living space. Before beginning your design project, make sure there are no leaks and that you have a proper drainage system in place around your home.
Temperature control is another major factor to consider when designing your basement. Basements are typically cool, damp places, which may be ideal during the summer, but not the winter. Include an ample heat source, such as a gas stove or fireplace or consider a floor heater if your budget allows.
Lighting
Lighting is more important in basement settings than in any other room in your home. This is because the basement sits below ground and lacks the natural sunlight that’s typically found in the upper levels of your home through windows.
Consider installing French doors or additional windows in your basement. French doors can lead to a small exterior patio or grace the top of the stairs to let in more light. Chances are, you will still need more light in your basement. Include track lighting, lamps and more lighting fixtures in the basement to aid in brightening up the area.
Colors
Bright colors can brighten up the basement to keep it from feeling dreary. This is a good option if your basement will be used as a child’s play space, teenager’s hangout or game room. Light, airy colors such as white, ivory, blue-gray or a pale yellow can work for formal rooms or guest suites and keep the space from feeling gloomy.
Get creative with the space. For a child’s playroom, create an enchanted forest, jungle, island or other magical area your children will want to play in for hours. Let your teen use one wall as a graffiti wall or art wall to decorate over time if the space will primarily be used as their hangout.
If it’s your game or media room, hang posters of your favorite movies, video games or create a 1950’s diner vibe with pictures of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, if that’s more your style.
Practical Uses
Hide pipes and wires behind the ceiling or walls, if possible. Build partition walls that hide support posts, or incorporate them into built-in shelves or wet bars.
Separate different activity areas in the basement with low shelves if you don’t want to add additional walls. Take advantage of any areas where the roof slopes by building shelves, benches, window seats or other practical pieces that can contribute to the appearance and function of the basement.
Partition off an unfinished area for storage, and cover the doorway with a folding bookcase or other attractive feature. Include at least a half-bathroom in the basement, even if you don’t plan to include a guestroom. The bathroom will cut down on extra trips upstairs and can cut down on accidents with younger children.
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Tags: Basement, Decorate and design, Designing your basement, Lighting is more important in basement
