Guest Blogger: Top 5 Basement Transformation Ideas

Guest Blogger #668, Entry #1587, September 11, 2012

The basement space in most homes is generally reserved for one of a couple of key purposes. Since most people prefer bedrooms at the ground level or higher because of better lighting and less likelihood of a cold, damp atmosphere, the basement rooms are often used for storage . Most people won’t even turn them into guest rooms if they have space elsewhere in the house. And if the basement is unfinished, forget about it; it’s almost certain to house stacks of boxes full of holiday decorations, old clothes, seasonal sports equipment, and the like. And downstairs areas that are finished are most likely to become play rooms for the kids (because who cares if they get thrashed) or a get turned into a second living room (that only gets used when both kids and adults want to have their own movie nights). So if you’re looking to transform your basement in a truly spectacular fashion, here are just a few ideas to try on for size.

How will you remodel your basement?

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1. Exercise room.

Whether you’re interested in bulking up with a full set of weights and machines that you might find in a gym, you’d prefer to install mirrored walls and a ballet bar, or you’d rather get your Zen on with a tranquil yoga studio (complete with an inversion wall), you can use your massive basement to create a perfect workout space in your home.

2. Home theater.

Sure you could set up a sizeable monitor, a couch, and a few beanbag chairs in the basement for the kids to use when you don’t want to watch their movies, but why not let the kids commandeer the upstairs family room while the adults take full advantage of the spacious basement to create a comprehensive home theater? You needn’t go all out with crazy carpeting and drapes that sweep aside at the touch of a remote, but you can definitely put in a giant TV (or even a projector), tiered theater seating (with the inclusion of a platform), a state-of-the-art surround sound system, and heck, even an old-timey popcorn machine. So keep the kids upstairs and turn the basement into your film-watching sanctuary.

Why not turn your basement into a man cave?

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3. Man cave. 

All men really want is a place to watch the big game, pour an Old Fashioned, smoke a cigar, and perhaps play a game of pool. At least, that’s what some men want. Whether you’re looking to imbue your basement with the atmosphere of a traditional boys club or you’d rather create a video game haven for you and your bros, the basement can provide you with the space to do it where the wife and kids don’t have to put up with the noise and smell.

4. Play room.

Okay, so it’s easy enough to throw a craft table and some toy bins in the basement, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your kids will want to play there. If you want to make the space attractive to children (and confine their noise and toys to one area), use bright paint on the walls, install plenty of lighting instead of a single, naked bulb, put in plush carpeting for them to roll around on, and basically turn the space into a fantasy land with furnishings, art, and amenities that will keep kids busy for hours on end.

Transform your basement into a play room.

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5. Rental unit.

Passive income is a great way to supplement your earnings, but you will likely need to spend some money up front on basement finishing in order to make your basement rental unit a reality. In truth, you’ll have to check in with your zoning board to ensure that you obtain proper permits and meet all requirements (like the addition of a kitchenette and a dedicated entryway). But if you’re not currently using this space, why not make a little money off it?

For more home improvement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.