Basement Remodeling Ideas

One of the most unused spaces in a home is precisely where you should invest your resources, and there a dozen or more basement remodeling ideas that will:

• Add square footage to your home
• Provide a place to relax, unwind or exercise
• Give you extra private space for a home office, theater or work out room
• Offer an additional room for entertaining family and friends

Basements are usually dark, low-ceilinged areas of the home, so put a lot of thought into the design and concept of your remodel. The special details will make it a warm, welcoming place.

Here are a few design schemes to consider when contemplating basement remodeling ideas.

One of the best ways to utilize a cozy basement space is to convert it into a home theater, complete with a big screen television, cozy chairs, a surround sound speaker system, and a host of other electronics, such as a DVD player, iPod docking station, and gaming equipment. Some important considerations when planning a home theater are:

• Do you want a high-definition television or a screen with a projector?
• Consider your sound equipment needs - the number of speakers, subwoofers, and wiring components, and don’t forget soundproofing
• Seating--a couple of big cozy sofas might suffice, or you can also install specialty home theater seats for an authentic experience

If you find it difficult to motivate yourself to get to the gym on a regular basis, then perhaps it is time to consider converting an under-used basement space into a home exercise room. Even with a limited budget you can create an area that is conducive to your workout needs.

• Decide which type of exercise you like the most--running on a treadmill, working out on an elliptical trainer, a rowing machine, or a stair stepper
• If you aren’t big into weight lifting, then begin with a small set of hand held weights ranging from three to 25 pounds. An inexpensive bench, stability ball, and yoga mat for stretching will complete a basic home gym
• If you want a more advanced set up, consider rubberized flooring that will withstand heavier weights and high traffic
• A wall of mirrors helps open the space visually and gives you a reason to practice and concentrate on proper form
• Decide what kind of entertainment you need to keep you motivated. Do you like to watch television or listen to heart pumping music?

Any wine enthusiast will tell you that there are many variables to think about when building a home wine cellar, including temperature, storage systems, labeling, preservation, and more. A basement is the perfect place to keep wine because it is typically cooler than the rest of your home, and is also protected from direct sunlight.

Consider the following ideas before you start drawing up plans.

• How many bottles do you plan on storing--cellars can hold anywhere from a hundred to several thousand bottles, depending on your level of investment
• What type of wine rack do you want? There are hundreds of different styles, so choose one that fits your needs and your decor
• Look closely at cooling systems. They are not air conditioners, but rather specially engineered systems that regulate the temperature and humidity conducive to wine storage
• If your collection is vast and/or expensive, think about installing a cellar monitoring system which contacts you if there is a glitch in the humidity or cooling system

Game rooms are a wonderful place for family gatherings or for entertaining friends. A basement is an ideal location to house a pool table, foosball table, video game equipment, and a home entertainment center, and other entertainment components that might not fit in elsewhere in your home.

Consider installing a small bar area complete with a refrigerator for beverages, a sink, and storage if you plan on turning your basement into an entertainment area for friends and family. If you like to play cards or board games, look for a gaming table where the kids can play Monopoly or the adults can indulge in a game of poker.

More and more people are telecommuting from home, and a well-organized, expansive home office is imperative to a professional environment. Compact basement spaces are particularly conducive to a home office because the smaller area isn’t as useful for an entertainment room or home theater.

The most important consideration for a home office is lighting. Make sure you have ample illumination, particularly if there is limited window space. If you have the budget and the structural capacity, consider widening the existing windows to create more natural light.

Also ensure your layout includes plenty of space for filing cabinets, a small copier/fax machine, bookshelves, a large desk to spread out your workload, and adequate electrical outlets.

There are a plethora of companies that specialize in basement remodeling, as well as hundreds of websites dedicated to those who decide to do it themselves. Here are a few excellent resources for you to tap into before you launch into a remodel:

• HGTV.com
• BasementIdeas.com
• DoItYourself.com
• FinishedBasementIdeas.com
• FinishedBasement.com

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