If you’re like most people, your basement does double or even triple duty. It might be a laundry room as well as a workshop, and there’s probably an area used for storage, too.
So, what if you want a basement renovation that carves out an area for some living space? Will you have to move all the other types of areas to another part of the house?
Not at all. The secret is to utilize space-economizing methods to create a multi-use basement that serves many needs.
Analyze Your Needs for the Basement
The first step in this type of basement conversion is to analyze the current uses in the area and look for ways to make them more efficient so they can take up less space. Consider:
- Investing in a stackable washer and dryer and a hinged table that you can fold up when you’re not doing laundry. Remodeling contractors can help you determine where and how to incorporate this, and make sure your laundry area is plumbed correctly.
- Including movable floor-to-ceiling shelves for all those storage boxes and bins. Organize and consolidate the contents so you have fewer containers to store.
- Using shelves or work tables mounted on rolling bases to organize tools, crafting supplies, or household equipment. You can roll it out of the way when it’s not in use.
Creating a Multi-Use Basement
After your areas are well-separated, use curtains, folding partitions, or interior walls to delineate them. This helps make sure things like lint, dust, and wood chips don’t find their way into your living space. Try to put push these “work areas” to one side of your basement so the area closest to the stairs or exterior door contains the new living area.
The basement renovation area can be walled off from the rest of the basement and even have a different flooring from the rest of the basement. You can add heat, recessed lighting, and new ceiling coverings to improve the warmth and appeal of the new space.
Consider using a remodeling contractor to finish off the new living area. Experienced contractors can design the project in a way that lets you eventually expand the room, if you choose. They know which types of flooring work best on basement concrete, and can help you get proper permits for the renovation, as well. A home with increased square footage of living space has an increased market value.
Be sure to select a basement remodeling contractor with references. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau and your state contractors’ board. A good contractor can give you all you were hoping for, and more, in a basement remodel.
8 Essential Elements for Perfect Gamerooms
January 5th, 2010 by admin
Have you always wanted a gorgeous gameroom, but never knew quite how to design it? Keep in mind these essential elements for gamerooms and you can play to your heart’s content in no time!
Need help? Find a remodeling pro near you.
- A separate decor. Make your gameroom distinctive from the rest of the house. When you walk through the door of your gameroom, it should immediately relax you–that’s the whole point of gamerooms! Use a light, fun decor that is very different from the rest of the house.
- Lots of space. Your gameroom should have plenty of room for the family to move around. If you choose to put a pool table or other large gaming equipment in the room, make sure you have ample room on all sides.
- Games for everyone. The appeal of gamerooms easily transcends age. Make sure the activities in your gameroom offer something for everyone. For instance, a casino poker table might be great for the adults, nestled right beside a cute checkers table for the kids.
- Sporting spirit! Part of the appeal of gamerooms is showing your sporting spirit, so consider decor that reflects your favorite teams. Everything from team logos and colors to framed jerseys makes for an interesting look.
- Soundproofing. Want to yell at the top of your lungs when you see your favorite team score that touchdown on your bigscreen television? Good insulation or soundproofing material on the walls of your gameroom ensures you can cheer as enthusiastically as you like–no matter the volume.
- Comfy furniture. If you’re going to play a video game for hours on end, you need a comfortable chair to rest in. Bean bag furniture, recliners, long couches, and other lounging furniture are essential pieces of any gameroom’s decor. If you want to save money and get furniture that is already broken-in, hit up thrift stores and yard sales.
- Keepsakes. Gamerooms are meant to reflect fun and enthusiasm, so they are the perfect place for those vintage keepsakes. Vintage posters, neon signs, clocks with team logos, and even an old jukebox are the perfect accessories for your gameroom.
- Visuals and sound. No gameroom is complete without a television for watching the big game. A surround-sound system can bring the action even closer, and also works well for those times when only great music on the stereo will do.
Are you ready to create a gameroom that is the envy of all your neighbors? Let the games begin!
About the Author: Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
Easy Basement Renovations & Other Home Renovation Ideas
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8 Essential Elements for Perfect Gamerooms