Tips to Consider Before a Basement Conversion

Image via: HGTV – Candace Olson

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Ask yourself:

Why do I want to convert my basement to living space?

Knowing exactly what is motivating you to convert your basement (which is a large undertaking) is very important. By having a clear understanding of what your goals are, you’ll be able to plan out the best way to utilize the space, whether you’ll need services like plumbing, appliances, lighting etc, and the general design scheme for the room. It’s probably a good idea to work with a designer to get a good idea of how things will work best, but this isn’t strictly necessary.

How much do I want to spend?

Knowing your budget up front is absolutely imperative. Basement conversions can be costly, and it’s easy to spend more money than you intended if you don’t have a budget in mind beforehand.

Are there any physical architectural or structural issues?

Converting a basement to living space isn’t just about decorating. Often, there are existing issues that need to be addressed before the décor part of the conversion can take place. One of these issues can be whether your basement needs to be waterproofed before construction begins. Particularly if you live in an older home, dampness and water can be a problem. Before you can drywall and start the construction process, it’s absolutely imperative that you address the issue of waterproofing. Don’t skip this step in the name of trying to save money! Affordable waterproofing services are available in most cities. It’s necessary to ensure your basement is properly waterproofed, as failing to do so can mean that all of your hard work to drywall, install flooring, paint, and decorate could be in vain.

Foundation issues and other architectural concerns should also be addressed at the outside. Be sure your basement (and any changes you plan to make) meet local building codes.

If you live in a condo, you may have to secure advance permission from your Homeowner’s Association before you proceed.

Image via: Architecture Art Designs

Am I ready for the disruption this will cause?

Construction causes disruption; there’s no real way around that. You may not have electricity for a time, your water may be shut off, you’ll have to deal with dust and noise, etc. If you have small children or elderly members in the family, this can be especially disruptive. Be sure you are aware of this and prepared for it before you start the renovation.

Converting your basement is a great way to gain more living space in your home. Before you start picking out paint colors, however, it’s important to keep these key questions in mind.

For more basement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Iceberg Housing: Creative Space Saving Innovation

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How has the concept of Iceberg Housing Evolved?

In some cases these extensions have resulted in the property having more square footage below ground than above. For instance, Canadian TV tycoon David Graham’s underground four level extensions is twice the size of his actual house and will triple the size of the original property, at least according to the House Network. You may wonder, given the generous size of the property already, what on earth he is planning to do with all of the additional space. The answer is, of course, to add a ballroom, spa, servant’s quarter, twelve bedrooms, car parking spaces and an ‘art storage room’, and while some may scoff this adds invaluable space in cramped and restricted city regions.

The second thing they have in common with their namesake is although they are harmless in isolation they can cause untold damage and disruption to anything that comes within its path. In the case of iceberg houses this means major disruptions to both the lives and homes of those around them. This, it seems, is rather ironic given that their quest for more family room is inadvertently disrupting the family lives of their neighbors. This is because the actual excavation and renovation process, given the huge amounts of earth require thousands of skips to remove it and then the building work that follows can take years to undertake.

Iceberg Housing: Is it a viable and Innovative Extension concept or an exercise in Greed?

As anyone that has had neighbors that have had building work carried out, or even local road works, the noise and disruption can have a huge impact on your everyday life. This, it seems, is often too much for the residents of affluent areas of London such as Knightsbridge and Kensington. The residents there have been issuing petitions against such renovations citing that the extensions are not in proportion to the houses and will cause building problems with their own properties.

Indeed, there does seem to be some truth in this. Renovations to one Kensington property led to subsidence and cracks appearing in the neighboring properties walls. This was so bad that it caused one lady to be trapped inside her apartment when the wall subsided to such an extent that she was unable to open her own front door. This, it would seem, is a disproportionate amount of disruption for what would be, when finished, only a playroom for the family’s children and a spare bedroom.

Despite this, it cannot be denied that iceberg developments have merit in the modern age, as they add space and depth to homes that exist in congested spaces. The issue seems to be with the extent of these developments, as some would seem to cross the narrow line between need and excess.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Winter Organization: Revamping your Attic or Basement

Image via: Home Design

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Make your Attic a Guest Room

Typically, the more space that your home can offer the better, so with that being said have your attic or basement become spare bedrooms or dens for your home. Depending on how large or intimate your attic or basement is it can either be a guest suite for when family members come over for the holidays or unexpected visits, or even an extra den for the kids to go to when you need peace and quiet within your home. Perhaps you have a growing family and need a nursery these are great areas to begin with.

In Need of a Home Office

Maybe you and your spouse are starting a business or just a need a space dedicated to your work. Fortunately, the attic and basement are excluded enough for one to be able to do get there work done and not be bothered.  For this winter organizational tip, visit websites and magazines for inspiration about how to go about revamping your attic or basement into a home office and take off from there. You can even go as far as to make the office a family office that the kids can use for their homework and projects, just lay down some ground rules such as this is the homework room.

Image via: Design Ideas

A Home within a Home

How about creating an extra home within your home? That’s right, creating an apartment above or below your home. Contact a credible contractor to help assess your home and see you if can first turn the places into an apartment. You can rent it out, just be aware of your neighborhood, you might have a better turn out if you live near a local college or walkable neighborhood. Or you may just want to have a bigger space for your guests to be comfortable for there stay with you. The choices are yours.

Image via:  HGTV

The attic and basement are areas that just seemed to go unnoticed and after awhile become just another larger closet.  But that does not have to be the case, make these spaces work for you and grow into more than just another storage space.  The possibilities are endless for this winter organization project.  So go out research, explore and be inspired to do above and beyond within your interiors.  Do you have any revamping ideas for your attic or basement spaces?

For basement or attic ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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.

Image via:  John Willis Homes

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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.

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.

After seeing how you can transform your attic into an additional room with more storage space, it’s time for the underutilized basement to get attention. There are so many potential uses for a basement, that only your desire, needs and budget can help you choose the best solutions for your basement’s transformation.

Begin by imagining yourself in your new basement – what would it look like?

The bridge between a cluttered old basement and a brand new room must be built, but once you deal with usual problems like humidity or noise and other problems that you might encounter on a close inspection of the premises, you should listen to expert advice that can help you decide what modifications are necessary to transform the rarely used basement into an extra space for your favorite activity. A long and narrow basement would make a fantastic place to install a bowling lane – why not enjoy your favorite game in the privacy of you own home?

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Modern basements can become an extension of your home that houses any type of service you might think of – from children’s playrooms to wine cellars, workshops or gyms – we can all be attracted to a certain kind of recreational necessity. But why stop there? Imagine turning the basement into a dance studio, a media room, a recording studio or go even further with personal choices and imagine it as an emergency shelter or a hydroponic garden – the possibilities are endless.

There is even the possibility to make money with your basement. It requires an investment, but a basement can become a rental apartment that can bring in some extra cash. This idea brings additional costs and work – like building walls to separate the bathroom, kitchen (or kitchenette) and actual room/s – but the results will be satisfying. Maybe you should even consider adding a separate entrance so that you and your tenant have the required privacy.

Reclaiming a cluttered basement as your hard-earned recreational room can seem at first a project too large to take on. But even this challenge will add precious relaxation moments once the former basement acquires a new and upgraded status.

Move out then move in

Unravel the basement’s hidden potential by opening the windows to let the air inside and storing all those forgotten boxes in dedicated storage spaces, like the attic. Clean, organize and remove any unnecessary stuff, repair what needs to be repaired and then take a look around to see how much space there actually is. Can you imagine how you would like to use this additional square footage? If you can’t think of anything after this, then at least you have a clean, organized basement that awaits your inspiration.

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.

Image via

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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.

Image via

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.

Image via

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.

Whether you’re a record exec looking to branch out and turn some unknown bands into the top-grossing rock stars of tomorrow, you happen to have a band and you can’t afford the cost of studio time to lay down tracks, you run a one-man DJ operation and you’re looking to be the next Trent Reznor, or you simply do freelance voice over work from home, you might be wondering how to go about installing a basic recording studio in your personal domicile. And if you have some free space in your basement, there’s no reason you shouldn’t convert it into the work environment you need (or want). You’ll just need to be aware of a few key elements in order to ensure that you create a viable studio space conducive to fantastic recordings.

Image via: Bruce Palmer Interior Design

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The first thing to consider is that you’re really going to need two separate spaces; the sound booth where the actual recordings occur, and the mixing room where the captured audio is monitored and where all of the recording equipment resides. The sizes of these rooms could vary widely depending on the type of recording you plan to do and the equipment you choose to purchase, so you should create a plan before you ever break ground (so to speak) on your renovations. If you’re basement has already been built out (i.e. there are rooms instead of just a large, open space) then all you really need to do is cut a hole between two rooms where the viewing window will go and decide which room will be the sound booth and which will be the mixing room.

Now it’s time to start outfitting your space. The first thing to consider is soundproofing, and for the average home this is going to be a problem because insulation simply isn’t enough to keep outside noises out, not to mention create the ideal acoustic atmosphere required for quality recordings. So you’ll definitely want to install some acoustic foam and diffusers that will help to dispel exterior sound and keep inside noised from bouncing or otherwise becoming distorted. You may have to add several layers of padding, but this depends entirely upon the environment and the quality of materials used.

Image via: Tom Crane

Once you’ve got this necessity in place it’s time to start having some fun. If you’ve been involved in the industry for a while you may already have some musical instruments, mics, or DJ equipment on hand, or at the very least you might have some knowledge of what’s available on the market or the level of equipment you’ll need to get the desired results. In the case that you have absolutely no idea of the size and scope of gear you’ll need to accomplish your goals, you might want to go to a professional studio or chat up some musician friends to see what they recommend. The equipment you get may be subject to space requirements, budgetary limitations, or intended usage, so it’s important to consider all of these things before letting a salesman talk you into buying a pricy, state-of-the-art system that you really don’t need.

Evan Fischer is a contributing writer for Unique Squared, where you can find the best pro audio and DJ equipment, like the Tascam dr-05, at the lowest prices.

For more home improvement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

With winter in full swing the parts of your home that need the most protection are the ones exposed to the rain, snow, slush and mud on a daily basis. Whether this is your front entry, garage entry, laundry or mudroom, the need to have a place for all the wet stuff is crucial. If you have the option of having a large mudroom, you are fortunate. For those of us that have a small room, or maybe just a hallway, this post is for you (I’m raising my hand here, as I only have a laundry room wall!).

One from the archives…..

Image via: Bhg

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Original Entry #416, February 13, 2011

Have you ever noticed that the one place in your home that gets the most dirt, wear and tear, and wet spots is the entrance to your home? Whether you enter your home from the main front door, a garage door, or even a side laundry room, trying to keep this area organized and clean can be a challenge.

Last year mudrooms were the second most viewed topic and post on Stagetecture – Best of 2010 – #2: Mudrooms: A Place for Storage, Sitting and Slickers

Of course we would all love massive mudrooms that you can fit your child’s bedroom in, but what if you don’t have a lot of space? Today’s post is dedicated to making a small space into a mudroom. While it may not be a ‘room’, designating a hub spot for all of the boots, hats, backpacks and umbrella’s would certainly help – right?

Here are a few ideas to turn your small entry, or corner of your garage or laundry room into a perfect mudroom.. or mudspace!

Here are key items to make sure you have all the mudroom amenities you should need.

1.) Storage:

Movable, versatile boxes and baskets, as well as wall hooks for coats, winter wear and pet supplies!

2.) Wet wear placement:

If you don’t have floor space, how about build cubbies with rubber mats to store shoes, and then have a bench to sit on below?

3.) Maximize wall space

If you don’t have space to install cabinetry, use hooks and creative placement of wall organization to still have a perfect mudroom area.

For more mudroom ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Here’s a post from the archives last year, that I think is very fitting for all of you – getting ready to bring in the New Year and pack up from the holidays. Trust me, if you have a basement, storage closet, or garage… this one is for you!

 

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I showed you how to:

• Organize your Kitchen Pantry

• Organize your Garage

• Creating a DIY Home Theater

Today we are going to focus on the very bottom your home, the basement. The basement is one of the rooms of your home that can either be finished off to use as livable space, or it can truly be used for storage. Either way, getting to the point of being able to use it is another story.

It always helps to see someone else have a method to organizing their basement contents. Here is a You Tube video that shows how to sort your contents into three areas, organize, label and store them.

Today I found an article from Martha Stewart on organizing your basement.

The first step to organizing the basement is to take a rough inventory of what you have: Decide what you can give away or throw out, such as old bikes, children’s toys, and broken tools.

Clean and Paint Walls and Floor

Painting the interior walls and floors will cut down on dust, mildew, and dampness, making the basement easier to keep clean. First, clean the walls and floor thoroughly with detergent and water (follow with a diluted bleach solution if mold is present); fill pores and gouges with grout or resin filler; then apply latex or oil-based paints or sealants.

Set Up Shelving

Wood or metal shelving units placed near the stairs can hold wine, paper towels, bottled water, cleaning supplies, and other bulk items where they will be most accessible. Stash a flashlight here, so it’s handy for power outages. On long-term storage shelves, use waterproof plastic utility crates or steel storage trunks to hold sports equipment or other seasonal items, tools, hardware, and cans of paint. Be sure your shelves are adjustable, to accommodate outdoor furniture and large boxes.

Install Pegboard

To keep loose items from falling off the backs of freestanding shelves, tack pegboard behind the shelves. Install pegboard on the wall in places where you need to hang things: an ironing board and a few shelves for light objects in the laundry area, for example.

Use Ceiling Space

Hang garden hoses, chairs, and lighting fixtures from joists in the ceiling. Avoid hanging items from pipes — the resulting stress on the pipes could damage them

Fire

Never store highly combustible items in your basement unless they are in a closed cabinet. Keep a clutter-free zone at least 18 inches deep around your furnace. Have a fire extinguisher handy (CO2 extinguishers are best; they don’t harm electrical systems). Install a smoke detector.

Gases

Check with your county extension agent to see if carcinogenic radon gases from uranium tailings in the soil are a problem in your area. If so, buy a tester; if you have elevated radon levels, hire an expert to vent the gases outside. Carbon monoxide is another gas that can be deadly, so install a carbon-monoxide detector.

Electricity

Install ground-fault-interrupting electrical outlets throughout the basement to prevent shock from improperly grounded equipment. Elevate the washer and dryer several inches off the floor to prevent electrical shock during flooding. Have a furnace shut-off switch installed at the top of the stairs.

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

Best of 2011 – #4

Father’s Day: Man Caves and Gift Ideas

We continue with Stagetecture’s Best of 2011! and at #4 is all about Dad’s and their love for man caves! It’s interesting to see this post still get so much fanfare from you the readers. Whether you are trying to create your own personalized one, or you just enjoy drooling over some impressive man caves, #4 this year helps you turn that spare room into the perfect man cave!

Image via: Houzz

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Original Entry #560, June 18, 2011

Happy DIY Saturday and tomorrow is Father’s Day! Today’s DIY Saturday is focused on what to give Dad. Whether he likes his own sanctuary or ‘man cave’ or you are trying to get gift ideas, today’s DIY Saturday is for you!

You Tube video from Six Minute Style – gives Father’s Day Gift Ideas. Then see one of Stagetecture’s archive posts for the perfect Man Cave ideas and what to include in one for Dad.

Happy Father’s Day Dads!

Original Entry – DIY Saturday #5, Entry #116, June 19, 2010

In honor of Father’s Day tomorrow, I thought I would showcase a room that Father’s like to call their own. Entertainment Rooms or affectionately called “Man Caves”. Traditionally, DIY Saturday’s focused on projects and resources to help you

start and finish a home project.

Today – let’s see what items you need and get inspiration to make your own man cave.

According to My Bad Pad, a “Man Cave” is a room in the house (although some men have been known to renovate sheds), where a man can get away from the pressures of daily family life. It is his personal refuge full of his favorite things. Man Caves come in all shapes, sizes and themes but one thing they all have in common is loads of testosterone.

The “Man Cave” is no longer an elusive dream. According to a recent survey by Servicemagic.com, 40% of homeowners say that their home already has a man cave and another 13% said a man cave is either in the planning stage or in the process of being built.

These amenities are the top items that go into a Man Cave:

• Flat screen TV (75%)
• Recliner (69%)
• Stereo (68%)
• Refrigerator (67%)
• DVD player (67%)
• Computer (65%)
• Bar (64%)

Image via: DIY Network

Look at these great examples that will make you want to start planning your own!

For you Harley Davidson fans, take a look at this man cave in the garage. Hey, you need to be able to park your Harley right next to you! Complete with: Humidor, Refrigerator for beer, 46” LCD TV, Gaming System and Custom Bar with glass top.

Want to feel like you’re at a sports bar? Take a look at this one with a Fireplace, Dartboard, Flat screen t.v., leather seating, full person bar, guitars and amplifier.

Are you a NASCAR Earnhardt fan? Take a look at this man cave perfect for watching the races! Look at the amenities:

50” HDTV
Yamaha Amp and DVD
PSB Image Series speakers (5) with a 12” sub
Wall to wall Diamond Plate Flooring by www.racedeck.com
(43) 1/24 die cast cars featuring legends of yesterday and famous paint schemes on the Daytona Track
(195) Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. 1/24 scale die cast
Converted Craftsmen Workbench into a bar
Beer Fridge
6 Bottle Shot Steward
Race Fan Furniture
Home Security System

To see Stagetecture’s Best of 2011 – click here.