Basement renovations of today are not your grandparent’s projects.

by: Craig H Guido, CS

For years wood paneling has been the staple of a finished basement.

The majority of basements were that we're finished in the 79's and 80's were done with faux wood paneling stapled to 2x4's with little or no insulation, making for a cold uninviting space. To day's basements can be designed in to more relevant and comfortable space in your home. Here are some tips on how you can make your basement into a more warning and inviting living

1. Lots of lighting: a basement should have more lighting than above-grade areas. Most basements don’t have a lot of natural light. And with today’s LED lighting options you can make a basement feel warm with artificial lighting.

2. Light wall and trim colors: because most basements have few or no windows utilizing light colors on the walls, trim and ceiling will help keep the room feeling more open.

3. Headroom is critical: You want to make sure that the ceiling height is as high as possible. So your design should addresses moving, relocating or installing new ducts and pipes in wires if possible. (There are state building code requirements about how high your ceiling height has to be.)

4. Use horizontal design elements to emphasize the width and length of the room rather than its lack of height. Set tiles in a diagonal pattern to make the room feel wider.

5. By adding a separate heating zone with its own thermostat you can control the temperature in just the new space, so when you’re not using the room you don’t have to heat the space.

6. Adding an extra Full-bathroom in the basement is a popular

way to increase the functionality and value of the house. Utilizing a well designed plan we can either find in stock items or you can opt for a custom shower, with some of the following options: built-in seat, steam, walk-in, and multiple heads. Saunas are also increasing in popularity.

7. Built in Cabinets and Shelving gives you are great place for extra storage without having to have a lot of furniture cluttering the space. Huntwood cabinets can be utilized to create an entertainment cabinet that the TV and components can be stored.

8. Built in Bar: By adding some Huntwood Cabinets (which we match to the kitchen cabinets) you can add some nice finishing touches to the room, and have a comfortable place to host your guests.

9. By adding some foundation sealant and a dehumidifier we can help reduce the moisture in the room and almost eliminate that tell-tale basement smell.

10. Spending the money to include a subfloor product like “Dri-Core” as a subfloor over the concrete prior to installing carpeting can help increase the air flow allowing the concrete to breathe reducing the potential for mold and mildew. This subfloor will also help the floor feel warmer by getting the flooring up off of the concrete.

With the right design tips you will appreciate your basement just as much as the other floors. The planning and designing that goes into a renovation is incredibly important and how much you do will have a noticeable effect on the budget. So consider these tips and for more suggestions ask your contractor.