Guest Blogger: 5 Remodeling Tips for a Successful Basement Remodel

Guest Blogger #920, Entry #2267, April 5, 2013

Are you thinking about a basement renovation? Many a basement suffers the fate of being unfinished and virtually unusable. Or worse, this otherwise wasted space ends up playing host to a mish-mash of items that should be donated or thrown away. But rather than letting your basement become a black hole of storage, you might want to add to your usable square footage by spending a few bucks to finish the drywall, slap on some paint, lay down carpeting, and install fixtures. Before you know it your shabby basement area could become a chic hangout thanks to a rec room, a home theater setup, or even the addition of a bar. And here are just a few ideas to help you come up with a remodeling plan.

Basement remodeling tips for your home

Image via:  John Willis Homes

Consider usage.

The first step towards remodeling a basement that’s down in the dumps, so to speak, is to think about what you might use the space for. Do you need additional bedrooms for your growing family, an office space for a work-at-home parent, or a granny flat for the in-laws? Perhaps you wouldn’t mind having an extra entertainment area for kids so that adults in the house can use the TV once in a while. Maybe the mister wants a man-cave, or the missus would like a yoga retreat. The point is that there are myriad ways you could remodel your blank canvas of basement space, so the usage bears some consideration.

Create a layout.

Planning is perhaps the most important part of the remodeling process, and if you take your time here you will save a lot of time, money, and effort down the line. There are all kinds of digital tools out there to help you, so you no longer need to rely on graph paper and a pencil to plot your layout. You can use computer software like SmartDraw (with free download) or spend a few bucks ($4.99, to be precise) for the Mark on Call application (Home Design DIY) that allows you to create beautiful floor plans and take them with you wherever you go.

Check modern trends.

All you need is a stack of magazines like Better Homes and Gardens or Architectural Digest and access to the internet to get a feeling for what’s trending right now in modern interior design. The Houzz mobile app is also a great way to get ideas on the go. Or you can visit showrooms to see what’s out there. The idea is to take it all in, make note of trends that appeal to you (or put up a collection of pics on Pinterest), and then create a cohesive and modern design using the trends you’ve chosen.

Use these remodeling tips for your home

Image via: Jaffa Group Design Build

Shop second-hand.

Not everyone has a ton of dough to drop on a remodel, but you can still have the chic interior you crave, and likely add a little personality, by utilizing second-hand sources to secure the materials needed for you basement update. With yard sales, thrift stores, and Craigslist all at your disposal, you should have no trouble finding everything from reclaimed hardwood flooring to seating and accessories for your good-as-new basement. A little TLC may be required, but you’ll end up with an upgraded space at less cost.

Hire some help.

Not everyone has the creative skills or technical know-how to remodel a basement, so you might want to ask friends and family for referrals or head to http://www.remodelpros.com/ to seek out qualified professionals in your area that can help you to create and carry out an interior design that will take your basement from shabby to chic. For more DIY remodeling ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

For more Remodeling ideas on Stagetecture, click here.