Finishing your basement is an effective way to add value and create extra living space, yet there are numerous considerations when creating rooms for entertainment, relaxation and work.
As an example, you should design your basement so it can easily adapt over time, such as adding or removing walls to change its flow of space. No matter the size of your project, it’s important to implement careful planning and design the room with flexible usage in mind. Here are 8 tips for having a stress-free basement renovation, including budgeting the cost of basement renovation.
1. Work With A Contractor You Can Trust
Many homes include unfinished basements that often go untouched and neglected. Turning yours into a home theater, extra bedroom and bathroom or anything else could significantly increase the value of your property and boost its overall marketability. Remodeling this area could even increase its saleability!
As part of your hiring process, it’s crucial that you work with a contractor you trust. Take time to read reviews online and request references from past clients before selecting one based on a “allowances” system which covers additional expenses without your consent.
Choose a contractor who clearly specifies costs in their bid and provides itemized quotes so you can evaluate and make informed decisions about what contractor to select.
2. Be Flexible
Mold can be a serious health risk and must be eliminated from any basement before using it as living space, as prolonged exposure may result in breathing issues for anyone spending extended time there.
An important step of any basement remodel should include installing insulation. This will prevent warm or cold air from seeping in through leaky vents, saving money on energy costs. Furthermore, upgrading metal windows with glass ones is an excellent way to increase natural lighting while simultaneously helping decrease moisture.
3. Create A Plan
Renovating their basement gives homeowners an opportunity to turn unutilized space into something enjoyable and comfortable living area. From creating guest bedrooms or home offices to home theaters or man caves, quality contractors are on hand to help their clients realize their vision for this unused area of the house.
Making a plan for your renovation will make the process smoother for both you and your contractor, including determining what you intend to use the room for, identifying any necessary features such as an Egress window or plumbing, as well as planning storage solutions and organization strategies.
Communication between yourself and contractors is vitally important to avoiding miscommunication and disagreement that may result in frustration.
4. Make A Budget
One of the key steps of any renovation project should be setting a budget. Doing this will allow you to stay within your means while preventing you from overspending.
Waterproofing can be one of the more costly parts of basement finishing, yet it is vital. Saving money by skipping this step could cause serious issues down the line.
One of the best ways to create an inviting basement space is with carpeting. Not only will it warm the space up in colder months, but carpeting also covers up cracks or imperfections in concrete flooring that might otherwise make a space feel uninviting.
5. Get Creative With Paint
Basements may not always be seen as the most appealing area of a home, with their concrete floors, concrete block walls, and overhead ductwork. But even this unattractive space under your house can be transformed into an appealing living area that adds value and serves multiple functions for you and your family.
Basement bars provide the ideal place for hosting friends and watching big game in comfort, whether that means entertaining visitors or simply chilling out while watching a match at home. By adding bar stools and a fridge with cold beverages on tap for refreshments while watching, a basement bar will surely become one of your go-to spots for relaxation and entertaining!
Creating an in-law suite in your basement can offer visiting family members privacy while keeping costs to a minimum. By creating separate bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas for guests in their stay without resorting to costly hotel stays – an in-law suite can give your visitors what they need for a pleasant visit!
6. Add Variety To Your Lighting
If you love entertaining, a basement entertainment room can provide the ideal place for family and friends to come together and catch up. Create an inviting atmosphere by adding a bar area complete with long countertops and bar stools so guests can cheer on their favorite teams or relax with a good book in front of the television screen.
Install dropped ceilings to make your basement more livable; this will conceal pipes or ducts while also creating an appealing aesthetic. Also consider soundproofing it; though this may not seem necessary now, soundproofing could prove essential should teenage occupants move into your space or you plan to turn your basement into an at-home gym in future years.
7. Make Your Bathroom Feel Warm And Inviting
Many homeowners renovate their basement to create a space where family and friends can gather. This could include creating an area to watch sports games or movies, play board games or create an area for teens to hang out and study.
Before planning how you’ll utilize your basement, it is vital that all mold and mildew have been eradicated – this is because inhaling airborne mold spores can cause serious health concerns.
An uninviting basement bathroom doesn’t need to be, with just a few small changes transforming it into something warm and welcoming. Warm-toned paint colors and earthy accents can help add warmth and coziness to the space.
8. Add A Vent
Attic renovation can take many forms. Although discussions often center around where to put an air hockey table or whether or not to add a bathroom, many homeowners overlook their heating and cooling requirements when planning.
Basements do not naturally ventilate as effectively as upper floors due to limited access and limited window coverage, as well as less frequent door opening and closing resulting in poor circulation of air flow.
Installing vents can help your basement breathe by increasing airflow, helping reduce moisture, save energy, and cut costs. They are also an easy and aesthetically pleasing way to hide pipes and ductwork.
