Basement Renovations: Simple Solutions

If you're looking to add value to your home, finishing-off otherwise unused space such as a basement is an excellent way to accomplish this goal.

Assuming your basement has no major issues with mold or wetness, summer is an ideal time for a basement remodel including painting, adding walls, drapery, and floor covering.

Before you get out that paint can, consider how you want to use your basement space. Do you want to use this room for recreation? Do you need an additional bedroom? Or perhaps, you want to design a "mothers-in-law" suite or a basement apartment for rental income. The latter may require adding a bathroom or even small kitchen.

Depending on the age of your home, you should also consider insulation, something especially important for older basements. Adding extra insulation will make your downstairs area more hospitable and comfortable during all seasons. You can add insulation in between the framing that you already have and easily nail in some drywall. Another even simpler option is to add caulk around window edges and hang thick drapes over the windows. Likewise, you can also add carpets and flooring tiles to further increase the warmth in your basement.

If you're looking to create a recreation room, home office, or gym, you can accomplish this with some simple and affordable changes. Consider buying remnant carpets to use on the floor. You can use duct tape to put the pieces together to form a cheap but chic area rug. If you are not into carpeting, painting over concrete can also transform your basement from dull to fab. Prefer a pattern to solid color? Try using tape to outline shapes or create a checkerboard pattern before you paint.

Interested in transforming your basement into a home theater? You should consider whether you want to add built-in shelves or buy appropriate furniture: most components are too deep for ordinary shelves, so be sure that when you construct a unit or buying shelves, they are extra deep (a minimum of 22 inches is usually necessary).

Also don't forget to accommodate for electrical wires. Dangling wires are not only unattractive, they can also be dangerous. If buying furniture, choose pieces that have an enclosed channel at the back so that wires can be safely arranged and tucked out of sight.

Last but not least, you should figure in lighting and electrical outlets for your new basement. The investment in an electrician, ceiling lights, and a ceiling fan for added circulation, will make this space as functional as any other room in your home.

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