Tag Archives | Inspiration

Turning a Basement Into A Family Room: Designs & Ideas

A Fun and Comfortable Space (1): Some ways to make the basement family room more fun and entertaining would be to have a pool table (2) or a pit, pillow mound, or beanbags in front of the TV area seen in picture (3). If you want to turn your basement TV room into a home theater have a look at our post here for ideas: (Designs and Ideas For a Basement Home Theater).

Snacks and Drinks: A bar countertop is something to have in a family living room (4), along with a small refrigerator for drinks and snacks. If you want to go a step further there is the option of a dry or even a wet bar (8 Different Basement Bar Ideas and Designs).

Dividing Into Rooms: If you have a large basement space it can be divided up to create multiple rooms. Or even just hanging curtains can be used to hide away different areas:

Gym (Ideas for Setting up a Home Gym in a Basement)
Home Office (Ideas For Turning a Basement Space Into A Home Office)
Kitchen (Looking at Basement Kitchen Ideas and Designs)
Wine Cellar (3 Ideas for Basement Wine Cellar Designs)
For kid friendly ideas like having a chalkboard wall have a look at our post here: playroom (Fun Basement Playroom Ideas: From Softening the Floor to Swings)

Storage: Just like any family room, it will need storage. Built in or free standing? Have a look at our post here for ideas (In The Basement: Storage and Organization Ideas).

The Nook (5): Some unique basement family room ideas revolve around the nook under the staircase. A lot of people have turned that space into a cozy office, playroom, or storage space – The Space Under The Stairs: Ideas and Designs.

Lighting: Lighting is also an important part in making a basement feel like a comfortable space. For ideas on how to light the basement the best way have a look at our post here (Design Guide: Basement Lighting Ideas and Options). (6) Windows are one way to do this, as it brings in sunlight during the day – some places will require you to have certain types of windows fitted into a basement because of fire concerns.

The Walls: (7) For ways on decorating the walls of the basement have a look at these two posts: (Decorating Basement Walls: Ideas from Stamped Concrete to Chalkboard Paint) (A Palette Guide To Basement Paint Colors). 1/2/3/4/5/6/7

February 7, 2013 in Basement, Living Room

Turning a Basement Into a Bedroom: Designs and Ideas

The greatest thing you can do with a basement bedroom is to make it feel like it is any other bedroom in the house. Lighting will play an important role in making the space feel comfortable. In the day time that job can be given to sunlight. In some places it is required by law to have certain types of windows in a basement bedroom (due to fire safety). For privacy, simple ideas include curtains and blinds but you could also opt for frosted glass.

As for light fixture ideas, recessed lighting would be best as it is a clean and simple design. If you want a bedroom to feel cozy then use table, floor, and wall lamps (avoiding using ceiling lights makes a space feel cozy and secluded). Ideas for making a bedroom space feel large include using framed mirrors and light colored wall paint (A Palette Guide To Basement Paint Colors).

Some space saving basement bedroom ideas include opting for a bed with storage under it. Built in closets will also make the most use of a bedroom space. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

February 6, 2013 in Basement, Bedroom

Design Guide: Basement Bathroom Ideas

(1) The biggest decision when it comes to designing a basement bathroom will be whether to go for a half bathroom which is made up of a toilet and a sink, or to go with a full bathroom which includes a shower/bath. Unless space is a major issue, adding a shower doesn’t add too much to the cost of the remodeling – as one of the major expenses is the plumbing work (which is needed anyway for the sink and toilet).

(2) Going with a vanity sink (pictured) vs. a pedestal sink saves space and adds storage below the sink area.

(3) Built in shelving is another space saving design idea.

(4) Other basement bathroom ideas include incorporating a laundry space. Since the plumbing is already being planned when doing a basement bathroom, a laundry area in the bathroom (or as a room itself in the basement (Design Ideas For That Perfect Basement Laundry Room)) would be a great add on.

(5) Large mirrors will make the small space feel larger (as well as using bright paint colors on the walls (A Palette Guide To Basement Paint Colors)).

(6) Lighting is another design element that can make the bathroom feel larger. A go to choice is recessed ceiling lights. The most important area in a bathroom to light is the space around a mirror. The best way of lighting this is to have one light on each side of the mirror (pictured) and even one above the mirror shining down. In the daytime nothing will beat daylight shining through the windows. You’ll want to go with frosted or block windows for privacy.

(7) When it comes to the floors, options include tile, concrete or vinyl (Flooring Ideas For a Basement). 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

14 Different Room Ideas For a Basement

February 6, 2013 in Basement, Bathroom

Looking at Basement Kitchen Ideas and Designs

One of the main things to consider when looking at basement kitchen ideas and photos, like the ones above, is the general layout and style you want. Since most basement kitchens are accompanied by a family room, the best designs tends to be open planned. Some ways to divide the space include using a countertop which can also double as a bar (8 Different Basement Bar Ideas and Designs) or having a small kitchen island.

Other design elements that will determine the style of the kitchen are the cabinets and the walls. When it comes to the walls you can simply have it painted or have a textured finish using stone or tiles (A Palette Guide To Basement Paint Colors), (Decorating Basement Walls: Ideas from Stamped Concrete to Chalkboard Paint).

When it comes to lighting, the same applies to any kitchen lighting design. You want to have lighting focused around any work areas. So under cabinet lights that shine down onto countertops are great, as well as pendant lights hanging over a kitchen island or bar countertop. An alternative idea would be to use track lights which can have each individual light angled to a specific area.

Side Note: If you are planning a remodeling of a basement and looking to have a kitchen installed, which will require plumbing work, why not add in laundry room (if you have space) and have all the plumbing done at once (Design Ideas For That Perfect Basement Laundry Room). 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9