In 2022 it turns out that only 19% of homes are built with basements according to the NAHB analysis of the Survey of Construction (SOC). This article is only for the 19%, we’re going to go over renovating your basement into a living space made just for you and your family. We’ll cover the benefits of renovating, how to plan for the renovation, design ideas, and how to make sure your new basement has a healthy environment.
Benefits of a Basement Renovation
Additional Living Space
Renovating your basement can have multiple benefits for you and your home. One benefit is a new living space. You can renovate your basement to hold another bedroom, or depending on the size of your basement it can turn into a little apartment equipped with a bathroom and a kitchenette.
Increased Property Value
Not only does a finished basement up your living space but it also ups the property value of your home. On average, a finished basement can provide a 70%-75% return on your investment.
Versatile Uses
You can transform your basement into whatever you wish. If you need some space to yourself you can create a room designed for you, whether that be a home office, yoga studio, home theater, or even a fun room for your kids. It truly can become whatever you wish it to be.
Planning Your Basement Renovation
Assessing the Space
This is a very important part before considering renovating. You need to check if your basement might have any troubles like excess moisture that a humidifier struggles to control or if there is any structural integrity issues that need to be addressed immediately.
Setting a Budget
Setting a budget depends on a few factors like what you are renovating your basement into and when you would like it to be finished. But here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Contact licensed contractors and get an estimate
2. Get a permit and inspections
3. Break down cost
4. Use a budget calculator
5. Make a list of ‘must-haves’ and ‘not necessary’
6. Add 10-20% to final budget as a contingency
Hiring Professionals
You may want to keep the budget for a renovation as low as you can but when it comes to hiring someone to renovate your basement I highly recommend hiring a professional. Now you do need to be careful in which professional to hire, some could say they’re professionals but do not have the right permits and licenses. Make sure to check that their papers are all in order check reviews on them and ask around if it’s a local company. It’s also a good idea to have more than one contractor look to give you an estimate.
Design and Layout Ideas
Open Concept vs. Defined Spaces
When renovating a basement, one of the key decisions is whether to go for an open concept or defined spaces. Each option has its unique benefits and can cater to different needs depending on how you plan to use the space.
Open Concept
An open-concept layout is ideal for those who want a spacious, airy feel in their basement. By eliminating walls and barriers, the space feels larger and more inviting, making it perfect for various multi-functional uses:
Studio Space/Bedroom: An open-concept studio basement can serve multiple purposes, blending a sleeping area with a small living room or office. This setup is great for creating a flexible space that guests or family members can use.
Home Theater: An open layout works well for a home theater setup, allowing you to create a seamless entertainment zone that flows into other areas like a bar, lounge, or game room.
Play Area: For families with children, an open play area in the basement provides a safe and spacious environment for kids to enjoy while allowing adults to use adjacent spaces for other activities.
An open concept provides flexibility and is particularly good for maximizing light and creating a versatile space for entertaining or relaxing.
Defined Spaces
Defined spaces involve creating separate rooms or zones within the basement, each with a specific purpose. This approach offers more privacy and organization, which is ideal for households that need distinct functional areas:
Living Space (Bedroom, Bathroom, Kitchen): For those looking to create a full basement apartment or in-law suite, defined spaces are essential. A carefully planned layout can accommodate a bedroom, kitchenette, bathroom, and even a small living area, turning the basement into an independent living space.
Home Offices: With more people working from home, a dedicated office space in the basement offers a quiet and productive environment away from the main living areas. Defined rooms help minimize distractions and maintain focus.
Home Gym Sections: For fitness enthusiasts, having a designated area for gym equipment keeps the workout zone organized and separate from leisure areas, maintaining a clutter-free environment.
Defined spaces can help maintain order and provide a sense of separation, making them suitable for activities that require focus, privacy, or quiet.
Combining Both Concepts
For homeowners who want to enjoy the benefits of both an open concept and defined spaces, a hybrid approach can offer the best of both worlds. This method allows for flexibility while maintaining some level of separation:
Half Walls or Dividers: Incorporating half walls, bookcases, or sliding barn doors can subtly define areas without fully enclosing them. This helps maintain an open feel while still providing a degree of privacy.
Zoning Techniques: Use different design elements like flooring, ceiling treatments, or lighting to visually separate various zones within an open-concept basement. For example, a carpeted area could denote a cozy reading nook, while tiles or hardwood define a kitchenette or bar area.
Multi-Functional Rooms: Consider designing rooms that can serve multiple purposes. For instance, a guest room can also function as a home office or hobby space with the right furniture and design elements.
By thoughtfully combining open and defined spaces, you can create a basement layout that is both functional and flexible, meeting a variety of needs and preferences.
Lighting Solutions
Depending on the type of ‘vibe’ you want the basement can also determine the type of lighting you could have. For a more fun space, you could use LED-colored lights that can change depending on what you want. For a home theater, you can have dimmer lights to get the best lighting for any movie. But overall a good light is a cool LED recessed lighting that has a blue undertone to it.
Flooring Options
So many options for flooring your basement, from classic beige-white carpet to a symmetrical tile. But you have to keep in mind the durability of the flooring, moisture resistance, and the ease of installation. Luxury vinyl plank is one of the most popular flooring due to its durability and easy-to-clean material. Porcelain tile is also a good option if you want a water-resistant material. You can also add rugs onto the floor to add a pop of color or a more cozy feeling.
Ensure a Healthy Basement Environment
Moisture Control
Basements are known to have a wet, moisture-filled environment and that’s a recipe for mold growth. To make sure that doesn’t happen it would be wise to invest in a good quality humidifier. A good way to test the humidity levels in the air is with a hygrometer.
Ventilation and Air Quality
No one likes a stuffy room, with or without humidity, and one way to help that is with proper ventilation. Make sure during the renovation you insist on having vents going into the basement, it may be costly but it’s essential. Good air quality is important if you want the basement to be a livable space where you will spend a good amount of time. Poor air quality can affect your health in a very negative way and no one wants that.
The Role of Air Filters
If you want to have good air quality in your basement, as well as the rest of your home, air filters are the way to go. There are different types of air filters to choose from but the most popular option is pleated air filters. You can even get pleated air filters with infused charcoal that will help eliminate odors as well. Don’t forget to check on the MERV rating, the higher the MERV rating the more air pollutants are captured.
Conclusion
Renovations are a lot of hard work, time, and money but the final results are well worth it. Keep in mind the benefits of renovating, how to plan for the renovation, design ideas, and how to make sure your new basement has a healthy environment. Once you have your basement all renovated make sure you spend enough time down there and appreciate the hard work that went into it and appreciate your design come to life.
