Maximize Your Basement: Tips for Remodeling this Essential Part of You
by Guest on Feb 20, 2013
When people think about renovating their homes, they often overlook a major component of their house: the basement. Sure, you can leave the basement just the way it is, but you’re probably not maximizing the space you have in your house. There are a lot of options when it comes to reconditioning a basement - you can turn it into a child’s playroom, a family room or a specialty area, like a game room with a pool table or a craft room.
Types of Basements
There are two basic types of basements:
- Basements that are not intended to be a living space but are instead just for storage.
- Basements that are livable thanks to insulation, carpeting, and other amenities.
Older homes tend to have basements that are primarily for storage, while newer homes have livable space in the basement.
There Are Too Many Options!
A Man Cave for him versus a gift wrapping room for her? A second playroom for the kids versus a spare bedroom for when guests come to stay? If you have a livable basement area, there are so many options that you may have a hard time deciding on just one. The most important part of a renovation is making sure you know what you’re going to do before you even begin. Without a solid plan in mind - and on paper - your renovation isn’t going to turn out well.
To decide what you want your basement to be, think about your lifestyle. Is there something that you feel is lacking? In the evening, do you wish you had a space to retreat to where you can quietly read? Your basement may have a “library” written all over it. During the day, do you need more space to work from? Sprawl out in your new basement office.
But What Can I Do With an Older Basement?
If your basement is too cold and industrial to turn into a room where people will want to hang out, there are still plenty of options for refurbishing. Some basements need a good cleanup so that they can be safely used for storage space. You can also create a laundry area in the basement or build a gym. Think about what you wouldn’t mind doing in the space you have. For example, you may not want to relax in the basement to watch a movie, but your teenage boys would probably love an area to play air hockey with their friends.
Considerations When Renovating a Basement
If your basement’s gone unused for years, there are a few things to take into consideration before adding games or furniture to the room:
- Are the walls, floor, and ceiling in need of repair?
- Is there a mold problem that you need a professional to address?
- Do you have an older home with asbestos in the walls? If so, you need a trained professional to safely renovate.
- Are your HVAC and plumbing systems up to date? Do you even have those systems set up in the basement?
- Does your furnace need to be replaced or retrofitted?
Also, whatever you turn your basement into, you’re going to need a lot of light. Since you don’t have any full windows in the basement that will let in natural light, you’ll need to either set up plenty of lamps or install overhead lighting if there’s isn’t any yet.
Sticking to a Budget
Lastly, your basement remodel will have a lot to do with how much money you have to spare. If you can’t afford a full renovation yet, don’t scrap the idea entirely. You’d be surprised at how much a good cleanup and a new coat of paint can do for space. Slowly start your renovation and as time goes on, continue adding to it.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
94912 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
74301 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71745 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
52741 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30576 Views
Latest Articles
10 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget
A concrete patio can be a game-changer for your outdoor space. It is durable, versatile, and can be customized to fit your style. But what if you...
on Mar 25, 2025
Tips for Creating a Stunning Personalized Photo on Canvas
Order the unique beauty of a personalized photo on canvas and bring your memories to life. With a customized photo on canvas, you can transform...
on Mar 7, 2025
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
on Feb 18, 2025
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
on Feb 18, 2025
Real Estate / Finance

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 264
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 203
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
More DIY Articles
Creating Your Planting Areas
In most cases, it is best to create planting beds with a slight crown, or hill, near the middle of the bed and sloping downward toward the edges....
Dormant Pruning - Part 2
Pruning cuts must be made with full knowledge of future consequences, relying on our perception, or visualization, of the plant's growth...
Why Everyone Should Have Live Edge Wood Furniture
In recent years, live edge wood furniture has become increasingly popular. Aside from being the perfect kind of wood to achieve the perfect rustic...
Wallpaper Repair - Repasting, Blisters, Tears, Spots
Damaged wallpaper can be repaired. It's ideal if you have extra wallpaper that matches the pattern for repairs. Repasting, removing clusters,...
5 Tips to Help You Win a Foreclosure Auction
Auctions are chaotic even if you are an experienced pro. Foreclosure auctions are a crazy affair, full of homeowners trying to snag the best-valued...